Clashing in Curating

On my most recent visit to Leeds Art Gallery, I was overwhelmed by one particular room containing part of the group exhibition Between Kismet and Karma, I was overwhelmed, in an unfortunate way, by two pieces in particular.

My criticism is not of the actual works, in fact they were rather overwhelming in a good way, if only you were given the chance to fully appreciate them. No, the fault lies in the hands of the curator.

The problem which occurred in the exhibition confronted me as soon as I entered the space, overwhelmed by a sort of white noise. However, once I got over the shock and approached the work I realised this was most probably NOT the intention of either artist.

Artist Yasmine Kabirs had contributed her video piece, The Last Rites to the exhibition, which was accompanied with a music score. However, on the other side of the plaster board Shilpa Gupta had her piece installed, In Out Time, Singing Mobile Microphones, consisting of two microphones on either side of a pendulum- like swinging pole. Unfortunately for Gupta that's about all the viewer could establish as the sound clashed and fought of Kabirs.

Its reasonable to believe that this is a common problematic in the whole curating business. When you given numerous artworks for a show and expected to employ some method or theme. The curating of these works, I presume, must have been in some way in relation to their materiality, and considering most works in our show first began their journey under a brief of Materiality, there is chance of us making the same mistake.

Although, another reason to the clashing placement of these works may have been due to technical reasons. Perhaps, it was just alot easier to have two pieces close together so they could run of the same equipment. However, I think it may be worth it if we established ways of working around the work instead of the logistics.

Just like creating an art work, adhering to a rigid method or orientation in curating won't always work. Sometimes your best to go with instinct. If it doesn't work for you 'but it will do', the audience are probably going to feel the same way.