The Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts (CIRCA) is proud to present if when why what by celebrated Scottish artist Douglas Gordon. Peeping out over London’s West End, the never-before-seen work casts an eye on the iconic neon signs that came to define Soho’s historical relationship with the erotic.
Broadcasting every evening throughout December across a global network of screens (London, Seoul, New York, Melbourne, Milan, and Berlin), the commission is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Douglas Gordon: Neon Ark at Gagosian, Davies Street, London.
The Turner Prize-winning artist explains via text message:
“Neon – it’s a gas – is the number 10 (of course) in the periodic table.
Neon was not invented but ‘discovered’ and quickly became a byword or a symbol for the very essence of discovery. The thin glass tubes, buzzing with this new vibrant element inside, beckoned viewers to come on in, don’t be shy, take a chance, accept a dare and tell / don’t tell your friends…
Discovered in London, by a Glaswegian at the turn of the 20th century, it seemed natural for me to fall in love with it – first seeing signs in black and white movies and later ‘the real thing’ on Dean Street, Old Compton Street and Piccadilly Circus.
Run away from home to join the circus ?!?!
Maybe some words read better in neon – maybe some people look better under neon, maybe some places…”
Douglas Gordon, December 2022
CIRCA PRESENTS ‘IF WHEN WHY WHAT’ BY DOUGLAS GORDON
Premiere: Thursday 8 December 2022, 20:22 BST – London, Piccadilly Lights
SCHEDULE:
8 – 31 December, CIRCA 2022
20:22 BST – London, Piccadilly Lights
20:22 CET – Berlin, Limes, Kurfürstendamm
20:22 AEDT – Melbourne, Fed Square
20:22 UTC – Milan, Luxottica, Piazzale Cadorna
20:22 EST – New York, Luxottica, Times Square
20:22 KST – Seoul, COEX K-Pop Square
