Live From N.Y., It's Yesterday's News
By James Dewille
Issue date:
"The exhibit changes every day at
The exhibit comments on politics today.
The exhibit is unpredictable.
The exhibit is alive."
These words guard the entrance to Thierry Geoffroy's extensively collaborative
exhibit, "Emergency Room," at PS1. It is an installation that is as
much about the art inside as it is about the concept behind it. The show-though
its participatory nature really makes it more of an experience-pulls the viewer
into its frantic and fast-paced nature, while instilling a sense of global
awareness and even of retaliation.
French artist Geoffroy is better known throughout
"Emergency Room," already presented in
The exhibit space is a smallish gallery designed by participating artist Jean
de Pi鰡pe.
The circular shape of the room contributes to the communal, forum-like nature
of the exhibit's philosophy. Upon entry, a viewer is confronted by a multitude
of pieces, ranging from videos to performances and sculpture, on the walls and
floor. There are sounds and screens, and even the artists themselves roam
through the crowd. The atmosphere is kinetic and manic, making the gallery an
exciting place to be.
To keep in step with the unpredictable and ever-changing
nature of "Emergency Room," participation seems to be encouraged
beyond the group of artists installing works. Gray chalk sits on a ledge with a
sign encouraging viewers to scrawl messages and political commentary on the
walls. Geoffroy himself had a group of volunteers circulating through the crowd
asking visitors to write political phrases or personal mantras in permanent
marker on pieces of cloth. The volunteers then tied these around the writers'
heads, filling the room with headbands of political importance. These phrases
were later read aloud and mixed with music. Meanwhile, the artist, Susanne
Schuricht, trailed by a video camera, began a lively debate with people, asking
if they'd vote for a woman president and keeping a large tally on a wall.
Steven Day displayed a destroyed advertising book for a new, luxury residential
building going up in a historic part of Brooklyn, commenting on New York's
struggle with developments changing the face of neighborhoods. Meanwhile,
Raphaele Shirley, Lee Wells, and Paul Middendorf collaborated on a small map
reconfiguring nations such as
While these pieces each captured important and intricate issues in the world,
they are part of an exhibit in a constant state of reconception and flux. Their
existence is short-term, with each day promising a new set of stimulating
installations that delve into the important issues affecting our own lives,
from this city to the entire world. Geoffroy has truly created a forum of
discussion through "Emergency Room," with an atmosphere of a proudly
makeshift grassroots fight to raise issues, eyebrows, and awareness.
"Emergency Room" is at PS1 through March 19.