With Sit on the machine, the artist puts viewers on the spot: should they choose to direct their gaze at apparently autonomous art objects, their back will automatically turn on a text addressing the problem of ''work'' at large. On occasion of the opening the artist will be in conversation with Julian Stallabrass.
How can an exhibition reflect the gallery as an idealised site of display, without disregarding the ambiguous relations between art, industry and spectatorship? With Sit on the machine, Liam Gillick puts viewers on the spot: should they choose to direct their gaze at apparently autonomous art objects, their back will automatically turn on a text addressing the problem of “work” at large.
A number of brightly coloured museum-like benches sit in the centre of the room. A specific place for contemplation is recommended. From that place, you can see a series of small abstract wall structures and one continuous wall text taken from Gillick’s translations of activist songs and plays from the 1970s, yet never in the same glance. The two films on view ultimately tie Sit on the machine to the artist's concurrent exhibition at Air de Paris.
Preceded by the second in our series of GMS ARrtist Talks:
Liam Gillick in conversation with Julian Stallabrass
27/10/2011, 14:00 - 15.30h
Julian Stallabrass is a writer, curator, photographer, and lecturer. He is professor in art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art, and is the author of Art Incorporated, Oxford University Press 2004, Internet Art: The Online Clash Between Culture and Commerce, Tate Publishing 2003 and Art Lite: British Art in the 1990s, Verso 1999. He is so generous to travel from London to discuss the exhibition together with the artist.
The talk is open to all but places are limited so please RSVP to caroline@gms.be
Opening Thursday October 27th, 18:00 - 21:00h.
Galerie Micheline Szwajcer
Verlatstraat 14 Antwerpen
Tuesday to Friday 10:00-18:30. Saturday 12:00-18:30
Admission free