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NEW CONTEMPORARIES

Discovering how art can make a fool of you.

The New Contemporaries annual show was set up in 1949 and, despite being stopped a couple of times, is in full throttle this year with a very strong set of artists. The aim of the show is to give artists who've just finished their art degrees a chance to exhibit their work in a professional art gallery. The idea is to take the work out of an educational context and bring it into the professional world. It's a chance to break out into the real world.

There's an intense selection process, with artists, writers and previous New Contemporaries on the panel. With over 1,200 this year, around 35 are selected for the show. The show moves every year; this year it's temporary home is at the Rochelle School, East London.

So, what of the show? It's funny how the simplest ideas stick in your mind when you come out: a crying call on the stairs, the naked couple sitting on a bench, and a short film of two puppets showing each other their throbbing hearts (literally). The most impressive piece I saw actually embarrassed me. By the time I made it upstairs, the area was filling up fast with a one in one out system. I made my way over to the corner where a bunch of people in hoods were looking at a plinth. They were truly engrossed by it. I tried to peer over their shoulders but felt a bit silly as they were not budging. Wondering what on earth it might be, I pretended to look out the window for my 'late friend' until, all of a sudden, I felt my cheeks burn red with embarrassment: the bunch of people weren't real people at all. Who was the fool now? I tried to make a joke with a fellow fool but it didn't make it any better. The artist had won - I was embarrassed.

If you're in the East end, check out the bizarre mix of short films, paintings, photography, sculpture and sound. Just don't be fooled.

The New Contemporaries 2008 @ Rochelle School.

Categories Art Tags Exhibitions Art

By on 12/12/08