Public Space as Medium

>> Images from an attempt to use Tooting Bec common as a public space which could be divided and personal space forged. 

 As is clear in the above photographs it was too windy for my curtains to form a convincing dividing mechanism, and, as I was told by the park police, it looked like I was hanging up washing. This latter problem was less obvious when I used hessian and printed fabric, however it was still unsuccessful; I would have to weight the curtains at the bottom or use a different dividing material if this was to work. However the exercise was interesting in helping me think about the public space as a medium in itself. 
It has become clear that with any piece that deals with private space, the context within which it is shown is vital. If work is situated within the public realm, that space and its context potentially becomes a crucial element of the work, and could be treated as a medium to constitute the piece. Therefore for the final show I will have to consider the nature of the space; the atmosphere and the rules that will dictate how people will function within it.

Fred Sandback 

Sandback is primarily known for his Minimalist works made from lengths of colored yarn. His yarn, elastic cord, and wire sculptures define edges of virtual shapes that ask the viewer's brain to perceive the rest of the form. In describing his work he stated, "It's a consequence of wanting the volume of sculpture without the opaque mass that I have the lines." and "I did have a strong gut feeling from the beginning though, and that was wanting to be able to make sculpture that didn't have an inside." Sandback referred to his sculptures operating in pedestrian space, acknowledging both the viewer’s movement through a space and as something to be engaged actively.

The work of Fred Sandback greatly relates to my current enquiry and I think that I will develop my work in this direction. The idea of a delicate structure, subtly asserting itself upon the public space of the gallery, with which the viewers can interact and manipulate, really appeals to me.