 Psycho Buildings at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank |
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Wednesday, June 25 2008 @ 10:31 AM BST
Author: Barney. Views: 33
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This isn't the first time I have been misinformed by the way the Hayward markets its shows. 'Artists take on architecture' was the strap line and I expected architectural designs and models with a twist, but what we found was a poorly presented 6th Form End of Year Show (no disrespect to 6th formers intended).
There appeared to be no flow to the works, rooms filled with whatever would fit. No thought in to how these were presented or how access was to be achieved. Michael Beutler's [Awaiting Title] 2008 was paper mesh maze that looked like it's reason of existence was decided with hindsight, as opposed to a having a creative force behind it. Do Ho Suh's Staircase -V and Mike Nelson's To The Memory of HP Lovecraft looked to me as they were included due to their ability to create as opposed to their creative ability.
Tomas Sareceno's Observatory was a fun fair ride that adults can act as
kids, but feel far more cultured than if they'd just gone to
Chessington. You lie on the floor, while other people crawl around
above you on see through plastic, 'as if they are floating', no, as if
they are crawling around on plastic above you.
Los Carpinteros' Show Room, 2008 was my highlight, where you could feel
the energy of an incoming blast in to a quiet room. Pieces of brick
and masonry suspended in the air giving the idea of a snapshot of time
and event. It looked like there was thought behind this piece, as they
had spent time and effort in their thought, planning and execution.
The Gelitin piece of the rowing boats on the roof was closed for
maintenance, so with no reduction in entrance fee, I thought the �10 on
the door was a bit steep.
I have seen some excellent shows at The Hayward such as the Facts of
Life Contemporary Japanese show a few years back, but this was not in
the same category. I felt cheated as I left.
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An interesting review.
If a venue have a centrepiece to the whole exhibition, and that's missing when you get there - I think you have a right to complain.
It's not clear how long Gelatin's 'Normally, Proceeding and Unrestricted With Without Title, 2008' aka the boating lake is closed for. I see the website also has a disclaimer saying that access to Observatory is limited and it may be closed if the weather's bad as well!
It seems that actually, artists probably *shouldn't* take on architecture as they can't do the job very well.
There's a similar problem here in Worthing, where the Suncloud sculpture at Splash Point is apparently in trouble. Work was due to start in March, but I understand the artist has now said it can't be completed to the original specification within the agreed budget. Watch this space..
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Dan Thompson
RAG