23/10/2003
Brian Reed and Mike Dawson
VTO, London
Essential Phenomena is the second installment in a series of exhibitions by Brian Reed and Mike Dawson, which began with 'Lavish Conviction'.
Essential Phenomena (Lavish Conviction, Part 2)
VTO is pleased to present recent work by Brian Reed and Mike Dawson.
Essential Phenomena is the second installment in a series of exhibitions by
Brian Reed and Mike Dawson, which began with 'Lavish Conviction'. The
exhibition 'emulates the potent iconography of the day whilst simultaneously
undermining the mechanisms that hold them aloft' Commercial icon to art
object of invigorated value seems a discourse going 'global''. Paul Anthony
Black, Flash Art, Jan 2002.
Mike Dawson is fascinated with the place where the worlds of Media and Art
collide and intermesh. Reporting from the crash-site for this exhibition are
Dawson's various alter-egos: Robin Nature-Bold, The Gallery Guard and The
Someone (an elusive curatorial collective of twelve agents based in Norway).
His 'Sycophantic, (Certified Eulogy & DIY) Part 1' is a half-fictional,
half-factual, low-fi, pseudo-documentary. In this video piece Dawson prowls
the streets armed with his camcorder, and turns up (late at night and
unannounced) at the homes and workplaces of several associates, all owners
of Robin Nature-Bold 'In-denial T-Shirts'. Dawson is on a mission to find
out exactly what these people have done with their T-shirts, and won't leave
until he has answers.
Continuing with the theme of self-obsession, Dawson presents Nature-Bold's
oxymoronic 'I Love-Hate What I've Become', a scrap book (a limited edition
of three) containing a collection of photocopied genuine reviews, previews,
interviews and editorials alongside a series of fakes (including imitations
of art magazines such as Frieze and Art Monthly): all have been taken from
Dawson's 'Certified Eulogy & DIY' series which has appeared over the last
three years. A novel twist is provided by The Gallery Guards' 'Voices of
Poetic Reason', a comments book containing the remarks of famous people
(both living and dead (i.e. Andy Warhol, Sid Vicious, Peter Sellers, Brian
Eno and Christopher Eccleston) about 'Essential Phenomena' a week before it
had taken place. The comments were sourced by a legitimate 'medium'
(conducted at The Chelsea Hotel, NYC, USA) who used long-distance,
telepathic mind-reading techniques and psychic powers.
Acting as an altarpiece for Dawson's alter egos is a large makeshift
pin-board titled 'Working from a Different Press Release, (Studio Practice
Parts 1 to 5)', which displays various artifacts, notes, drawings, plates,
certificates, Polaroid's, garments and photographic banners laid out in
Rorschach test formation.
Brian Reed explores the realms of authoritarianism and enlightenment in the
face of growing tension between opposing ideologies and civilisations, and
the battle for control of our aspirations. Reed examines all this through a
series of text-based objects and photographic works. Utilising the changing
interpretations and open meanings of statements, this series of works
remains ambiguous in both its attitude and stance.
His wooden Bingo Jesus sign is inspired from an old bingo hall in Manchester
that is now used as an evangelical church, and stands, like the hall itself,
as a symbol to the world of instantly obtainable salvation and fulfillment.
It is a new version of the piece first shown in 'To the Glory of God, New
Religious Art' at the Liverpool Biennale. In a development and progression
to the theme, the photographic piece Mecca Bingo, with the hall excised from
the photograph, leaving only the Mecca sign and a pelican crossing, which
appears to the viewer like an illuminating pathway, creates a discourse
between different belief systems and the divine right.
Other works by Reed include Same Day Cleansing, a cardboard sign alluding to
both ethnic cleansing and spiritual cleansing. While Cull, a bronze cast of
rubber stamp, explores the power that one individual or group has over
others and the desire to obtain and maintain that power at any cost. Advance
Warning is a wall painting that uses the visual language of urban-protest
graffiti to act as a sign of unrest and discontentment.
Hand, a photograph depicting a lone raised hand of a bronze monument erected
by those in power to convey their importance is set in the motion of voting,
seeking or, more sinisterly, the last movements of someone being shot in the
back.
Both artists' works probe contemporary belief systems and the mechanisms of
value and values. Essential Phenomena will be touring in 2004.
Mike Dawson graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University MA (Art as
Environment) in 2000. Since then he continues to pursue his art practice
whilst undertaking roles such as Visual Arts Editor for Flux Magazine, founding curator for Flux Space, and consultant for
comme Ca Art. He's exhibited both nationally and
internationally, and recent shows include 'AT THE END OF THE DAY' at
Cornerhouse, Manchester as a part of 'artranspennine03', 'Thermo03' The
Lowry Centre, Salford and 'BOOTLEG' Spitialfields Market, London. He has
also gained regular media coverage in Flash Art, Dazed & Confused, I.D and
Artist newsletter. His work has begun to be collected widely and is
included in the collections of the Dewhirsts, Frank Cohen and Tom Bloxham
(Urban Splash).
For further info visit: http://www.mikedawsonart.com
Brian Reed graduated from Central St. Martins. Since then he continues to
produce works in varied formats and alias. He's exhibited both nationally
and internationally, and recent shows include 'BOOTLEG' Spitialfields
Market, London. He has also gained regular media coverage in Flash Art,
Dazed & Confused.
Preview: 24th October, 6-10pm
Open: Friday to Sunday 12-6pm or by appointment
For more information and images please contact
Mike on +44 [0] 7801030290 or Jari on +44 [0] 7766 918992
VTO Teesdale Street London E2 6PU Tel: +44 [0]20 7729 5629