ninaashermcmullan

GALLERY VISITS 11/09/2019

SAMSON YOUNG

Yesterday we visited the Talbot Rice gallery to see the exhibition of Chinese artist Samson Young.

The first room held two collections of works. The first placed in the center of the room, and the second held on the balcony surrounding above. The first “Possible music #2” was an installation of about 15 speakers in an oval shape. This was paired with a giant 3D printed trumpet which looked as though it had sunk into the ground. The idea was for the audience to stand in the middle of the speakers to be surrounded by the sounds to come. Young had used computer music programs to mimic the sound of a bugle in a range of different ways. For example, recreating how it would sound if the temperature and force were changed. However, Young took this experiment to extremes, questioning almost impossible theories on how a bugle would sound in different situations. For example, he wanted to find out the outcome if it were to be played by a fire breathing dragon, with the temperature of 300 Celsius. These experiments are all played overlapping each other through the speakers while flashing coloured lights are aimed towards the viewers. Personally, this experience felt slightly overwhelming to me, and somewhat boring. It’s an interesting idea to know what it would sound like if a dragon played a bugle, but this piece didn’t make me feel inspired or particularly do anything for me.

The following images are from the balconies above. I loved these small multimedia pieces by Samson Young. Each white canvas contained a different drawing or print relating to music. Most also contained a short sentence – my favourite being below reading ‘Flags like moths wings’. Each frame also had texture to it, some being 3D printed. I feel this made the piece more unique and related to the artist as he is known for using 3D printing in his work often.

Another room we visited in this exhibition I feel is worth mentioning was the sound channel installation named “Muted Situation #22: Muted Tchaikovsky’s 5th”. This was a large screened video made in 2018 of an orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s piece 5th, but with their instruments muted by tape. The instruments were still played with the enthusiasm and effort as usual, yet little to no sound was to be heard. It felt bizarre expecting a certain sound and volume, yet being tricked by what actually was heard. The effect of the instruments being muted meant that they made a pulsating thumping sound, and almost made it feel as though the video had been muted and recorded over.

CINDY SHERMAN

Next we went to the Stills Gallery on Cockburn street to see the Cindy Sherman exhibition. Here we were lucky enough to see a variety of early prints by Sherman, some of them original prints, presented the same as they would be when first presented in the mid 70s- early 80s. The three series of works all explored the theme of identity.

One part of this exhibition showed a series named ‘Murder Mystery’. This consisted of a number of self shot portraits of the artist in different disguises as characters. Each character had their own personality shown through makeup, clothing, props and body language/stance. It was amazing to see how different Sherman looked in each of these, and how well she could mimic a completely different person in the different shots. The idea of it being a mystery makes this series feel more fun and interesting, as well as engaging the viewers as it is a talking piece to your own theories.

SELF EVIDENCE

The theme of identity was also explored in an exhibition at the Portrait Gallery. ‘Self Evidence’ showed us works of photographers Francesca Woodman, Diane Arbus, and Robert Mapplethorpe.

This particular photograph by Mapplethorpe stood out to me personally. I have always been fascinated by eyes, and it’s usually my go-to thing to draw. What attracted me to this photograph wasn’t just the subject matter, but the photographer it was coming from. It is said that ‘the eyes are the window to the soul’, and these eyes don’t look particularly happy. As a gay man in the 1960/70s, Mapplethorpe was known for sensitive and taboo subject matter in his work at this time, which caused controversy. Looking at this photograph, Mapplethorpe looks tired, old, and worn out. Yet, they also make him look wise and makes the viewer want to sympathise with him – which conflicts with how a lot of people felt about his work during his prime.
This photograph was taken in 1966 in New York by Diane Arbus.
As drag has recently become more widely celebrated in pop culture, this photograph caught my attention as it was taken during a time where drag queens were not commonly accepted. The black and white image makes me think of the seriousness of what those in the LGBTQ+ community deal with, and the scary reality that drag queens and queer people still have to face every day. I feel as though a common misconception is that exploring gender identity is this new ‘trend’ and is often looked at negatively as some kind of ‘phase’. This very intimate photograph taken in the 60’s is inspiring as queer person myself as it shows we have always been around and that drag is a beautiful way of expressing oneself.
Arbus particularly liked to photograph drag performers while they were getting ready as she felt this was more personal. This also highlights the journey of self expression as we can see the in-between stage of getting into drag. The model looking straight into the camera is eye-catching as it makes it feel more personal and targeted. The body language looks very feminine, relating to the theme of identity and gender.

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