Art in the Dark

Art in the Dark

Print article
Post to Facebook

Review

ECA: Art in the Dark

Art in the Dark, aside from being a decidedly catchy name, is an intriguing concept. Art galleries, commonly, are swathed in heavy strokes of brilliant white light, beaming down from all directions as curators seek to flatter the showcased works. But as any woman can tell you, stark white light is distinctly unflattering. As with all seduction a certain element of the mystique must be maintained. So it is with tonight’s installation.

Upon entering the Wee Red Bar at the Edinburgh College of Art, you are met with pounding beats and shadowy figures. Snatches of light and colour are partly hidden by the black drapes that hang from the ceiling. Immediately, attention is drawn to the centre pieces of the show, provided by the curator, Rachel Maclean. The first is an installation inspired by Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s St Theresa in Ecstacy. In Maclean’s version though, the clean, off-white marble is replaced by an array of hallucinogenic cross sections. The second is the projection screen which hangs on the wall of the dance floor. Initially the vision of a dancing Darth Vader and disembodied heads swimming in some psychedelic wonderland does hold the audience’s attention. Towards the end of the night, however, the combination of cheap drink and relentless trip hop beats, ably provided by Fox Gut Daata and Orange Arrow, draws the focus from the art and onto the dance floor.

But despite this, by placing the art in the dark, this show succeeds in drawing in the audience in a way that a fully lit gallery never could. What you are drawn to here is an array of exhibits which are challenging and intriguing. It is something which, despite the darkness, is clear for everyone to see.

Comment on this article

	You need to have an account to post comments.
	Enter your login details below to post, or sign up for an account
User name:
Password:
Comment: