Discussion: Installed Text and Image

-Edited from conversation about preliminary ideas for Rosanne Robertson’s piece for ‘All Systems Go’ with James Pepper. This lifted section of the conversation focuses on text and image

Rosanne Robertson: I was interested in Arshille Gorky's later sketches and studies- Tate Modern- Arshile Gorky, A retrospective- that outlined certain areas within which a kind of colour sample would be put in. I found it to be like conceptual painting- you had to finish the painting off yourself.  There were hints of what a filled canvas would be like but you weren’t presented with it. This translated to the later paintings rather than the ‘full’ luscious earlier (pre studio fire) work. The paintings retained the 'diagram' qualities of the sketches, starting an action but not finishing it which leaves it opens to the viewer to finish based on the information given.

An artist whose work has been on my mind since a show of their’s at Castlefield Gallery called Private Party. Keep Out. Is Manuel Saiz. In particularly pieces ‘What is Art Flowchart’, ‘Pride’ and also his book ‘101 excuses’. Saiz uses text to create pieces that question the legitimisation of art often using formats that speak of authority and truth e.g. charts, plaques and books. Reading ‘101 Excuses’ made me laugh and it also blighted my artistic thought processes. Saiz predicts outcomes and categorises ideas being ready with excuses /reasons in answer to anything that proposes itself as art. His tongues in cheek text pieces are both depressingly accurate and brilliantly funny. For me they conjure the feelings of impotence when trying to create something new. This is what I am working/thinking around at the minute. I  have been trying to pinpoint something that I had previously had in the back of mind and also what Saiz brought about with me with this book, I  haven’t questioned these areas through a piece yet- so i would like to with the next show.

Manual Saiz- What is Art Flow Chart, Pride and 101 excuses book, 2009.

'All Sytems Go' space

Preview of gallery space for 'All Systems Go'. UAG will be exhibiting as part of this show due to open the first week in June.

Artist/Viewer at Mill24- Rosanne Robertson

Rosanne Robertson shows in Mill24, 25th April.

Mill24 at Islington Mill, Salford was survival of the artyest (or the least hungover) and my piece was showing from 3-4pm on the Sunday. Bearing in mind people had been indulging in the extended opening/mini exhibition since 6pm the evening before and it had started raining quite heavily it was quite a quiet afternoon. This was drastic in comparison to the busy stairwells and tables full of art goers in the courtyard out beside mcwhippy the previous night. This did not take away from my experience in the gallery space, the space was perfect for the piece and artist/photographer Jamie Crawford did a fantastic job with the photography which was an integral part of the performance/installation.

'Artist/Viewer' 2009/10 Installation shot

There was a slow stream of viewers for the installation/performance with equal time spent sharing the space with the viewer and alone with the installation and the photographer. Standing alone (apart from a photographer) in a gallery space as part of a performance with no one viewing the work is quite the experience. When people visited the space i really felt the tension caused by having the artist as part of the installation and with the viewer when watching the video.

All in all I was very happy with how the piece turned out in it's new manifestation and I am looking forward to working with the footage from it. The second instalment of Mill24 will be 29/30th May check out http://mill24.blogspot.com/ for line up.