When I read that Art of the Danforth Director Asad Raza had insisted on freedom to take some risks with the event this year, I wondered what he had in mind. I recalled the time when Yves Tinguely had a bit of an accident with one of his self-destructing kinetic sculptures in Copenhagen, back in the 60s. After a lot of dramatic thrashing and gnashing, Tinguley’s monumental creation was supposed to collapse into a tangled, smoking wreck, but there was to be a hopeful ending. The crash would spring open a cage of doves so they could soar from the wreckage into the blue sky.
Of course, the doves did not survive. The Danes arrested Tinguely for cruelty to animals.
One of Mr Raza’s art risks is about allowing some copyright infringement. Mahmood Popal’s Opening Soon project uses a surprising hoarding to make its announcement. The Chanel Corporation feels obligated to protect its copyright by issuing a legal letter. Nobody will be going to jail, but the idea does have its shock value. Chanel? Really? Between a pawnshop and pest control store?
After the “oh, I get it” moment, the realization sets in … East Danforth is going through gentrification right now. The hoarding just leaps ahead in time a bit.
Popal has painted us a picture of a process we’ve all seen, and one that artists are particularly sensitive to. Creative types looking for low rent “discover” an area where they can afford to have a studio. As friends and colleagues cluster together, indie cafés and galleries appear to serve them. Trend spotters see hipness, move in and add flair. More businesses appear to serve the growing economy. Condos are built, politicians are pressured for better street services, rents and prices climb. Artists must move along and find another place to work.
A bit of copyright abuse is a small risk to take to get an idea across and in this case, it’s effective. I like the fact that it pricks at the whole issue of intellectual property, too. That’s a pretty hot topic these days.
Most cases of risk-taking in art (that occur to me at least), take a stab at some social convention and bring it into question, simply by breaking a rule. Society is pulled in, like it or not. Artists don’t like to be ignored and they hunger for feedback more informative than the “Very interestings” often entered in exhibition guestbooks. At least a “tsk, tsk” is a response. A lawyer’s letter is better. And if the cops show up, you’re really cooking!
Other artistic risks that occur to me:
Taking the chance of being ridiculed
Inviting catcalls about lack of talent or intelligence
Braving sneers about violations of good taste
Using materials that may fail (eh, Leonardo?)
Breaking censorship laws
What others can you come up with?
How about defacing property? Art or vandalism?
Good one, Frank. Both, right? And there’s a little bit of risk, I guess, although you never hear of any taggers getting caught.
Interesting story about Tinguely…interesting analysis too. But not as interesting as seeing the Chanel hoarding. I spotted it the day before and was making my list…