Diffusion Post #1
This morning it felt that Diffusion, Cardiff’s festival of photography was definitely here. Granted I missed the opening at St. David’s hall last night, but from seeing the banner’s around the Bay and hearing about it on Pitch on Radio Cardiff this morning I think it’s safe to say: it has begun….
Not unlike the calm before the storm I can already anticipate an onslaught of through-the-lens media, no doubt resulting in art-hangovers and regular hangovers in the coming weeks. Jennifer Allen put what is coined as ‘the art hangover’ into context beautifully in frieze a few months ago, half as a bacchanalian lust for art, half as mental exhaustion from saturation. I for one welcome the hangovers. First on my checklist was The Brothers by Elin Høyland at Norwegian Church Art Centre. A queer little space, usually displaying the work of local amateur artists or community artist groups alongside the occasional Roald Dahl show, takes a look at the lives of two brothers living in rural Norway, exploring their routines, their dependency and their idyllic county life. Aside from the romantic connotations there is a beautiful narrative constructed from this exhibition; A very clear exploration of the unspoken love between brothers dependant on each other, for work, for company, for shelter. A very interesting show, the venue’s ideals (as a church, a Norwegian one at that) reflect well in the work displayed. As a contemplative notion, one photograph depicts the brothers in their bedroom, sat on their beds opposite each other; then another shot, with the same image constructed, but with one brother missing. Is this the fate of the brothers? Or did he simply go collect more wood for the fire? These questions allow a personal narrative to arrive and with it a long lasting insight into their rural domain.
Diffusion: www.diffusionfestival.org
