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SMITH announces one of a kind group collaboration show, ‘On Second Thought’ 29th May- 20 June.
SMITH presents a unique group show, ‘On Second Thought,’ which brings together a collective of friends and associates from HOICK Studio. The five artists have collaborated on ten sculptural works, which are to be exhibited along with framed photographic and other multi-media interpretations of said pieces in various states of combination and arrangement.
Dale Lawrence, Claire Johnson, Bella Knemeyer, Ben Johnson and Franco Fernandes collaborated on every aspect of each piece and chose the word ‘Monument’ as a departure point - a word that stems from the Latin word ‘monere’ meaning ‘to remind’ and refers to constructions intent on reminding us of a particular person, event or achievement.
It is evident that monuments are problematic, as they are exemplars of things deemed worth remembering. Therein lies the rub. Firstly, what is important to remember? And whether or not a monument is effective? It is plain enough that there are as many meanings of a monument as there are witnesses to it. Perspective and perception are important players. To be sure, if a monument is intent on triggering memory it is also as unreliable – and as deeply personal - as memory itself.
“We wanted to turn the value of a monument away from a singular idea and towards ambiguity, spontaneity and impermanence,” says Lawrence.
To that end, the medium of papier-mâché was chosen deliberately. Not only because of time and budget constraints, but the group aimed to remove any hierarchical order between the created works. They are all of equal value.
The title of the show, ‘On Second Thought', is a salute to what the artists propose is a vital necessity to reflect on initial impulses or responses. Whether our second thought is any better than our first is less important than that we have pause to interrogate our reflexes.
“The openness and willingness to rethink your current position or belief.
The statement marks a point in a journey or decision, where it is not too late to change your mind, or to say how you feel. It is suggestive of the lightness and healthiness of an open mind,” says Lawrence.
Hoick is a creative studio jointly based in Cape Town and London, grown from the partnership of Dale Lawrence and Stephen Manion.
‘On Second Thought’ will run from the 29th May until the 20th June at SMITH in Cape Town.