Folly and Violence (art review)
– Viewpoint Gallery, Plymouth College of Art and Design, 5th Feb – 23rd Feb
posted by Kroak
Craig Fisher is ‘interested in playing with boundaries, mixing techniques of art and craft’ and this is certainly achieved in the Folly and Violence exhibition at PCAD’s up and coming contemporary gallery in Plymouth.
There are many boundaries that are investigated through this exhibition, masculinity and femininity, violence in society, the need for more play, and contemporary craft in an art gallery, to name just a few.
The viewer is greeted by two stitched CCTV cameras, playful cameras, none functional cameras. There is no pretence here; the safety implied by overzealous security cameras does not exist. The viewer is free to do, to act, as the camera isn’t on, but then it’s not ‘on’ so are you safe to be free?
A table is laid out with an array of acme style weapons, knives and knuckle dusters, which looks like the images we are all familiar with from Police Amnesties. Except the beauty of the object, the skill and craftsmanship by Fisher, creates an unbearable desire to touch, to play, to be violent. You will want to punch someone in the face with these knuckle dusters, you will want to fight.
The blood splattered walls, the extreme tools and weaponry, raises the concerns of contemporary society and of the mindless acts of violence, the absurdity of behaviour of individuals and gangs. Fisher brilliantly makes a mockery of the fear that is bread from the media. There is violence everywhere, the streets are not safe, more CCTV cameras please.
On a side note, it’s great to see the Viewpoint showcasing new exciting work, and bringing to Plymouth a new mix of artists. If you haven’t been to Viewpoint at Plymouth College of Art and Design, you should make the effort; they are seriously competing now with established centres and add to the cultural mix of Plymouth. I salute Viewpoint.
If you liked this story, you could buy us a coffee --------------------------------------------------------------------February 12th, 2008
