WAR OF CURRENTS _eliminator of possibilities
May 2009
AMSTERDAM - This artwork was part of the group show the UNFAIR project at the Service garage in Amsterdam. Artist and curator Ehsan Fardjadniya invited me for this show that was organized parralel to Art Amsterdam (art fair) and part of temporary museum Amsterdam. The art works in this show formed an institutional critique towards the commercializing tendencies in the 'art world'.
'WAR OF CURRENTS _eliminator of possibilities' - responded to the way art is valued in an isolated white cube setting. At the Service garage, which was located in a former garage for Citroën cars, I collected all available materials that refered to this past. By placing these materials in the exhibition space, I aimed to disturb the clean experience of art and wanted to raise awareness about this manipulative act of showing art.
The title was inspired by the surrounding street names of the Service garage. Referring to scientists and inventors, like 'Stephensonstraat' (George Stephenson), 'George Westinghousestraat' and 'Rudolf Dieselstraat'. The famous confrontation between George Westinghouse's promotion of AC power distribution and Thomas Edison's DC power system became known as "the war of currents."
This difference of opinion and the conflict between these scientists was an interesting metaphor to me. A metaphor for movements in art that view it as a closed product in an art market. As an 'eliminator of possibilities' and safe. And movements that see art as an opportunity to add meaning to everyday situations. With an open mind, where everything we know is at stake.
Article published in online magazine Tubelight: UNFAIR project Amsterdam, installation War of currents June 2009
Article published at #strangemessenger: I love Unfair and follow the money
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Best regards, Edwin Stolk.
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