Shriya NevatiaSigns of our time
October 5th 2006 06:07
Signs amuse me a great deal. I particularly like the signs found in museums and gallery exhibitions. Recently I saw one at the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square which said, ‘this exhibition contains protruding elements’. What a bizarre sign. Is it a warning, a prophesy, or is it art?
In response to the art removal signs in the Art History Department at the University of Melbourne, either the students or staff have created their own sign art:
When I was at the Melbourne zoo, one of the empty snake enclosures had a sign inside which said, ‘this exhibit is under development apologies for the disappointment’. Who is to say that everyone is disappointed? Why aren’t visitors allowed to put up their own signs which say, ‘I am disappointed with this exhibit.’
Once when I removed a work of art from an office, people complained that there was no explanatory sign. I should have put up a sign which contained some intrigue, like ‘you figure it out.’
I also enjoy a good plaque, but there’s something surprisingly powerful about the simplicity of a piece of paper with something scrawled on it. It may even be possible to create world anarchy by simply putting signs on everything which say ‘out of order.’ The capitalist society as we know it would collapse. Offenders would then be labeled with another sign which says, ‘you are out of order.’
The Melbourne University signs are inspiring, particularly because they are in response to other signs and they have made themselves into art. I think everyone can say something to the world by putting up a sign; maybe it could be in an exhibition or in a hallway or anywhere. What would your sign say?
In response to the art removal signs in the Art History Department at the University of Melbourne, either the students or staff have created their own sign art:
When I was at the Melbourne zoo, one of the empty snake enclosures had a sign inside which said, ‘this exhibit is under development apologies for the disappointment’. Who is to say that everyone is disappointed? Why aren’t visitors allowed to put up their own signs which say, ‘I am disappointed with this exhibit.’
Once when I removed a work of art from an office, people complained that there was no explanatory sign. I should have put up a sign which contained some intrigue, like ‘you figure it out.’
I also enjoy a good plaque, but there’s something surprisingly powerful about the simplicity of a piece of paper with something scrawled on it. It may even be possible to create world anarchy by simply putting signs on everything which say ‘out of order.’ The capitalist society as we know it would collapse. Offenders would then be labeled with another sign which says, ‘you are out of order.’
The Melbourne University signs are inspiring, particularly because they are in response to other signs and they have made themselves into art. I think everyone can say something to the world by putting up a sign; maybe it could be in an exhibition or in a hallway or anywhere. What would your sign say?
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