This exhibition starts at the entrance hall of Manchester Art Gallery
The retinal account, or and when you are older you will go away, you’ll see injustices and you’ll see pain 2014
Ryan has produced work inspired by Degas’ Dancer since 2008 and with each work her personal story has developed. He has given her life so she can get rid of the tutu move around, have a look etc. All her actions are an attempt to make the transition from modern art history to contemporary art practice. This version has been made specifically for this exhibition at Manchester Art gallery.
So this is the title of the exhibition based on the quote from Steve Jobs
Live each day as if it was your last.
This kinda implies that when an artist commits to a new show they are expected to produce something genuinely brilliant. This exhibition presents itself as a puzzle waiting to be solved. The importance of creativity and imagination is central to the exhibition. Armed with these qualities it urges you to solve the puzzle for yourself.
Imagineering 2013.
This film/Advertisement was commissioned by Ryan and produced and designed by Advertising Agency Kirk and Hodson Advertising. Apart from the original brief, Ryan relinquished all power over the aesthetic or conceptual choices of the advertising company ( Unlike most advertising clients!). Gander has also created the governments Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, the ministerial department responsible for economic growth, investing in skills and education to promote trade, boost innovation and help people to start and grow businesses.
In keeping with the tradition of public advertising of public bodies the agency has developed not only a TV commercial but also a print campaign. You can see an example of the poster at the entrance to the exhibition and there is also a campaign running throughout Manchester during the exhibition.
Herge’s realisation that Alpha-Art was conceptually flawed, George Remi’s realisation that Alpha- Art was conceptually flawed and Kuifje’s realisation was conceptually flawed 2004.
The 3 transfers above depict the imagined impact made as a result of Tintin being hit over the head by a sculpture, 3 times by 3 people.
The markings are Ryan’s attempt to complete the next frame of the last and unfinished comic book Tintin & Alpha-Art by Belgian cartoonist, Herge which he began in 1978 but was uncompleted on his death in 1983.
George Remi is Herge’s real name and Kuifje is the curl in TinTins hear and his Belgian name ( I think, it’s something like that anyway hence the 3 people). And you can buy the unfinished book in the Gallery shop.
Magnus Opus 2013
A pair of cartoon-like animatronic eyes emerges from the gallery wall and stares back at you. The eyes react to visitors to the exhibition displaying expressions common to how they may view contemporary art including: curiosity, boredom, anger etc
Career seeking missile 2011
A crumpled up diagram abandoned on the gallery floor shows a dinner seating plan for an imagined art dinner. When you look at the plan you can see the hierarchies of some artist and the invited guests. If you have ever had to do and implement a seating plan you know what a nightmare they can be. There was no art dinner for this exhibition just a rave/party instead. 🙂
Note to Self. Rethink everything 2012
Seven porcelain elements, displayed in a row on a long plinth with a green baize top, appear to form part of a 3 dimensional puzzle. the seven components when assembled together form a Gomboc the worlds only self righting shape, as well as elements of the Sydney Opera house.
My family before me 2006
A photograph of the artist’s family from before he was born. The photograph existed before he chose to present it as an artwork ( obviously) so he reconfigured the image by giving its title.
I also like the way he’s pointing at it.
And what if no one believes the truth? 2014
This home-made page-per-day calendar displays images and notes taken from the artist’s notebooks. It includes list of ideas etc The calendar displays only today’s date.
I is (IV), (V) and (VI) 2013
It is kinda cool and v human to make a simple den. Ryan’s daughter loves building dens . Gander has produced 3 dens in marble that his daughter has made. These sculptures capture his daughters creative development and transform them into permanent monuments of imagination.
Poison is a woman’s weapon Watson 2011
This 60 second looped video clip shows a girl jumping up and dan on a hotel bed. Her head is cut from the shot, leaving only her body visible. Details of the work scroll across the bottom of the screen, making the work an advertisement for itself.
Thing I have to remember to keep smiling 2011
Close up view of a computer keyboard. It incorporates an additional key displaying the Didactease logo. Devised by Ryan, the Didactease is a combination of symbols that state in mathematical terms:” there exists only one definition for everything, everywhere”.
Remote controls from the artwork “Things that mean things and things that look like they mean things 2008
We never had a lot of $ around here 2010
A coin has travelled through time to the art gallery from the future. It is a “quarter centi- dollar’ coin envisaged as if fallen from 2032. its value is the inflated worth of a contemporary $25 by the year 2032.
The gluing of a coin to the floor is a classic practical joke taught to Ryan by his dad.
There’s loads of other work there all making you think and enjoy have a read of the review over at The Guardian Use your imagineering: Ryan Gander’s art world of pranks and puzzles
Thursday 3th July 2014 – Sunday 14th September 2014 Manchester Art Gallery www.manchestergalleries.org
Make every show like it’s your last, is a major exhibition of work by renowned British conceptual artist, Ryan Gander. This show is part of an international tour programme but will take on special new form when it is staged in Manchester, presenting new work and work previously unseen in the UK.
Gander studied in Manchester for his undergraduate degree and will be illustrating his close connection to the city through new work created exclusively for us. The exhibition will explore two recent themes in Gander’s work; ‘Imagineering’ and ‘Culturefield.’ Bringing together various media to highlight the artist’s playful wit, the artworks in this exhibition will explore the relationships between author, work and viewer where the rules are constantly redefined.
BBC2 Culture Show: Ryan Gander – The Art of Everything
Miranda Sawyer enters the imagination of celebrated British conceptual artist Ryan Gander
WATCH www.bbc.co.uk
