Art for consumption
Magic becomes art when it has nothing to hide - Ben Okri
The Faculty of Visual Arts of the University of Visual and Performing
Arts, Colombo has finally established a gallery of their own fulfilling
a long overdue need for a national level, non-commercial space for the
presentation and exploration of art.
The second exhibition at this newly opened J.D.A Perera Gallery is a
German exhibition titled ‘conscious, simple – consciously simple: The
Emergence of an Alternative Product Culture’, which has been traveling
for over 10 years in 29 cities all over the world, attracting more than
300,000 visitors. This exhibition which brings together a collection of
65 objects and a total of 122 exhibits by 35 German designers and
designer groups, primarily focuses on pieces of furniture, luminaries,
and home accessories, which are conceived, produced, and handled in a
consciously simple way.
As the website on this traveling exhibition explains, ‘the objects
chosen do not stand out for their luxurious materials or complicated and
costly production processes, but for their robust materiality, plain
configuration, simple and practical handling as well as comparatively
low prices.’
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Highlights
of the exhibition
* Spanning over 10 years
* Took shape in 29 cities
worldwide
* Attracted 300,000 visitors
* Showcases 122 exhibits by
35 German designers |
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Various
items of furniture |
Furthermore it states, ‘the design trends in this exhibition follow
the traditions of typical home-living culture, with some objects
referring to the functional furniture of Modernism. Yet from the start,
the New German Design has extended the notion of functionality to
include narrative and emotional moments, the principles of ‘objets
trouvés’ as well as the recycling of materials and set pieces as
essential design factors.’
There is also a definite sensory aspect, which is a strong definer of
this exhibition, as one is allowed to experiences at the venue - a chair
made totally of steel sheets which gives a feel of cool relaxation as
one sinks in to it, or a garden seat with a base of concrete with steel
rods bent in the shape of a chair, giving a finely relaxing feeling of
being massaged as one sits and sways on its protruding stems. The
stool/table combination, encased in a simple rectangular box and which
is stretchable up to six meters – a centre-piece creating much
enthusiasm.
The shelving space creating a three sided library with the fourth
side opening up to a work space complete with desk and stool with neat
storage space underneath was a fascinating writers’ corner, literally
surrounded by books.
Functionality combined with minimal storage space once the necessity
was fulfilled, in the foldable tables, the many storage ideas of shelves
and platforms as well as the simple acts of balancing are also
noteworthy and interesting aspects being explored at the exhibition.
Along with the selection of German design products the exhibition
also presents a selection of Sri Lankan objects of contemporary and
indigenous design, made by young designers and students of design,
giving them the opportunity to display their emerging talents.
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