If you’re having a torrid week and need some sanctuary, some of the spaces in the V&A exhibition might aide you. ‘In-between architecture‘ by Studio Mumbai Architects is a spatially faithful reproduction of a semi permanent shanty house in Mumbai. Not knowing any of that before I entered, it’s full of lovely moments of constricted proportions that wrap themselves around you. Or something – I’m tired, it’s been a long week, it helped me along. Whilst on dinky proportions and dizzying corridors, for more good stuff go experience Mike Nelson’s The Coral Reef at Tate Britain.

And here’s one I made earlier: River Dart July 2010 / Gillespie Road nature reserve September 2008.

Project Space 11 has invited four artists to respond to the question: ‘How to Look?’. Project Space 11’s prominent and visible position within a busy market brings into question how contemporary art can be accessible to a non-art audience, and how artists can provide a key or tools to assist the audience in engaging with their work. This has long been a concern for visual artists, the notion that there is an over arching ‘thing’ to ‘get’ often dissuading the viewer from engaging with contemporary art. “The problem lies in the word ‘understanding’ and its many levels which cannot be restricted to rational analysis. Imagination, inspiration, and longing all lead people to sense that these other levels also play a part in understanding. This must be the root of reactions to this action, and is why my technique has been to try and seek out the energy points in the human power field, rather than demanding specific knowledge or reactions on the part of the public. I try to bring to light the complexity of creative areas.” Joseph Beuys 1965.

This project does not wish to dictate meaning, but instead aims to illuminate audience engagement with artworks, while emphasizing that there is no one ’correct’ approach.  The work produced is more of an open ended, playful pondering of ways of looking, rather than a demonstrative gesture.

23rd June – 22nd July 2010, with work from:
The Hut Project
Townley and Bradbury
Thorsten Knaub
Craig Barnes

About Project Space 11:
Opening in June 2010, Project Space 11 is an artist-led initiative situated in the heart of Plymouth City Market,  supported by Plymouth City Council, Arts Council England and Plymouth College of Art. The setting of a traditional indoor market – a microcosm of Plymouth culture and unique in its architecture creates an unusual and challenging arena for visual art. Coordinated by five Plymouth based artists, Project Space 11 strives to critically engage with artist-led practice regionally, nationally and potentially internationally; creating a platform for artist activity in the city. The programme intends to be larger than its physical home; a small market place unit, operating as a Hub for artist led activity, with a rolling programme of events, exhibitions and happenings. Alongside this will be regular opportunities for artist networking, critical discourse and discussion.

Project Space 11 website