We were able to get a guided tour of “Bedlam” by Steve Lazarides last week while we were in London. The exhibit titled “Bedlam” was put together by Lazarides Gallery with the help of the Old Vic tunnels, HTC. The event is the 3rd and final installation from Lazarides at this historic location. Walking through the exhibit we were able to talk to some of the artists involved and also get first hand explanations of some of the work. Most of the work was in process but we were able to shoot some preview images of the work to share with you. Our main reason for covering the event was to see the Connor Harrington and Antony Micallef pieces. These paintings and their installations do not disappoint. The lost art of painting seems to stand its ground against the numerous installations in the exhibition. We were not familiar with all the artists and I am sure the final installations will be great. Most of the work was in process so it was hard to see some of the more intricate installations be completed. We do know that there was a ton of work involved and the scope and scale will definitely surprise you. The exhibition opens tonight in London free of charge.
The opening coincides with this weeks Frieze Art Fair in London. I mention this as it seems that there is a definite move into a contemporary market with this new exhibition. We weren’t able to see last years exhibition in person, but there are many new artists in this show. With the more installation based and conceptual work, Lazarides moves into new territory with his curating. Known for being a proponent of street art and “Outsider Art” it would seem that he is stepping into the new arena of contemporary art. For me all current art is contemporary, yet the word “contemporary” seems to mean high art as compared to lesser forms of art. Were not saying we agree with this, only mentioning it as reference to the term. We don’t see the installation work as outsider art as much as we see it as contemporary or conceptual. In this aspect it is a little different seeing what would normally be murals or spray painted walls from David Choe, DVS, and others.
As a whole I think the exhibit will have some amazing moments, and also some points of discontinuity. We see the progression, and applaud the approach yet we leave it to you to experience for yourself. It was great to be able to see how hands on Steve Lazarides was with the exhibit, his attention to detail on lighting and the small things was a pleasant surprise. The technology heavy installations will be interactive at times with the HTC product sponsorship. We know this is at sometimes necessary to throw an event like this where installations are being built over sellable artwork, yet it seems to come across cumbersome in its execution involving the artists actual work. I would say this show is definitely worth a look if not only to see Connor and Antony’s beautiful paintings in person.
GF
“For the third and final year…
…Lazarides will be returning underground to the Old Vic Tunnels to resurrect the madness of previous years in a brand new exhibition.
Bedlam, presented in association with HTC, will launch this October to coincide with Frieze Art Fair for two very mental weeks.
Taking its cue from London’s
infamous mental institute…
…the art event expands upon the term’s modern day usage to include the brutality long associated with lunatic asylums to a much looser interpretation indicative of a state of chaos, disorder and extreme confusion.
It will certainly leave you questioning your ‘compos mentis’ an experience that will showcase the line between genius and madness has never been so thin.
The free exhibition, coinciding with this year’s Frieze Art Fair, opens its doors to the public on 9th October through to 21st October. The exhibition creatively explores the term ‘BEDLAM’ (derived from Bethlem – the London hospital first to specialise in the mentally ill) and its modern day usage. Art installations will reference the brutality long associated with lunatic asylums along with a much looser interpretation indicative of the state of chaos, disorder and extreme confusion.
HTC has joined forces with Lazarides Gallery to present ‘Bedlam’- the exciting partnership is indicative of HTC’s position as a thought leader in design and imaging. Upon arrival each guest will be presented with a HTC device pre-loaded with an audio book tour of the exhibition. Narrated by Steven Lazarides (owner of the Lazarides Gallery) and the contributing artists, the tour will provide clarity on what guests will see and experience during their visit. HTC has also worked with exhibiting artist ATMA on a dedicated art installation called the ‘Bedlam Beat’. The standout piece displays and comments on the social effects of the digital era, made up 200 HTC One X handsets and 200 chargers. The installation, as its name suggests, displays a beating heart pumping in slow motion which symbolises human breathing.
In addition to ATMA, contributing artists also featured in the exhibit include: 3D, Antony Micallef, Artists Anonymous, Conor Harrington, Ian Francis, Doug Foster, Karim Zeriahen, Lucy McLaughlan, Tina Tsang, Michael Najiar, Tessa Farmer, Nashev, Tobias Klein, War Boutique, Kelsey Brookes, Klaus Weiskopf and Dan Witz.”
