Tuesday 6 May 2014

Pushing Boundaries by Joshua Raffell

Description: http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/img/newtemp/chelsea-logo.jpgPushing Boundaries
Chelsea MA Fine Art Interim Show

Things have got awfully tidy recently, there is a lot of finish on things. Clingfilm, gloss and the neat hospital corners. The formula merchants are out in force. They are in the market for guaranteed product Tilda Swinton
On reflection of our short time at Chelsea and the thought of writing something to accompany our interim show, it became apparent that there was a conflict of interest. Should the show be serious and “professional” or light and fun? Could light and fun really be taken seriously?
I’m reminded of a show - ‘Laughing in a Foreign Language’ at the Hayward gallery in 2008. Another reminder of how time flies! Comedy, humour and satire resonates though this complex exhibition.  It’s so subjective and variable according to culture, religion and even intelligence.
Yet here we are, despite a period of uncertainty - with a double dip recession and the prospect of running out of water, petrol and electricity. There is political unrest around the world with a shocking lean to the right in Britain with UKIP having a platform in the media. Over population threatens to add even more strain to these already difficult times.
If we take any notice of hyperrealist John Gray’s ‘Straw Dogs’ we don’t have much to look forward to, describing humanity as “a plague of bacteria that threatens to destroy the world and everything in it”. If this is true, then why even make art?
In the microscopic environment of Chelsea, full of rich diversity and cultural exchange - we can make a difference.  There can be no better way to do this than through the power of humour.
What we know of ourselves is what we know of the world.James Joyce.
We push the boundaries of our own knowledge, through reflection, evaluation and critical analysis - through the discerning eyes of our tutors. So let’s not get too caught up in the bureaucracy of the art establishment. Of course we need to be respectful of those boundaries of which we all want to pass, but as Tilda Swinton suggests things really have got awfully tidy recently, so let’s shake it up, be rough around the edges... But seriously…have some fun.

ualchelsea2014.blogspot.co.uk

Joshua Raffell MA Fine Art 

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