ARTISTS TALKING
Visual art exhibitions and events with a platform for critical writing
Other blogs by Valery Koroshilov
Feedback
Inappropriate material?
Ideas? Technical issues?
» Feedback to a-n
Project blogs
MAD HATTER'S WORKSHOP
By: Valery Koroshilov
My project proposal challenges definitions of what is art and what architecture and design. It addresses issues of perception and the relationship between people and space in a funky and funny, a mad hatter’s kind of way.
Valery Koroshilov
Valery Koroshilov's artistic practice spans across a wide variety of media and genres, which include Human Figure, Portrait, Homage to Old Masters, Still Life, and Decorative Compositions. Although recent Studio work is mostly commissioned by private and corporate clients, the artist is also involved in public art projects. His other activities include associate lecturing, research, creative production, workshops and master classes. Participated in more than 100 exhibitions worldwide.
Back to top
[enlarge]
Valery Koroshilov, 'Mad Hatter's Workshop', mixed media on paper, 30 July 2009. Courtesy: artist. Sketch drawing illustrating the Project Proposal "Mad Hatter's Workshop" for TRANSFORMATIONS: Promenade at the Lowry, 2009
# 1 [2 October 2009]
The Concept
Observing Lowry’s paintings I have noticed his people very often wear hats.
I went on to address this theme. A hat, a helmet, a beret, a cap, a scarf, a hood, a crown. What are the messages they convey today in society and art - fashion trend, political protest, symbol of power, class distinction, sun protection, religious standing?
My project aims, in an entertaining manner, to encourage audiences to explore the meanings of contemporary headwear.
The Installation
The approach is to enhance the existing gallery space with a system that makes visitors discover it in a new way. The zigzagging configuration of the Gallery plan prompted the idea of a triangular grid. The triangular flat panels are modeled, joined and manipulated in a perpetual fashion creating large- and small-scale formations of a continuous structure. In this way the Installation turns into a thematically engaged modeling process.
The three main Gallery niches are given to the larger structures: a Royal Ascot Hat, a high-tech Formula-1 Helmet, and perhaps, a futuristic Newspaper Hat. Smaller structures are displayed along the walls. Some formations might be hung from above. Viewed from any angle, the installation is instantly collapsing into a dream-like space of geometry in motion.
The Structure
The triangles are identical in size, cut with geometric precision from sheets of suitably thin MDF. The joints are glued and supported with a light wooden grid, where necessary.
The panels are painted. A subtle colour zoning is used to enhance visual definition of the formations. Some of the panels display images of headwear, others left blank to serve as screens for slide projections from different angles, after dark.
Login to post a comment »