The spatial act of curation: how the intersectional spatial relationship between place and artwork unlocks meaning
Loading...
Date
2019-01
Authors
Mathews, Pieter J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how meaning is unlocked through
the intersectional relationship between space and artwork. By the use of
specific curatorial techniques, an architect’s understanding of architectural
principles can assist in the act of curation in order to reveal meaning.
The study is practice-based, and through an autoethnographic approach
I will determine how meaning was revealed by retrospectively exploring
case studies of my own work. These case studies are my personal previous
curatorial experimentations and exhibitions which will be explored with the
benefit of hindsight.
For the purpose of this study, art is considered to include sculpture, murals
and totems, and space is open ended, questioning the understanding that art
belongs in a gallery.
By means of precedent studies, I investigate artists, curators, art historians
and critics who have shifted the paradigm of curation or exhibition-making.
These include Harald Szeemann, Hans-Ulrich Obrist, Julia Peyton-Jones,
Marcel Broodthaers and Gordon Froud.
The case studies will be examined by means of three curatorial approaches:
1. Performative curation: performative curation is an active, hands-on
curatorial approach without a preconceived idea of the end result. An example
of performative curation discussed in this dissertation is the Saadjies travelling
collection, comprised of over 100 small sculptures, that was exhibited at five
unconventional and diverse locations as well as “photobombed” across the
world.
2. Independent commissioning curation: independent commissioning refers
to a curation method where the curator commissions an artist to create an
artwork with a specific site in mind. To illustrate independent commissioning
curation, I discuss Rabbid by Guy du Toit as part of the A Re Yeng sculpture
project for Tshwane Rapid Transit (Pty) Ltd (TRT).
3. Convener as facilitator for curation: a convener or facilitating curator
establishes a platform or vehicle for others to independently interact with
various spaces in order to implement their interventions. The Cool Capital
initiative will be explored. Cool Capital is the world’s first citizen-driven
guerrilla biennale centred in the City of Tshwane that boasts more than 1000
participants. Cool Capital as a whole, as well as individual projects executed
during this biennale, will be discussed.
The culmination of this study was a practical curation experiment within an
unconventional space. By utilising various curatorial approaches, a unique
exhibition was curated.
Neither artwork, nor space is as successful in creating meaning as curation of
the intersection between the two.
Description
Keywords
Dissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2019, Meaning, Space, Artwork