2014
Like I'm Apart
Perspex, glass, spray paint, spray paint
Dimensions variable
 |
| Photo sourced from Steven Cybulka |
 |
| Photo taken at the exhibition |
Upon visiting this work I was late and missed the artist talk by a couple of minutes. This was beneficial to me as I was thus able to experience the space free from understanding of the artist's intent. I did find that the work would be open to interpretation in the sense that it combined elements that might resonate with each viewer in a different way. The light, mirrors, photographic pieces, perspex and space of the piece to me felt very constricting and harsh. I was conflicted between two responses to the work; a) I felt as though all of the elements within the space were placed there as a potential risk to me, and b) I felt as though the artist was reflecting me, the viewer, within the work. The work made the space seem smaller than it actually is and the high number of viewers within the space added to this feeling. I felt as though I was suddenly very aware of my body in the sense that I wanted to be able to move through the space without disturbing the work; this proved to be quite challenging. I think that this was the most powerful aspect of the work. It made me not only aware of its elements in respect to the space, but also raised my aware of my own self in respect to both the space and its presence within it.
The work was interesting in that my presence affected its appearance. When walking past a section of light, my body would cause the shadow to change, ultimate changing the work. It was interesting to think about this in such an unnatural and 'made' environment; I found that upon leaving the space I was very aware of the way that my presence was altering the space around me when walking down the street to my car. I think that was the most important part of the work for me, the overwhelming sense of awareness of my physical presence and the way that it affects the environment that I am in.
I think the positioning of the work within the space was effective in the sense that it forced the viewer to carefully move through it. Had the space been larger the work would not have been as effective in creating a sense of borderline claustrophobia and and a heightened sense of awareness. The abstract forms that protruded into space that might often be considered 'personal space' by viewer were effective in achieving this.
Based on my understanding of the piece I would interpret the work to be addressing the idea of art as the simple evocation of an emotion from a viewer. The space did not intend on doing anything other than cause the viewer to feel something, anything at all. Upon leaving the space I found it interesting to think about the way that the space may have felt comforting to some viewers whilst very aggressive to others. A viewer might find comfort in the darkness and the shadows whilst others might feel widly uncomfortable and on edge. I think the piece reaffirmed the sense that installation art can have the sole purpose of getting a response from the viewer.
Although I did have reponses to the work there were sections of it that I thought I would have done different had I created the work. There were two areas within the installation where the light appeared to have been born out of the work and I thought those sections were particularly interesting and would have recreated that on different levels to give a sense of height to the work in the way of light.
The work was interesting in that my presence affected its appearance. When walking past a section of light, my body would cause the shadow to change, ultimate changing the work. It was interesting to think about this in such an unnatural and 'made' environment; I found that upon leaving the space I was very aware of the way that my presence was altering the space around me when walking down the street to my car. I think that was the most important part of the work for me, the overwhelming sense of awareness of my physical presence and the way that it affects the environment that I am in.
I think the positioning of the work within the space was effective in the sense that it forced the viewer to carefully move through it. Had the space been larger the work would not have been as effective in creating a sense of borderline claustrophobia and and a heightened sense of awareness. The abstract forms that protruded into space that might often be considered 'personal space' by viewer were effective in achieving this.
Based on my understanding of the piece I would interpret the work to be addressing the idea of art as the simple evocation of an emotion from a viewer. The space did not intend on doing anything other than cause the viewer to feel something, anything at all. Upon leaving the space I found it interesting to think about the way that the space may have felt comforting to some viewers whilst very aggressive to others. A viewer might find comfort in the darkness and the shadows whilst others might feel widly uncomfortable and on edge. I think the piece reaffirmed the sense that installation art can have the sole purpose of getting a response from the viewer.
Although I did have reponses to the work there were sections of it that I thought I would have done different had I created the work. There were two areas within the installation where the light appeared to have been born out of the work and I thought those sections were particularly interesting and would have recreated that on different levels to give a sense of height to the work in the way of light.
No comments:
Post a Comment