osa/MERZEN/

18 February 2011 - 16 April 2011

osa’s installation refers to Schwitters’ own collage technique which he called “Merz”, a method of rearranging collected objects such as papers, timber, wire, text snippets and paint. The osa are using YMCA Flag, Thank You, Ambleside, 1947 (mixed media) by Schwitters as a reference point in particular.

The installation will transform the gallery space by using materials collected and provided by the city of Manchester, with the aim to blur the border between existing space and installation i.e. frame and content.

As with city development itself, the idea deals with the transformation process of the materials through the application within the installation as well as (the transformation) of the whole (overall system) as a reaction of addition and overwriting. This leads to a deliberate context displacement.

The installation will grow in three stages: 17-19 February 26-28 February 25-28 March and visitors are encouraged to become part of the development process by bringing their own collected materials of the built environment into the gallery.

Parts of the gallery space will be turned into a material store which not only acts as a collection point for the different ingredients of the installation, but also links back to the former function of the building (warehouse).

As within the contemporary pluralistic city (CPC), existing relationships will be shifted through continuous surprising and unexpected interrelations of the single elements as well as new ones will be uncovered; without a descriptive manual.

“Merz is sensing without knowing”, Kurt Schwitters, 1920.

YMCA Flag, Thank You, Ambleside, 1947 has been kindly loaned to CUBE by Abbot Hall Art Gallery

With thanks to -MERZMAN, GOETHE INSTITUTE, MEN, Furniture Warehouse, Cheshire Contracts Ltd, Apple Display and Shopfitting, Hope Charity Direct, J W Lees Brewery

 Exhibition curated by CUBE's Creative Director Jane Anderson

Download Essay by Steven Gartside here

osa/MERZEN Image Gallery