Reykjavik Slides (31,035) Every View of a City.
1973 –1975 / 1990 – 1998.
The set-up is a multi-slide projector installation - 14 on little plinths, changing the scenes regularly, randomly. The space is a plain white cube, quite large, so there is space to walk in between and pause at each. There are large cabinets at one end containing many shelves of slide carousels, and suddenly one realises the scale and potential, that this is an ever changing library of infinite combinations.
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| dieter roth |
accessed 1st April 2011
The views are all of the Icelandic city Reykjavik, and, I discovered later, document the entire city of 31,000 buildings.
In the exhibition material it is stated that "the work is a comprehensive survey, drawing one’s attention to the subject matter of the project, rather than the role of the artist". However, I completely disagree with that. The images I found interesting in that they gave a feel for a particular place, especially in the characteristic leaden skies which made a patch of blue seem odd, but the images themselves were not outstanding in photographic or artistic terms. It was really the concept of the piece, the scale of the idea, which was engaging, and elevated each image by its context. In other words, I didn't feel the images were effective statements or insights alone, or even in groups, but within this evidence of vast obsessiveness were given added value.
I wondered while I was in the gallery what it would be like if the images projected were more diverse, or populated, or if there was any sense of juxtaposition rather than similar aspects of house after house.
I was also reminded in the gallery how much I love the slide projector. I have worked with that technology at different points, made and shown work on them. Hauser and Wirth was filled with that distinctive mechanical sound, the little chug and whir of the rotation - I know it well. I also think that it is not a technology which is outdated, even though it has been surpassed in some terms. Over the last couple of years I have seen the slide projector still very much in evidence in galleries and art fairs - the artist will use them for a long time - what could be simpler after all - it's the most straightforward form of projection, to pass light through a slide, to magnify the image and create some form of narrative.
The reflection from this exhibition relating to my own practice relates to the multi screen idea I am considering as ways of showing my own work. I am very drawn to the working archive idea and continually changing projections- the elements of control and chaos in perfect balance.
1st April 2011
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