The art world seems to have either scorn or doubt for a contemporary practice featuring painting. Ad Minoliti’s first UK exhibition features work by a range of artists and a range of media. These works have been displayed in a non-traditional manner, there’s no hint of a white cube and painting hung on the wall approach. Instead, the paintings and videos are arranged around sofas, to simulate a cozy interior setting. At times it appears like the paintings are just putting their feet up watching TV.
In the other half of the gallery space, or should I say living room, are mannequins clothed and facing a series of paintings. Both the paintings and installation examine lifestyle magazines, but in the paintings the human figures have been replaced with anthropomorphic ones. The post-war Californian and modernist ideals of home have been transposed into a trans-human utopia. The heteronormative lifestyle images have been reimagined, a reminder of the performative nature of gender roles.
Like gender roles, within this show the traditional role of painting has also been reimagined. In this utopian world painting can have a multitude of new identities. Patterns or figures that appear within paintings have been replicated within the other works, like a leitmotif. In recent years, a trend of displaying work as a multimedia installation has appeared. This is one of the best I have seen.
Ad Minoliti: Playtime is at Edel Assanti until 23rd April www.edelassanti.com
Living con Mano, 2013 Collage on cardboard 24 x 36 cm 9 1/2 x 14 1/8 in
