The Restless Earth
I managed to squeeze into this exhibition on the last day.
And how lucky I was.
Full Disclaimer:
I must confess, when it comes to art and art organisations, I may be (very) swayed to go see a show because of the types of work shown .
So when I saw the words Trussardi Foundation, I was fairly interested in knowing what the exhibition was about.
A while back, when I was sitting on the plane, the in flight entertainment had a documentary on the Trussardi Foundation. Whilst I'm familiar with the fashion brand, I'm unfamiliar with their Foundation and the types of art that was shown.
To my surprise, the Foundation looks for very interesting usually derelict, unused, almost ruin-liked spaces as their site.
This very much resonated with me and I very much can appreciate their efforts because:
From an operational and logistical standpoint, the amount of work which has to be put in endless.
You have to be VERY committed in order to bring this type of exhibition to life.
There aren't enough entities doing this type of work.
Lastly, coincidentally this is the type of work I make.
Let's get started Trying to Understand Self.
We are after all only knackered from walking to La Triennale, that should not have any effects on how we engage with our eyes and brain relationship.
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Greeted at the entrance with these mud flags, my Artist Self was highly highly excited.
TTUS: This is pretty, and also a lot of happening with the flags and the car and the painting. What are you looking at and where are the eyes focusing?
AS: Um, the flags.
Just the flags because Come On.
This is so reminiscent of Richard Long's work.
Who doesn't like a good interactive piece where you can go up and literally smell the mud (of course so long as no docent gives you the death look).
TTUS: đ¤đ
AS: I think it's important to get the senses into this.
I don't mean like logic sense, but rather our 5 senses and in order to really get into a piece of work, being the synaesthesiac that I am, it is very important to indulge my senses for the full experience.
Things to think about: The crustiness of the dried mud, what the mud is made of, the light and shadow of the way it's hung.
Agree? Equally as into it as me?
TTUS: đł
AS: Fine, just me.
Moving on then.
AS: This image is absolutely haunting. Yet strikingly beautiful and to the point.
TTUS: What is it?
AS: This is part of a series of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking New Photography.
This image specifically are of life jackets.
The remnants of safety garments that's left behind from refugees.
Despite the fact that it's utterly grim, the composition and colours really remind me of Edward Burtynsky.
This is from the About section of Burtynsky's website:
Exploring the Residual Landscape
Nature transformed through industry is a predominant theme in my work. I set course to intersect with a contemporary view of the great ages of man; from stone, to minerals, oil, transportation, silicon, and so on. To make these ideas visible I search for subjects that are rich in detail and scale yet open in their meaning. Recycling yards, mine tailings, quarries and refineries are all places that are outside of our normal experience, yet we partake of their output on a daily basis.
These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire - a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction. For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times.
Nickel Tailings #34-35 (as diptych) - Sudbury, Ontario 1996
The startling colours are those we see when lava flows from an erupting volcano, which is perhaps why we immediately associate this image with natural disaster. In actual fact, the intense reds and oranges are caused by the oxidation of the iron that is left behind in the process of separating nickel and other metals from the ore.
Because it's always important to have a flat lay shot.
And because it's important to wear sensical shoes when you're trekking around.
In conclusion: This is a beautiful exhibition and I'm so glad I was able to see it on the last day.
Task: I wish you told me to make such thoughtful and interesting work. đ
