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| Life Work and Knowledge,
Vilma Gold Gallery |
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| Media,
Matt Fresco,
27 January 2001 |
Rating: F4
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As the art world shakes off the dust accumulated over the last century idiosyncratic and uncompromising artists like Mark Titchner are vying for their place and their right to reinterpret and re-examine the world.
How appropriate then that Hoxton is the venue for this surprising and welcome exhibition. The area east of Old Street tube has grown and developed since the Blue Note left the square. Now it seems to be teeming with drinkers and revellers where only a decade ago it was a dangerous blight on the edge of the city. The empty warehouses and struggling businesses are now thriving bars and exhibition spaces. You can keep Spitalfields this is the new Covent Garden.
In this new exhibition Titchner asks us to compare the natural genius of the unknown universe that surrounds us with the artificial light that is our own consciousness. Effectively he is saying that for all our grandiose achievements we are still no more brilliant than a 60-watt light bulb attempting to light an ocean at night.
By using common materials like paper and wood, wool and light bulbs he asserts that we 'all need something plastic to fight the invisible'. So we have an installation that is surrounded by the words 'something' and 'nothing'. On its fringes are various near identical sources of light, bulbs in the centre of geometric patterns. These lamps illuminate and cast shadow over a centrepiece that is a strangely organic mess of coloured and ribboned paper.
While the intention is clear, if benign the overall impression is one of haste and insensitivity. But this is a rare artist who is worth watching and who may well develop into a major contributor to the way we interpret our new millennium.
But Titchner is not ungenerous and has invited a curious and eclectic group of talented, rising artists to piggyback his new show. With a rock theme the project space is teeming with curious gems.
The star of the minor show is undoubtedly Richard Hogg who has copies of his very collectable book on sale as well as two new works. This likeable modern hero of art presents us with a view over Brockwell Park strewn with album covers as if questioning the ephemeral nature of music as disposable art.
As well as a new graffiti inspired work the project area expands on Hogg's theme with installations, line drawings and T-shirts, which explore and lampoon the mystery and allure of rock music.
If you are a stranger to either the Hoxton area or the new London scene the Vilma Gold is well worth a visit. Next Saturday put the pills back in the fridge and come investigate the atmosphere and credentials of a movement that Hogg and his contemporaries reinterpret and explore so vivaciously.
66 Rivington Street, London
13 Jan - 11 Feb 2001
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