Mental Rotations
together with Wolfgang Obermair
The focus of the exhibition “Mental rotations”, which is on display at the Vienna offspace venue SWINGR, is not only a rapprochement between two artistic positions, but also a redefinition of curatorial position variables. Similar to “Operation Mors” (a joint project of the Novosibirsk State Art Museum, September 2007) this project is also trying to achieve a fusion of artistic and curatorial action. Through a continuously changing light situation an unusual dynamic is evoked; it can be seen as a contrast to the often sought after museum static (e.g., constant light): mounted on a long beam on the ceiling is a halogen lamp, it is in constant rotation and at a rhythm of about one minute, it partially illuminates the entire room. The setup is meant as an experimental situation that gives the architecture a readable direction and destabilizes receptive habits. By this invasion, the space itself is administered a light dynamic which is usually only seen in the outer realm of the rising and falling sun: wandering shadows, light delocalizing phenomena for the beholder… Interactions between the two artistic positions are worn and in its reception layered. Ekaterina Shapiro-Obermair’s drawings are in this light unevenly physical. The paper, which through its tinting by black tea has already been submitted to an artificial aging process, takes on an almost object-like plasticity in moving lights.
After 15 minutes a second light situation is created through computer-controlled relay: light and rotation motors are turned off, a video projector and DVD player are put in operation: The video installation, entitled “Mask and Spot on Fountain” by Wolfgang Obermair recalls in its spatial production the classic presentation the concept of “Black Cube”. In Boris Groys sense, this is the ideal setup for an endless video projection (see Boris Groys, “The Aesthetics of the Video Installation”). For the purpose of Wolfgang Obermair and Ekaterina Shapiro-Obermair, this situation, however, lasts only 5 minutes before the light goes over to the rotation.
Translation: Victoria Rowley
24. April – 01. Mai 2008
SWINGR, Vienna
www.swingr.blogs.sonance.net