? / UK

Is this Art?

15:27 / 13.02.2007
David Barrington
London

The ICA in London has a bit of a reputation for hosting controversial works of art, think of Throbbing Gristle's 'Prostitution' show, which displayed pornography, to the more recent show by artist Cerith Wyn Evans, who simply chose to remove the internal arches and walls of the main exhibition space to return the architecture to how it once was, and left the piece at that.

The current show by artist Tino Sehgal continues in a similar mininalistic vein, in terms of the space but proves to be a lot more complex.

Entitled 'This Success or This Failure' the work consists of inviting groups of ten school children, aged from 8 to 10, from local schools to populate the main exhibition space in rotating shifts. They can do whatever they want, (they get breaks and our supervised by a couple of teachers who remain pretty silent), the only rule being that they aren't allowed to bring anything in but themselves to the space and are encouraged to interact with the audience.

I had no idea that the show was on, so when I walked through the door, being confronted with six school children who politely introduced themselves and then asked my name was quite a shock.

Within a few seconds I realised the what was going on and suggested a game of rock, paper, scissors. My partner suggested the Japanese version, (it's the same but just sounds different) with some boys who got a little miffed as they got beaten, so they asked about football, which went no where, as I don't support any teams, so we said good-byes and had a drink.

Thinking about it at the bar, I usually get turned off pretty quickly by any performance art, but it was fun and really made me think how effectively and simply the context of the gallery space framed the interactions, and how object based most contemporary art is. It was fascinating to see grown-ups regressing back to childhood and the kids talking about art. The kids looked occasionally bored and moaned if you'd listen, but soon cheered up if you suggested something to do, all the adults ended up with huge grins on their faces.

On our return more grown-ups had wandered in, and an energetic game of tag had started, once we were worn out we did some handstands and left.

So, what I want to ask, is, do you think this piece constitutes a work of Art?

If you have an opinion, post it below.

Comments / 43 Comments / Add Comment

NO, the "everything" goes is a tramp. Being an artist is just like any other proffesion, but not everything an "artist" does is "art". Do you say everything a doctor do is "medical science"? NO. It's the same with Arts.

Posted by Rodrigo Peñalba
16:23 / 13/02/2007

I totally disagree. Being an artist isn't like any other profession really. This certainly is a work of art in my opinion. It was done with a purpose and an intent commissioned by the ICA. It would be a different story if these kids were just at a playground and you happened to be passing through while someone with nothing to do with it tried to coin it off as their "exhibition." The kids are within a confined space and for a specific reason. I personally love the idea of interaction as an art form. No one has a better imagination than a child. Aren't we all just fighting for that inner child?

Great post.

Posted by Josh
23:25 / 13/02/2007

Consider that art for many people is not necessarily a 'thing,' an object but also a process. If you emphasise with this conception then dance, theatre, performance, graphic design, music, crafts, sculpture, cab reasonably be recognised as 'art.' Remember the argument about photography - is it art or not? Tate Modern in London only recently showed their first ever photography show. Video art has suffered the same ignoble response, as has the use of sound in art. How about crafts? Is making pottery or using ceramics art or just a craft? I'm happy when questions are asked. The ICA at least is presenting a position where you continue to question valid moments of reality. In Duchamp's words it's all about play!

Incidentally the artist who removed the walls at the ICA recently was Cerith Wyn-Evans! Quite a different artist than Rose Finn-Kelcey.

Posted by Robin Rimbaud
23:50 / 13/02/2007

Good points & thanks for the correction Robin! (One should never post in the early hours)

Posted by David
00:24 / 14/02/2007

Art is something you make, imagine and give to other. Here the artist show you that art is not only object-based but also as Robin Rimbaud said, a process. He had The idea to put you in a context. It's what was asked to the artist to offer to you. The process is important and then the action inside the performance: kids tell stories, imagine others things to do, tagging, walking, comes to you and make you face a situation you didn't expect. Art should surprise you somewhere. Art could be a moment, a connection, a link between you and and grown-up who ask you something, (it's sounds like an advertising, sorry) but you also have to be open-minded, to understand and want to discover that feeling of human interaction between generation gap, art takes you where you don't go easily open: emotion.

Posted by fichtre
01:37 / 14/02/2007

@Josh

exactly, it is a comission, the same kind of work an engineer gets. Therefore, an Artist is a Proffesional.

"WE pay YOU to do something"

Can a comission still be art? The Sixtine Chapel was a comission, and well, you know what kind of piece is the Sixtine Chapel .

Though the piece in discucion might be considered art, it is a lame performance. Remember the fairy tale about the emperor's new clothes? It's the same here. Just because someone says its ART doesn't mean its good, or that the piece is actually Art.

Posted by Rodrigo Peñalba
14:10 / 14/02/2007

Just because someone says its not ART doesn't mean its bad, or that the piece isnt actually Art.

Posted by rand
14:52 / 14/02/2007

i like the regressive thing going on, slides in the tate modern etc... good to get back to thinking like a child sometimes. can give you a simpler view in complex sitiations.

Posted by konxompax
08:31 / 16/02/2007

This is art as it has an artist's intention, but it seems regressive for a contemporary show. I've been noticing a trend lately of "natural performances" becoming anomalous. It sounds like this show, like most performances, may have taken an unnatural identity. What I mean by this is simply that a strangers interaction with children doesn't tend to involve bursting into a child's actions, instead a more faithful set of mundane actions would reflect life more accurately. If an artist's intent is to turn a mirror toward life, it needs to practice subtleness and notice that life isn't always so vivacious. Of course the audience is most likely to blame for trying to make interactive art as exciting and odd as possible.

Regarding what is art, intention has to be art. If it is not, then art has no distinguishable identity and should remove itself from the label of art.

Posted by Optimistic Artist
13:35 / 27/02/2007

Rodrido:
Are you thereby saying artists like John Cage, Marcel DuChamp, Merce Cunningham, et al. are not artists? When Marcel Duchamp found his urinal and brought it to the gallery, are you insinuating that he was not producing art? Because the market disagrees with you; that urinal is worth thousands. Are you contesting the market?

Art is about faith. Where a majority of people have faith in the artist and/or artwork in succeeding. If it does not succeed, it is not art. The artist will have clear intentions to change someone, bring about an experience, or bring change - creative, or destructive.

Like Rand said above, just because you don't like it doesn't make it art. You can hate an art piece, just don't confuse your sentiments with your classifications.

Posted by Sebastian Speier
12:22 / 28/03/2007

correction: just because you don't like it, doesn't make it NOT art.

Posted by Sebastian Speier
12:23 / 28/03/2007

it provokes emotion, it inspires, it is creative, it is unique, it is appealing, it is expressive
therefore it is art

Posted by someone
17:39 / 24/06/2007

Recontextualisation is art's most significant philosophy.

Posted by The Lazer
02:35 / 03/08/2007

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