Near and Far Part I

Grand Parades current exhibition, Here and Now Part I, showcases an eclectic mix of mid degree level work. The attempt at the integration of all four courses by Barry Barker produced a disjointed, enlivened but not coherent exhibition.

The sheer amount of work resulted in it feeling cramped at times and any useable space being allocated to students. Any blank wall was used, regardless of how suitable or viable for the viewer. It did create a busy, livened environment but at times I think the work suffered from the lack of space, with too much work on one wall and pieces displayed along a busy corridor.

That said the most interesting part of exhibition for me was a direct response to this lack of space, where some of the students had been more experimental with their use of the space. Reacting insightfully to otherwise overlooked areas of the space pieces such as the spider installation displayed their work in a more considered, site specific way, within the main gallery but viewable in its entirety only from the mezzanine level.

The piece that most captivated me was Near and Far. A steel and glass staircase leading up towards a bell was, for me, the most complete and successful of all the work. The sensation of being at once both near and far, of the bell being just out of reach whilst ultimately inaccessible was all clearly communicated within the structure itself. The temptation to ring the bell, to use it and animate it only heightens your sense of distance and the fragility of the glass as a material reinforces its do not touch, do not use purpose within the gallery space. The piece clearly articulated its intended response and I don’t think necessarily needed this reinforcing in its title.

Independently the work stands well alone however the chaotic curation let down some of the students, often overwhelming the smaller, more intimate pieces.