It’s been a busy couple of weeks and is continuing into the beginning of the next. We managed to partake in 4 exhibitions last week, another 4 this week and then another project on Monday. A theme that we’ve been considering for quite some time is gallery objects and works that encompass which intern might cause questions of all things being of artistic merit. The exhibition being discussed is part of a series of 48-hour shows, meaning that the artists have 48 hours to from receiving the brief to the private view. The title was ‘fire and light’ and so thinking about what we’ve previously just mentioned we thought that for our work that we would purchase the light bulbs to be used in the space for the show. Again, the basis of this stems from research into essential homogenous objects of the gallery set-up. Characteristics of the space also include the white walls of the gallery, the nails used to hang work and even the front desk. These unsung heroes of the white cube facilitate the viewing of art objects and subsequently the conversation that arises from them. None of this can happen without these utilitarian objects that often go unnoticed, primarily due to their domesticity. Instead of artists we then become facilitators; enabling the other work in the show to be seen but also/hopefully getting the audience to look a little closer. It’s articles with headlines like ‘man drops phone in Tate Modern and visitors think it’s art’ which bring give this idea some of its body. The notion of the white cube is crucial to the art world so looking into it is something we thoroughly enjoy. Having to search for the art is another facet of this; proposing questions or scenarios is more of our aim than solutions or explanations. We like the idea that the audience has to work a bit. In line with this ‘facilitator’ role the there was also a certificate made to let visitors know that we were the ‘Patrons of Light’. Below are some photos the light in action.
We also had isthisit ‘AFK’ which was a great success! A huge number of people came and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. However, our work in the show seemed slightly out of place against all the dazzling moving imagery and kitschy objects. Not that we believed our piece to be better or worse than those on show but due to the time based nature of so many of the other works, ours was very quickly dismissed. Again, this is in no way a comment on any being superior but just a reflection on the type of exhibition that it was. ‘Touch Me Baby’ (the show where the audience was allowed to physically interact with the work) gathered a huge crowd which is always a plus but due to the high number of people in the exhibition the piece had to be edited slightly meaning the throwing line was closer and the paper had to be kept in its packaging. All fair compromises to have the work shown to such a large number of people.
The piece we had in the 2D/4D Open Studios was exactly what we wanted it to be; very inconspicuous but not completely invisible by any stretch. It was entertaining to watch some people were looking at it gingerly like a puppy sniffing around a dead rabbit; wanting to pick it up but not sure if it was safe to do so. Having it as a permanent installation would be amusing but due to the nature of CSM being an art school it would probably be unveiled fairly quickly. Other places where there is the possibility for art and less potential for suspicion would be good, even if it were only as far Kings Cross Station.
For another show at CSM, this one occurs in the main street, called 'BIG SPACE' we were forced, due to a late Amazon order, to produce a slightly different iteration of the work ’12 Angry Men’, where we make name tags for the twelve apostles from the New Testament. The nametags did not arrive on time and therefore we had a piece of paper with all their names in a grid and a big ‘SIGN IN HERE’ sign with a pen. Included in the grid was also their dietary requirements and what time they all arrived. This combines the original idea (the one we had right at the beginning of the production process) which was to have a table and then place mats for where they were supposed to sit, and the idea we eventually landed on which was to have name tags. All in all it wasn’t so bad the package arrived late! We’ll post some updates on the other projects we’re working on next week!
