Beyond these walls
South London Gallery
24.07-20.09.2009
sign at the entrance
If you would like to know what site-specfic art is, this exhibition is a good opportunity to get some understanding. The South London Gallery is currently constructing an extension at the backyard area, which originally has a back entrance to the gallery and now beingn restored by Danish artist Tue Greenfort.
a corner at the backyard
the central space
Some of the works utilise existing materials on site and the twist created is by placing them in an unusual/extraordinary situation, something similar to détournement. All of the works are site-specific, disorientating or reinterpreting references from geographical, spatial or historical context of the gallery and the existing components they use (if any).
Untitled (2009) by Pieter Vermeersch - acrylic
Untitled (2009) by Leon Vranken - wood, varnish, glue
Untitled (2009) by Esther Stocker - foamboard and pins
The following one and the Corridor are my favourite. The gallery provides a very detailed factsheet on the exhibits, the artists and some further background on the exhibition. I believe it is in line with their education / community program, which has been very well executed with reference to its track record listed online.
Construction (2009) by Ayşe Erkmen - handwritten text on builders' helmets
The gallery is undergoing a £1.8-million expansion in which 6a Architects designed that would almost double the exhibition space. If you would like to know more about this extension, join their open house behind-the-scene tour in which the architect would be showing the attendant around on site and talking about their design.
full photo set here overview of the central space -
Further reading -
Official website of South London Gallery
Review by Charles Darwent for the Independent, 02.08.2009
Looking under the skin at the south london gallery by Oliver Basciano for Building Design, 28.08.2009