- Venue
- Nottingham Trent University
- Location
- East Midlands
The Final Degree show at Nottingham Trent University was an exciting array of all kinds of artwork, be it decorative arts, surface design or fine art. The space was almost intimidating reminding me a little of a biennale, displaying endless stretches of individual practices. The building is an absolute warren, which I always think gives the pieces a new type of character, with all spaces being utilized for specific reason and effect. I found there was a real sense of involvement during the wander round; a lot of audience participation within the work.
I particularly enjoyed the ‘mirror apron,’ which was put on prior to entering ‘Me, Myself and them’ by ‘James Huyton’ for this piece the audience enter a room with 3 screens, plunging you into the empty view you would find on a camcorder, however your reflection is within it. You turn trying to catch your face, occasionally catching a glance on another persons mirror apron but never on the screens. It is infinitive, stretching out endlessly. In the background an interview is being played, an uncomfortable dialogue between 2 strangers who are struggling to find common ground. I feel the self reflection, the self doubt and the confusion within their unobtrusive tones. I feel the same emotions within the room and displayed upon the screens as we all stand together turning, trying to find our faces.
Funnily enough I later discover that this conversation is a completely different piece of work. I am watching a video piece which seems very familiar when I realize that this uncomfortable conversation is what I heard previously and that we are positioned directly behind ‘Me, myself and them,” I was blown away by this collaboration. This room held a parallel meaning to the other title. We had become part of the work, we had been eavesdropping and now we could hear their thoughts as well. It was such a bizarre feeling. ‘4 minutes is all it takes,’ is a piece shown on 3 television screens. A male and female are sat awkwardly on a sofa, a line runs down the middle of the screen, separating them. In the back of the room you can hear their subconscious. A personal narration of how badly it is going for each of them. I love the soul searching; the judgmental silences and the imposition we have upon them. It is like witnessing the world’s most awkward date; the guy could even be attempting to flirt but fails hopelessly.
The Conversation between the two is displayed in text on both screens to the side of this. It emulates a formal feeling, as if it were scripted. I identified this as a perfect example of any uncomfortable conversation I have had. Asking about the weather, hobbies etc. It was great hearing their real opinions resounding around you. Insightful and clever, the piece left you feeling reflective on your own conversations and relationships. Together ‘James Huyton,’ and ‘Laura Siegel’ have created an unexpected collaborative piece. Working with each other, the pieces invite the audience to pry, both into their own thoughts and the minds of others. I thought both were very successful.
Overall the show has many highlights but be prepared for a haphazard layout. It is difficult to find everything but its worth persevering to find those really special pieces. I enjoyed feeling duped on a number of occasions and felt the work was imaginative and diverse both within the different mediums and the concepts. All in all a very good degree show which is certainly worth your time.
