Acrylic on canvas
Artist featured: Theo Papathomas
Fortyfivedownstairs is located at 45 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
Ryan Gander, a highly prolific British artist has graced our shores with his current exhibition; READ ONLY. The show is currently being held at the ACCA (Australian Centre For Contemporary Art) in Melbourne, Victoria. The exhibition contains many diverse works, ranging from video to installations and sculpture.
Ganders work involves the audience in a sense of participation. You can almost feel the artist being present as he has left tiny clues and nuances in his work. It feels like you are trying to solve a riddle or puzzle. A highlight would be the work (Porthole to Culturefield Revisited, 2010). The artwork has a very nautical feel to it. From the sealed porthole, a ladder that is reminiscent of a boat, tails of colourful ribbons and with what at first sounds like a euphony of festive music playing in the background all contributes to the nautical atmosphere. When you edge closer to the work you can hear more clearly ‘Rouge’ by Miles Davis on Repeat. You can almost reach the ladder but can’t. (I envisioned a party going on behind the porthole). Its as if the party is upstairs and you are stuck in the dregs of the basement feeling a sense of loneliness and dejection. Ganders works engage you and evokes your senses. You may even for a fleeting moment feel like a child again, using your imagination and transcending yourself into a different realm.
Porthole to Culturefield Revisited, 2010.
Wood, Metal, Ribbons and Audio
10 x 50 x 40cm Approx.
Private Collection, USA
VANESSA KENNEDY 