The Metamorphosis of the Annual RSA Open
"All things must change to something new, to something strange."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
28 November 2014
the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
|
|
Why did I decide to stage a 'digital annexing' of the Annual Royal Scottish Academy Open and transform it into the Trevor Jones exhibition?
Firstly, I enjoy experimenting with new technology and art. The possibilities seem endless and it all feels a bit like magic to me. With new technological innovations such as AR I see a very bright future for the arts.
But tech-talk aside, undeniably we’re living in a difficult economic environment and the current art market is turbulent to say the least, unless of course you’re the über-rich and you own work by famous dead artists and hang out at Sotheby's. To make ends meet is almost impossible and framing all my work for a show, hiring a gallery space and paying for the wine is often not financially viable. Therefore, 'hijacking' the RSA Open was very simply a cost effective way for a me to showcase my artwork in other peoples' nice frames, invite my friends along to the opening and offer them a complimentary glass of wine in a beautiful and prestigious environment – and all for free. Genius!
Firstly, I enjoy experimenting with new technology and art. The possibilities seem endless and it all feels a bit like magic to me. With new technological innovations such as AR I see a very bright future for the arts.
But tech-talk aside, undeniably we’re living in a difficult economic environment and the current art market is turbulent to say the least, unless of course you’re the über-rich and you own work by famous dead artists and hang out at Sotheby's. To make ends meet is almost impossible and framing all my work for a show, hiring a gallery space and paying for the wine is often not financially viable. Therefore, 'hijacking' the RSA Open was very simply a cost effective way for a me to showcase my artwork in other peoples' nice frames, invite my friends along to the opening and offer them a complimentary glass of wine in a beautiful and prestigious environment – and all for free. Genius!
Seriously though, I see augmented and virtual reality playing an increasingly significant role in society and it makes sense to me, as an artist, to explore how I can use this tool as I meander along on my creative journey. Also, this is such brilliant, cutting-edge tech that its creative potential really needs to be introduced to other artists and the RSA Open provided the perfect platform to communicate this message.
Importantly, I believe this augmenting of the RSA exhibition throws up some very interesting questions such as "who owns digital space?" As more and more people begin to use this tech a lot of questions will be asked. I could have found an old derelict building instead and hosted a virtual exhibition of my work but that would have said really very little except that I'm using some curious, new technology. However, by launching this project at the RSA Open event I immediately challenge the traditional understanding of an art exhibition.
Importantly, I believe this augmenting of the RSA exhibition throws up some very interesting questions such as "who owns digital space?" As more and more people begin to use this tech a lot of questions will be asked. I could have found an old derelict building instead and hosted a virtual exhibition of my work but that would have said really very little except that I'm using some curious, new technology. However, by launching this project at the RSA Open event I immediately challenge the traditional understanding of an art exhibition.
The Shock of the New
Technology’s influence on the arts is not going to go away. It’s not a 'gimmick', as one artist I know argued, and it’s not something we can ignore. It's just taking a little time to gain traction as the Art Establishment is notorious for taking it's time adapting to change. Embracing technology is not something that will come easily. Regardless, technological innovation can help to develop and improve process and creativity (think how technology has completely transformed popular music, film making, photography and animation) AND it can add to the viewer’s enjoyment and engagement with the artwork.
This will also throw a lot of questions into the mix for curators. How does one curate both a physical and a digital exhibition simultaneously? How difficult will it be for a curator to make an exhibition 'work' as a physical space but with images, text, video or even 3D digital objects positioned in the virtual space alongside?
This will also throw a lot of questions into the mix for curators. How does one curate both a physical and a digital exhibition simultaneously? How difficult will it be for a curator to make an exhibition 'work' as a physical space but with images, text, video or even 3D digital objects positioned in the virtual space alongside?
The Plan
So what exactly did I do at the RSA Open on the night of the 28th November 2014? A day before the exhibition opening I managed to enter the building (don't ask how) and photographed many of the 400+ artworks. Then, implementing AR, I digitally transformed about 60 of the works on display into my own paintings. I would have transformed all of them but I ran out of time and my own art images.
I then asked a group of friends to download the AR app to their smartphones and tablets and invited them to the opening night. I had to counterfeit 25 tickets for the event, which cost a fair amount to produce quality work, but it was worth it. Exploring the exhibition, my friends scanned the RSA walls and on the screens of their mobile devices, they saw my paintings digitally superimposed in the frames of the other artists' works. We filmed it all and created a short video to capture what happened and the reactions of some of the other exhibition guests. Needless to say, there were a few people who were not impressed with me.
|
|
|
I was surprised but also pretty excited that my stunt ended up in an article written about the RSA exhibition. I'm sure this upset many of the 'old guard' even more than they already were after my stunt!
|
In keeping with the observation regarding the rise of individual voices, the most effective display of this was actually administered by painter, and augmented reality wizard, Trevor Jones, at the show’s opening event. ~ Scottish Art Blog (Dr Fern Insh) |
And Finally...
I didn’t augment the RSA Open with the intent to upset the other artists but rather to challenge the concept of “open exhibitions”, which I’ve always been slightly suspicious of. I have only admiration for anyone who puts their ideas, passion, heart and soul up on display for the world to view and potentially criticise. I hope those whose work I augmented know this and for those of you with work in the RSA Open that I didn't digitally transform but wished I did, again, this was nothing personal. I just ran out of time, my own art images to augment the entire RSA exhibition. Maybe next time. 😉
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
~ Alan Watts