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DAILY NEWS, VIEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS
CRITICS' PICKS, OPENINGS, YOUR VIDEOS, YOUR BLOGS
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Channel 4 has unveiled a new public art commission outside its London headquarters. The work, by Saatchi Online artist Stephanie Imbeau, the winner of Channel 4's BIG4 public art competition, consists of hundreds of umbrellas which clad the Channel 4 logo. Imbeau says her aim is 'to give discarded umbrellas a second chance' and, as an American living in London, to recognise 'the enduring presence of umbrellas during all seasons'.
In a statement about the work entitled 'Shelter', Imbeau goes on to say that the work 'is an opportunity to tell a story. Like Channel 4, which is viewed by people from every level of society, umbrellas are used by all, pointing to the ties that bind us together as a community of people instead of a nation of isolated individuals. I find everyday objects beautiful and abounding with symbolism, and seek to work with such materials we live with and use all the time but don't notice. In England, umbrellas are certainly in the category of constant use, yet it's easy for them to be under-appreciated. As an American living in London, I've noticed the enduring presence of umbrellas during all seasons and am delighted by the texture they add to this city.'
These photographs chart the creation of 'Shelter' at Channel 4's headquarters on Horseferry Road in London.
Channel 4's Big4 public art competition was open to Saatchi Online artists and students who graduated from a BA, MA or other post-graduate fine art courses in the UK in 2006 or 2007. The competition was launched to find a fourth art work to complete a series of new commissions in which artists, including El Anatsui and Mark Titchner, worked with Channel 4's logo which stands as a three-dimensional sculpture outside its headquarters.
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| Published on 07-03-2009 |
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When artists make artworks they tend to over intellectualise and try and find deeper meanings for their works. When in reality its not so complicated after all. Take this piece, made from umbrellas. The artist gives some explanation about symbolism and what not that seemed to me to be the artist guessing at her motives and trying to come up with something coherent. Put yourself into the future, if you can, say 50 years and look back on this piece. The conversation would go something like this, "so what was it?, oh i cant quite remember, but I think it was a large figure 4 made from umbrellas. Umbrellas? really? why umbrellas? did it rain a lot in those days? I dunno, guess so..." Dont get me wrong, Im not criticizing it per se, I actually think it doesnt look too bad, just asking whether its literal and surface meaning ie umbrellas, is its real meaning. After all they have to choose one and what can you do with a large figure 4. Then again, with advertising revenues through the floor it could be more significant than we realise, a symbol to protect the television company from the harsh rain and storms of the gathering recession, this seems its more likely meaning.
Craig J Hudson | |
Indeed it is very fashionable to over-intellectualize artworks and often destroys the simply beauty of a piece. In this case, however, I can definetely see how an American in London feels compelled to acknowledge the significance of umbrellas and therefore use it as a symbol. I like the originality and the colourfulness of it.
R Matar | |
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