liminal: a question of position
By Sylvia Arthur
Art, by its nature, is a subjective form.
One man’s Picasso is another man’s Jack Vettriano. Which is why Liminal, an interactive group exhibition at Rivington Place, is a curious proposition to critique. While I wandered around the three-storey, David Adjaye designed gallery in a state of virtual bemusement, others were clearly enjoying taking part in making art.
Liminal: A Question of Position is about city life seen through the eyes of twenty ethnically-diverse artists investigating the urban experience through digital media. Through various collaborative works between the creatives and across continents, Liminal seeks to question our physical and cultural orthodoxy, taking the themes of identity and boundary as its base. Or as the brochure puts it, “Liminal is concerned with interactions between the city, new media, technologies and cultural diversity. Information architectures share similarities with the architectures of cities, of institutions and bureaucracies and of the corporation and the state.” This is a grand description for a largely uninspiring display.
The most popular installation is Wall Ball. Visitors are invited to complete a mosaic of a giant multicultural face by throwing a ball against computerised panels to make up a finished visage. But London Underground is a far more intriguing work that combines images of the tube network with a low frequency electromagnetic recording that acts as a metaphor for the claustrophobia and intensity of urban living.
This form of art isn’t for everyone. The exhibition feels disjointed and suffers from being too ambitious in its scope. The connections between the various installations aren’t always clear. But if you’re in the area and have a free afternoon then Liminal is worth a visit, if only to admire the impressive structure of Rivington Place. If you're after some lighthearted edutainment, then this could be for you.
Liminal: A Question of Position is at Rivington Place in London until 25 April, 2009.
