An interesting and unintended sociological experiment. Or impromptu performance art...not sure which. An opening at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery for the 2009 COLA recipients. As st was one of the visual artists showing, it was an opportunity to spin up the hill on the bike and make an appearance. Little did I know it would provide an opportunity for transitory art.
St's three works were in a separate room, about 15'x25', with passthrough to another part of the gallery along with a "closet" area (no door) that was about 6'x12'. When we arrived we stashed helmets and jackets in the closet room. The opening was very well attended with a constant stream of people. Early on we noticed that people were walking into the closet, thinking that there might be an installation there. Confusing matters was the fact that the placard for a real piece in the middle of the room was on the wall right at the entrance to the closet.
After seeing a dozen or so people walk in and out of the closet, I decided to give them something to look at, and arranged the helmets and jackets on the floor. It seemed that an art opportunity was presented, so why not take it. And apparently the opportunity was not wasted and many of st's friends came up, and after congratulating her on the installation (which is stunning), asked about the "motorcycle piece." That brought about much laughter from st, and provided entertainment through the three hour opening.
The highlight of humor came when the curator flagged st down in a panic. He expressed his concern about someone who had put something into the closet space - an un-approved installation. At some point a patron had added to the piece by putting down an empty wine glass next to the jacket (thus transforming the meaning of my piece, but I digress). St calmed the curator down, assuring him that the gear was ours and it wasn't some interloper but rather a bit of whimsy.
I now need to add that piece to my resume...
Oh, and the real art in the place (apologies for the poor iPhone shots)
