Over time I have looked at a few galleries, art installations or events around Tāmaki Makarau. I have be come aware or interested in the installation of work, how it is shown and displayed to communicate ideas. Installation is something that can help elevate work but can also get in the way of work, how the viewer interacts and observes work is something which I believe is of importance.
Artspace Aotearoa showcased a bundle of students from various backgrounds and practices. I found myself viewing the installation choices of the artists selected through out the exhibition, looking at how the works were set up with in the small perimeters of the space giving life and showing ideas through these tight installs. Presentation using floor and walls has always drawn me in, utilising how work can be interacting with architecture can bring awareness to the multiple uses and layers to a work.
Tim Melville showed a range of paintings, I enjoyed the expressive nature of the paintings. But focusing on in the installation I like the grouping of works communicating off one another, the row of smaller works are ‘nice’ but would possibly be nice to see how they work next to or off of the larger works, seeing the colours communicate over arching all the works, the small ones grouped almost lose their stature and become these almost ‘mini’ paintings of the large as they are separated working as trials for the larger works.
Womens Photography show, I really loved navigating around these structures which held up the works, the display worked well allowing the viewer to move around, gaps reveal on coming structures but also level the eye to where the work is, I enjoyed the hidden feeling walking through them. It almost makes me miss using structures within my own work and seeing how it could work in new spaces and ideas.
Sonya Laceys work contained this large projection, the length physically engaged myself, and almost wished it was down a corridor or longer, leaving sections to rest where other parts are left for a closer interaction to walk past, there was a sense of endlessness, the video constantly turning over not quite stopping but slowly shifting and changing. the smaller works sitting along side how ever beautiful felt almost out of place compared to the smaller projection, but in saying that worked very well as their own piece. I very much enjoyed the structure in the middle of the room.
Emily Karaka at vision, the use of space although was small with large work did not feel cramped or that the works were being lost, attention was given to each work through the two rooms which held a variety of work, I enjoyed the presentation and how work was different, Kauri leaves infused made my mind race with ideas and possibilities of infusion and incorporation of materials with in my own work. The scale, large, elevated the seriousness in the work, the writing with in the work also stands out and at the scale it brought me into the works and helped me to engage with them. The colours used felt right and balanced, although the colours were very rich in some works they were balanced out and not taking over.
Looking inside a house to see work is almost awkward, like peering into a random house it feels confronting, but the way about it is quiet interesting and I liked ideas from the viewing experience of the viewable but not fully interacting, only allowed at a distance on the other side of walls and glass.
Llenyd Price 