(Half)round-table, IfREX
On Thursday 22 April, the class reassembled for their regular round-table discussion with Olafur. Before that got underway, there were some more presentations (less parachute-like this time) from students who had either been unable to attend the week before and some students, those who had been away from the school for a while, presented their work for a second time those so that Olafur could see what they had been doing. There was much more discussion at the end of presentations and at times I felt that the atmosphere was rather charged as I listened to critiques, debates, and differences in opinion. Questions were varied, addressing not only site-specificity but how works might relate to art history, various techniques for sensing space, and exploring art as an object and/or experience.
A few hours later, the ’round-table’ began (although not at a round-table, which is half dismantled) and was primarily concerned with the forthcoming Keller exhibition, where the students will all show some of their work and reflect some of what they have been doing over the last two semesters. There was mention of a discussion last semester (perhaps another round-table discussion) where they re-considered the rules of what a show can be. Although the discussion did not lead anywhere in particular (and why should it?) the group have continued to re-evaluate making and presenting art. Olafur argued that experiments provided some sort of tentative foundation precisely for these re-conceptualisations; experiments as building stones for re-consideration. However, he also made the point that the students should only push for radical or avant-garde art if is what they want and that they should think carefully about what it is they are doing and why. Next time they have a show, it was suggested, they might work within the imposed constraint of pretending exhibitions had never been invented: how, then, might they display and share their work?
There was a lengthy discussion about the title of the Keller exhibition, with everyone keen to be involved in the naming process. I was asked to think of a name but since then, all the suggestions I have made to students has been met with blank looks. How to have a title for a group show, which is composed of autonomous works? It is a very diverse group and I opted for vague, general titles (such as ‘A series of spatial experiments’ and another, inspired by Erin Manning1, called ‘timed spaces / spaced times’). I’m curious to see what title they do settle on, but in the meantime feel free to suggest titles below!
One of the other issues which came up included a book IfREX are working on, due to be completed towards the end of this semester alongside another show (the Rundgang). The book, it is hoped, will not represent the show but look to amplify its qualities; to see the book as an extension of the show. The plan is for it to not be an introduction to the students’ work but rather to engage more specifically with the work done at the school. I am sure this topic will return over the forthcoming weeks and I look forward to following the book’s life. Perhaps it might be possible for me to contribute something to it, time will tell.
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- “Politics of touch imply reachings toward the world that create timed spaces and spaced times that themselves create bodies in relation. Bodies interrelate, extending form into matter and matter into form.” (my emphasis)
In: Manning, E. (2007) Politics of Touch: Sense, Movement, Sovereignty. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. p.xix ↩
This post is tagged art, avant-garde, collective, IfREX