Contemporary artist Cornelia Parker is obsessed with ‘formalizing things beyond our control’ (www.fithstreetgallery.com, 23/05/07). My favorite piece of hers, which was exhibited in the Tate Modern Gallery, illustrates this concept perfectly. ‘Cold Dark matter- An exploded view.’(Seen above) She has exploded a shed with the help of ‘British Army’ (www.tate.org.uk in 1991.) The pieces were then hung up using fine string and a light was placed in the center. The light appears as the center of the explosion. When I viewed this piece, I was allowed to walk round it. It appeared as if the explosion had been paused or slowed like used at the opening of the film ‘Sword Fish,’ 2001. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8K3CfUHKx8, 23/05/07), (however it has to be said -less brutal.)
This concept has been used in popular culture. The recent Scissor Sister video ‘She’s My Man,’ (http://www.youtube.comwatch
v=obDALgFz4F4) where a black background is used, and people are dressed in black walk round the band moving objects and band members in unusual ways. Again this suggests the sensation of creating the impossible by illusion.What I liked most about the video is the viewer’s ability to see the covered up extras, so the concept is essentially revealed.
Back to the shed…
Found within the blown up shed were ‘objects which have certain modesty and/or sentimental value (www.tate.org.uk 23/05/07), suggesting a more personal piece, and the gaining of a more emotional disturbing reaction. This reaction maybe also produced by our cultural perceptions, ‘A terribly British institution, the shed functions as a place of refuge, a safe place, a place for secrets and fantasy’ (www.tate.org.uk 23/05/07).
