Out of the gutter...
It's not that kind of show
By Stephanie Long
Issue date: 10/2/02 Section: Arts and Culture
How do you feel about your skin? Does it affect your role in society? What if your skin was rubbery and shiny? What if it was another colour? At the InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre's Skinjob exhibit (Sept. 19- Oct. 12), three contemporary artists find unique and striking ways to express their ideas about skin identity in an attempt to decode the rich terrain of the body's covering. Sometimes their efforts succeed; sometimes they confuse, but they are invariably thought-provoking, memorable eye-candy, and well worth checking out.
The 401 Richmond complex is bright, big, and kind of like a contemporary art maze. There are so many hallways, so many doors, and every tempting direction leads to galleries that catch the eye and invite the audience to look closer. The Skinjob exhibit in the InterAccess suite (number 444), has this kind of allure, with pieces that spark the initial question "what am I looking at?¨ The most complex of these is Wayne Dunkley's web-installation project Degradation and Removal. Dunkley invites the viewer to consider his/her response to the black male and shares his views on the subject through an interactive computer program. One can read the stories of various black males, witness the names that Dunkley has been labeled and explore the artist's world through striking images on the large screen. The piece is eye-opening, shocking and great for those visitors who like to DO rather than just SEE.
Another hands-on piece is by Ana Rewakowitz. Her colourful latex artwork Uniblow Outfit can be worn by the visitor and inflates as it is walked in. For those who wonder what it would feel like to be a teletubby and/or a giant condom, the exhibit may provide some clues. Certainly, Rewakowitz gives latex a whole new look and provides the interesting opportunity of walking in a latex bubble. It is essential to read the Skinjob press release (available in the gallery) to obtain more information the motivation and ideas behind her art. Without knowing the artists' intents, it may be difficult for viewers to fully appreciate a couple of the pieces on display in the context of the theme. This is also the case of Jason Salavon's piece, blurred photos that represent "everybody and nobody.¨
The three Skinjob artists provide unique commentaries on the subject of skin. The ideas of skin colour, texture, and definition are presented in ways that intrigue, bewilder, and not only encourage involvement but demand it. Indeed, the exhibition is not ideal for those visitors preferring passive viewing and pretty pictures; the edgy artwork at Skinjob begs to be explored, pondered, and remembered. If, however, you are prepared to look closer and take an active interest in the subject matter, the exhibit has much to offer. Cool social projects, fresh new art, and a building that seems home to a whole world of wonders. InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre just might just get under your skin.
The 401 Richmond complex is bright, big, and kind of like a contemporary art maze. There are so many hallways, so many doors, and every tempting direction leads to galleries that catch the eye and invite the audience to look closer. The Skinjob exhibit in the InterAccess suite (number 444), has this kind of allure, with pieces that spark the initial question "what am I looking at?¨ The most complex of these is Wayne Dunkley's web-installation project Degradation and Removal. Dunkley invites the viewer to consider his/her response to the black male and shares his views on the subject through an interactive computer program. One can read the stories of various black males, witness the names that Dunkley has been labeled and explore the artist's world through striking images on the large screen. The piece is eye-opening, shocking and great for those visitors who like to DO rather than just SEE.
Another hands-on piece is by Ana Rewakowitz. Her colourful latex artwork Uniblow Outfit can be worn by the visitor and inflates as it is walked in. For those who wonder what it would feel like to be a teletubby and/or a giant condom, the exhibit may provide some clues. Certainly, Rewakowitz gives latex a whole new look and provides the interesting opportunity of walking in a latex bubble. It is essential to read the Skinjob press release (available in the gallery) to obtain more information the motivation and ideas behind her art. Without knowing the artists' intents, it may be difficult for viewers to fully appreciate a couple of the pieces on display in the context of the theme. This is also the case of Jason Salavon's piece, blurred photos that represent "everybody and nobody.¨
The three Skinjob artists provide unique commentaries on the subject of skin. The ideas of skin colour, texture, and definition are presented in ways that intrigue, bewilder, and not only encourage involvement but demand it. Indeed, the exhibition is not ideal for those visitors preferring passive viewing and pretty pictures; the edgy artwork at Skinjob begs to be explored, pondered, and remembered. If, however, you are prepared to look closer and take an active interest in the subject matter, the exhibit has much to offer. Cool social projects, fresh new art, and a building that seems home to a whole world of wonders. InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre just might just get under your skin.
