"Typically, Rolfe’s videos are shot with a daring economy and to exquisite effect that few in this medium can match. The reduction to one or two materials and gestures, this time with accompanying sound makes for all the more disturbing viewing. This exhibition has the effect of finding its way under the skin and leaving a deep impression.
On Culture Night, September 24, 2010, the artist will perform, once and for one night only, in the Green On Red Gallery the most amplified version of European Dream seen to-date. Booking will be essential. "
I mean, that sounds exciting, right? Adi and I went to the performance. Basically there was a large open room with three projection walls. On one wall there was a video of a golden hand closing into a fist and then opening. On the next wall was a projected photo of the inside of a building that was apparently the site of mass death. The final wall had a video of blue powder falling onto a hand and then at a certain point, another hand would clap into the powder - sending it scattering into the air and coating both the hands.
At "7:30 sharp" the artist (who looked creepy - like a man capable of eating your flesh) began his performance. For about twenty minutes we watched him coat his left hand in gold foil. When that part was finished, he took what looked like a flour scooper in his right hand and began pouring a pile of blue powder onto the table. Once there was a fairly large mound of powder on the table, the artist had his "gold" hand planted on the table and did a deep, staring scan of the audience. Then suddenly he plunged his face into the blue powder, smushing it around so that the blue covered his entire face. Then he looked up and did another deep staring scan at the audience. Finally, he came out from behind the table and addressed the audience - however he didn't have a microphone and didn't project, or even face the entire audience, so Adi and I missed basically everything he said about the events that inspired the exhibit. Then suddenly the artist seemed to rush out of the room crying. A couple of men in the front row certainly enjoyed it because they were very exuberant in their clapping. But Adi and I decided it was definitely the kind of art that is over our heads.
Next we tried to make it to Dance Ireland to get in a free lesson, but unfortunately the last instructor called in sick. Right, I can't imagine why a dance instructor wouldn't want to come give a free lesson to complete amateurs on a Friday night.
On the plus side, we decided to head down to Trinity College. There, we got to see the Old Library and Book of Kells exhibit. I was actually more awestruck by the Old Library. The woodwork and sheer look of the room was remarkable. They don't allow photography - even without flash. I considered breaking the rules, but with so many people around I didn't want to be a trouble maker. So the photo here is not my own and I can't claim any rights to it.Our final stop in Dublin was also on Trinity College campus - the Science Gallery. The exhibit was Bio-Rhythm: Music and the Body. It seemed like a really great place with lots of hands-on activities. Adi and I actually tried out the acoustic bed, which had speakers and sub-woofers build into the bed so that it vibrated with the music. It was interesting but also felt gross knowing how many people had been on the bed before us, even in just that one evening.
We finally headed home on the DART, but little did we know we were heading right into traffic from the Michael Buble concert. The train was delayed probably around an hour, so I was ready to crash in bed the second I got back to my dorm. All-in-all I think it was another great night.
No comments:
Post a Comment