Interplay residency, 2005

 

 

 

 

           

Residencies at Perth Institute of Contempory art: 10 February – 8 May, 2005
Showing: 27 April – 8 May, 2005
Benz & Dare continue their visual conversation. Exploring the interplay of visual language and the intimacy of communication, this is a response-based, yet reflective process, in which the work embodies each painter’s perspective, converging into a shared vision.
Benz & Dare’s collaborations are visual conversations. From opposite sides of the one work and restricted to 10 minute intervals, they explore the intricacies of communication in both a reflective and responsive manner. Dismissing the niceties, they have allowed for all forms of misunderstandings and banalities of communication.

DURATION: 3 months

 

PREMISE: An ongoing exploration of visual conversation.

 

FORMAT: Restricted surface and mediums.

 

SURFACE: Acrylic sheets (1200 x 2400 x 6mm) x 3 hung vertically.

 

MEDIUMS: Enamel (black and white), engraving tools, black pens and correction fluid.

 

CONCEPT: Middle sheet = the conversation. Outer sheets = artist’s ‘filter’ of the conversation (response, editing, reflection, internal dialogue).

 

PROCESS: THE CONVERSATION (MIDDLE SHEET) ARTIST’S POSITION: Each artist works on opposing sides of the same acrylic sheet. PARAMETERS: 10-minute intervals per artist (alternating). NOTE: Each mark documented in the book displayed on plinth.

 

THE FILTERS (OUTER SHEETS) ARTIST’S POSITION: Artists face the middle, working on their own outer sheet. Constructing a filter for themselves and the viewer.

 

PARAMETERS: No time restrictions. Begins once the conversation is over. Continues until the exhibition opens. NOTE: Work in progress. ‘Miscommunication, frustration, heavy silences, snubbing, prattling, stuttering and tantrums’.

 

 

After Benz & Dare’s ‘The Art of (good) Conversation’ comes the tumultuous ‘interplay’. A shared piece of perspex. Anything goes – Facing each other, a transparent barrier between the artists – to talk/communicate – to understand. The outer sheet of perspex, the ‘filter’, for editing – hindsight. What is left after the fact? After the conversation.