friday, 19 august 2005

Today ,feeling the pressures of working entirely too much, I ventured out taking a day off to explore some of the cities offerings for the festival. I went to the Edinburgh College of Art. ECA has on display, in conjunction with the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, works by Jannis Kounellis. I was told about the exhibition from a friend under the advisement that it was worth checking out and it proved to be worth every second i spent there. Often times when I engage a piece for the first time, I begin to dissect the layers of how it was made as trying to inform myself of some practise or technique of which I may not be aware. I entered the sculpture court unaware. Before me, laid out filling the entire sculpture court, was this sculptural installation 2,250 x 700 x 305 cm (73.8 x 22.96 x 10 ft.). The number of 'steel crosses' lined up as if it were a crowd gathering, migrating from the doorway across the collage of Middle Eastern and North African rugs arranged in a large rectangle outlining the domicile. At the peak of this 'forest' are meat hooks supporting a coat and hat. This untitled piece was constructed in 2004 for the Modern Art Oxford. I circled the piece looking for direction into the statement. My first impression was that these steel constructions called crosses resembled battlements used in defending a territory. The way they seemed obtrusive to the situation of the rugs gave them the appearance that they do not belong there/ had been placed there by someone other than the inhabitiants of the rugs. The nature of the coat and hat hung off the crosses in theis setting to me represents someone making this place their home. An invasion. the warm welcoming rugs versus the cold steel constructions. The western cultural influence of dress hung over the home of the Middle Eastern and North African rugs.The 'crosses' as described by the artist in the materials part of the tag for this piece adds another layer of symbolism to the artwork. What are the barricades/ crossses meant to protect? Whom are they meant to protect? This was my impression. I suggest everyone go and enjoy the magnitude of this installation.