On Demand
Brooklyn Artists Respond to Olafur Eliason
By Andrea Silenzi
July 29, 2008
Last Saturday, I signed a waiver and climbed into the Repetti Gallery’s new, crumbling warehouse space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They will be moving there this fall after renovations, but first the gallery’s director Sam Farnsworth and curator William McMillan wanted to open the space up in all its charming decay for a grand, artistic response.
Inside, surrounded by all kinds of peeling and crumbling, is displayed the work of 12 artists, taking on the works of the international artist Olafur Eliasson (known this summer for his Waterfalls and all the grumbling they seem to inspire). The title of the show is an apt spoof on his recent MOMA/PS.1 show “Take Your Time” called, “It’s About Time, Man.”
Download Video You can also find the Youtube version here.
The show will be up at the Repetti Gallery (155 Freeman Street) until August, 24th by appointment only.
So, what to do you think: is this show simply a response? Is it a criticism? Satire? Remix? Or is it just plain art? And, if you were to remake Eliasson’s Waterfalls on little-to-no budget, what would you do?
Comments
Comment from nyfixit
Date: July 30, 2008, 7:28 pm
Melissa,
The foggy effect looked good and probably even better in person. Your comments to your piece were very professional and you made your parents very proud of you.
(again and again and again).
Dad and Mom
Comment from Andrew
Date: July 31, 2008, 6:10 pm
This is really fascinating. It’s especially interesting to hear contemporary artists commenting upon and engaging the work of another, I think relatively young, contemporary artist; this strikes me as unusual and exciting. Thank you for the piece!
Comment from Franklin Veneziano
Date: July 31, 2008, 6:24 pm
I enjoyed the juxtaposition of David’s rejection of a scientific approach and Nikita’s embrace of it.
Comment from David
Date: August 5, 2008, 1:33 pm
I just want to clarify. My problem with Eliasson is his discussion of beauty in scientific terms.. To me it is related to concepts of “perfect ratios” and an absolute truths. I feel manipulated… also. I think that alot of his work falls flat due to the tremendous production. I just don’t care if the walls turn pink and orange when I know that there are just some lights behind the wall turning off and on moving around a bit. The completed picture that my mind creates when confronted by his work is clunky.. it doesn’t take me away to an abstract place with possibilities.
I would say that my approach was somewhat scientific. I just changed the scale, which, I think, removed the ominous quality.. leaving a simplistic piece with not a lot to offer aside of a bit of humor and a good photo op. Either way, an interesting experiment.-D
Comment from April
Date: September 10, 2008, 11:41 am
The potential perfection of the human body is a testament to just how beautiful science can be. As I see it, the geometric concept of symmetry, statistical concept of the perfect ratio and even concepts related to quantum physics, such as the “perfect circle” or orb that is the space/time continuum, are no different.
When we think about creating “art” from a scientific perspective, let us not forget that scientists can’t fake talent. The same cannot always be said for artists, which is why I think it takes an exceptionally talented and forward-thinking artist to embrace a cohesion of science and “art,” as termed in the classical sense. Well done.
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