Creativity and the Arts #3

The 2008 Biennale of Sydney

REVOLUTIONS :: Forms that turn

Revolutions is a historic look at the contemporary art world. It shows works through different eras that questioned the norm, that comments on world and art of ages past. It is one of the most over-stimulating and overwhelming exhibitions I have been to.

There was so much crammed into the exhibition. There were kinetic works that demanded your engagement there were mirrored reflections, soundscapes, bells ringing, whiteboard art, optic illusions, films, moving walls, sketches, paintings, styrofoam artworks that looked like they were breathing and more... It was hard to focus and fully give your attention to the artwork in front of you.

This exhibition is trying to explore the idea of creating possibilities from going against the mainstream or dominant perspective. When we are able to steer away from the hum-drum, safe, same old same old, traditional, proven ways of old, we free our minds to the endless creative power and choices of fashioning something new or exploring the vast alternatives. I think this is a great theme to explore, but not sure if the collection as a whole said this or whether a whole lot of artworks individually said this.

One of the clearest examples of what this exhibition is trying to explore is Duchamp's bicycle wheel. It is placed upside down. It alters our perception of what a wheel is. It makes you think, doesn't it? What is it's purpose? What is it if now it's upside down and functionless?

There was soundscape by a Japanese artist. The viewer was drawn in to press a button and hold it down to experience the different bells that rung. The button was bells throughout the exhibition forcing people to be apart of the work whether they chose to participate or not. And so it would scare people, annoy people, and disturb tours. I found it hilarious that one of the tour guides told a viewer that they needed to stop pressing the bell as her group is unable to hear her. I listened in to the lady's judgement on this bell artwork and she decided that the artist was wrong in calling it a sound landscape and should rather be called a sound sculpture. How presumptuous, especially at an exhibition that is supposed to alter perceptions and get you questioning?? Maybe it did get the guide questioning, hence her conclusion and so the artwork has fulfilled its point?

The works that got me thinking the most were the one about mass production, the facelessness of life as a number and the mundane nature of life. It reminded me of Ecclesiastes and the meaninglessness of vapour. It made me sad and was slightly depressing. I really appreciated the amazing technical detail in the works!

Another highlight was a patron in bare feet. The art gallery space is one of my favourite places for the same reason I like Airports. Both these spaces host a strange and diverse bunch of people all with their own stories and quirky behaviours. I love to work out who they are, what relationships they are in, what their occupation is and why they are where they are? So much fun!

Wasn't the biggest fan of this collection. It gave me a headache!