Zadie Xa's work was bright, colourful, immersive. The floor was a mirrored gold material (you had to take your shoes off to go in) that reflected and amplified all the colour and pattern. There was also a soundtrack (which I couldn't really make sense of with my hearing impairment) but apparently included the sounds of the sea, whale song, ticking clocks and fragments of dystopian text. There were recurring motifs of shells and sea creatures, with a hanging shell-like form made of shamanic bells.
You know my love of colour and stained glass and here was a richness that was almost overwhelming. It struck me in some ways as being a bit 'overthought', though I enjoyed the exuberance of it.
The one I liked least of the four exhibits was Rene Matic's autobiographical installation, questioning identity, culture, society and how we find a sense of belonging. It consisted of photos, flags (No Place... For Violence) and a bizarre collection of old, damaged and broken black dolls. I couldn't decide whether I was supposed to feel sorry for them, or offended by them as symbols of patronising colonialism. I'm afraid I found this all rather uncomfortable, ugly, angry and jarring and a bit 'teenage' - as I was no doubt meant to! Compared to the others, it seemed to me to have little 'artistic' merit/skill, being rather a commentary on modern life.
It'll be interesting to see which one wins the prize of £25,000 - life-changing money for an artist, no doubt. The runners-up get £10,000 each, not to be sniffed at.
I also preferred Zadie Xa's work, but didn't feel it needed the reflecting floor. The bam I liked of the colors compared to seashells was just enough for this old lady. All the double versions were just more than I wanted.
ReplyDeleteGreat color in the first ones--though a bit overwhelming. And the black dolls are just sad.
ReplyDelete