'Joy In People', Jeremy Deller, Hayward Gallery

Jeremy Deller was exhibiting another project in the Hayward Gallery alongside David Shrigley.
"Jeremy Deller is an artist – but you’d never think he was, at least not in the traditional sense. He won the Turner Prize in 2004, yet he didn’t go to art school, and readily admits that he cannot sculpt or paint." ( Alastair Sooke - 27/2/12 - The telegraph) The work of Jeremy Deller is very hard to comprehend and explain. His work is very literal, random and often interactive. For example In the Hayward Gallery placed centrally in the middle of the gallery is a knocked up snack bar called Valerie's snack bar which was originally created to take part acting as a float in Manchester’s international festival in 2009. Visitors around the gallery can order tea and sit on round red plastic chairs surrounded by fluorescent signs which advertises toasted tea cakes, cakes and bacon sandwiches.(Alastair Sooke)

Images sourced from "The Telegraph"

"Open bedroom" was another instillation which was very random and original. Deller had created a bedroom alike his childhood bedroom in the 1980's. The room was interactive where the audience could open the cupboards, wardrobe and to look through his personal objects and drawings he'd created. This instillation invites his audience into a real personal space to which the viewer creates an insight into the type of person who lived in this room. This is due to the posters, t-shirts and newspapers around his bedroom creating a persona of someone who likes music, a more graphic approach to art and flags and banners which create an element of protesting.

Images sourced from "The Telegraph"

I liked this instillation as in terms of invading someone’s personal space it was obviously created to state a point to the viewers regarding his persona, protest and his political views. I enjoyed engaging within his work by the idea of interaction because it opens the work to a wider audience and creates a positive, fun atmosphere.

David Shrigley - Brain activity

A visit to the David Shrigley gallery was definitely the only gallery I’ve ever been in fits of laughter in. The main aspect of this gallery which is the reasoning for laughter I personally think is down to how much Shrigleys work relates to everyday life. Shrigley covers a wide range of art, he looks at drawing, photography, animation, film, painting, scultpture and taxidermy. Walking around The Hayward Gallery you can interact with each instillation, whether its a hole in the wall which your suppose to crawl through, and instillation in the lift or a 15 metre tall stick man with body labels such as "Bangers and Mash", "Mole" etc.

I’ve chosen to write my review on this gallery purely because I found it so interesting and feel enthusiastic to write about it.

 

Forum discussions

Over the second semester I have taken part in forums to discuss various different topics. I’ve enjoyed responding to them as it’s another way to gain more knowledge and it gets you thinking about different things and looking at other peoples perspectives.

The first discussion I contributed to was regarding the topic "Analogue vs Digital"
This was my response..

"I defiantly agree with the majority of comments. Analogue photography allows you to create imagery first hand which is a pure representation. You spend more time planning and fixing the lighting in a shoot to perfection due to the limited shots that you can have. Digital just encourages you to take more less thoughtful photographs because you can edit and delete after therefore not being as rewarding.

Responding to Phillipa’s comment about people who photograph using really expensive equipment I personally don’t find their work as interesting. When looking at photographs in gallery’s and reading about how it was created, I’m much more interested in someone’s work that’s been created using a cheap old film camera which they’ve processed and printed from themselves. As oppose to a digital piece which you know the persons spent a lot of time distorting the natural aspects of the image."

I also responded to the forum about the artist Orlan.

 

 

"I agree with Megan’s statement here. After watching the video of Orlan and reading further research I was left confused and a bit disgusted if I’m honest. I find her work more shocking than interesting but maybe that’s half the reason she creates it?!
I think there’s an alternative to how she could portray her point which is less extreme than permanently altering her body.

I also agree with the fact that plastic surgery should only be used for medical reasons. I might be taking this to the extreme, but some people who have to have plastic surgery could consider this as offensive, because I doubt they could understand why someone would do this to themselves off their own back. "

Arnolfini - Bristol

I went to the Arnolfini to see the work of Sophy Rickett called "To The River" and Shilpa Gupta. Ricketts latest installation "To The River" was inspired by the Severn Bore, Which is "an amazing phenomenon of nature whereby a large tidal wave runs along the River Severn during the moon's equinox" (Arnolfini - 2012) Her installation incorporates video using surround sound to create an intense effect on the environment which creates an atmosphere of anticipation imitating the crown on the banks next to the river, awaiting the tidal surge.
Within the room there was three projectors demonstrating crowds of spectators which could be perceived as claustrophobic at some points.

 

We then went upstairs to explore the other installations and the next one was created by Shilpa Gupta's and called "Singing Cloud". Gupta creates her work using a variety of media including video, objects and photography and also using sound to explore themes such as human rights, conflict, security and technology.
"Someone else" is a cluster of 4000 black microphones which is hung from the ceiling. The microphones emit sounds which travel "in ripples over the surface" (Arnolfini - 2012). It was created through various psychological tests on numerous individuals about the infliction of images. The atmosphere in the room felt very intense and everyone seemed mesmerised by the effect.

After the "Singing Cloud" Instillation the next project portrayed themes of "Borders and Crossing". The artwork consists of rolls of yellow tape which is marked with the phrase "There is no border here" in the shape of a flag. As an audience we are left to create our own ideas and response to this piece, looking at culture. I found it interesting how the last row of the "flag" has been left empty and the sentence has been stopped half way through writing it - saying "I tried very hard to cut..."

Images all sourced from "Arnolfini"