Is turning a (hypothetically white cube) gallery space into a cinema a bit of a cop out? Well yes and no. This piece is in connection to my recent contribution to our annual Mathew Gallery exhibition, Chambers St, Edinburgh. My first point is this, this is not an exhibition you apply for, are selected to enter or even voluntary, it is a requirement by Edinburgh University for its fine art students wrapped up as a privilege. The space falls neatly between the white cube and the black box – a grotty shade of grey, a site where no piece of art, or film sits comfortably, set within a highly secure, card operated university building system which few people can enter. This year the idea was clear, we take a few hours or a day each, set up a running program of events and get in and out of there as quickly as possible. My concept was relatively simple too – move the entire contents of my flat in for a day, a kitchen area, comfy lounging space etc and a giant movie screen to show classic films. While thought was minimal, logistics were not, in fact if simplicity was the only goal there were many things I could have done which would have been more effective. Why make this my ‘piece of art’? Circumstantially I feel that now perhaps this was not the time to be churning out another piece of paper or two for under the bed, or worse, a sculpture that would not fit under said bed. Instead it seemed more realistic to work with what I’ve got. More than this however it seemed the most appropriate time to give people back a day, to legitimately laze around watching films, eating cake and not feel guilty. In our fast paced society the art of getting people to stop relax and come up for air should not be underestimated. Once you put the bed in the gallery you might as well get in it and enjoy the show!

A recent related article below is a round table discussion between Pedro Costa, Catherine David, Chris Dercon called From Black Box to White Cube.

http://www.janvaneyck.nl/0_4_6_text_files/David_Dercon_Costa.html