Create deliberately obtuse video installation piece for public display. Build dark room in which to screen it. Put seats in the room, so that the viewer can sit and enjoy your meisterwerk.

In the dark room, rig up 20 or so night-vision TV cameras to record the facial expressions of the beweirded art appreciators, relaying the images to a secret ante chamber for the delight and chuckles of your knowing artist peers.

Win Turner prize.
-- my face your, Apr 11 2003

Employ Sinister Emphasis http://www.halfbake...Sinister_20Emphasis
by Admiral Hackbar. Partial inspiration. [my face your, Oct 04 2004]

Pleiades, 1983 - (click: James Turrell, scroll once to right) http://www.mattress...rmanent/index.html#
For me, it was a mere display of darkness, as I did not stay long enough for the full effect. [XSarenkaX, Oct 04 2004]

The Turner Prize http://www.tate.org...ome/faqs/turner.htm
[my face your, Oct 04 2004]

Not popular with everyone http://www.martian.fm/turner02.htm
caution: swears. [my face your, Oct 04 2004]

Ripley’s http://www.ripleys.com/bion/niagara.html
I can’t prove it, but I’ve seen it here. [Shz, Oct 04 2004]

Glasgow Art Fair http://www.glasgowa...ages/mod_3.6/pages/
More specifically, the "Extension" conceptual art pavillion. [my face your, Oct 04 2004]

Quiz: Art or crap? http://www.modestypanel.com/artorcrap/
As you were. [my face your, Oct 04 2004]

This idea reminds me of part of a modern art exhibit I went to once in Pittsburgh's Mattress Factory museum. (linky-dink)

The exhibit is basically a bunch of nearly empty rooms, mostly dark with a distinct single color eminating from a single light source in each room. There is one room, however, that is apparently completely completely devoid of light. You have to walk down a crooked hall and use the wall as a guide to find the chair, as you couldn't see ANYTHING. I sat for about 5 or 10 minutes, but as there seemed to only be two chairs inside, and we heard other visitors getting impatient, I left before I could see any effect. :( Has anyone seen this?
-- XSarenkaX, Apr 11 2003


Someone once did an installation that automatically photographed the spectators on Polaroid film. So this is not especially original. Nor is laughing at art patrons.
-- DrCurry, Apr 11 2003


It's like reality tv, but in the photography world.
-- XSarenkaX, Apr 11 2003


Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction. Then you show that film to other patrons and film their reaction...
-- phoenix, Apr 11 2003


I think people would catch on, as they always do, and start coming up with planned reactions they think would be funny. It would lose its appeal if it got too popular.
-- XSarenkaX, Apr 11 2003


I must admit, I'm not entirely sure what it is that benfrost is saying but part of it seems to be that "it's not art unless it is in a situation/location where 'Art' is usually kept." [Is the corollary that any item of 'art' that isn't in such a setting just 'shit'?]
Well, this idea was born when I was sitting in a tent full of art in a city-centre square (link), watching a conceptual art video installation featuring emotionless people spouting ersatz Shakespeareianisms on a stage, peppered with close ups of leeks. Leeks. I spent a few brief moments looking for some sort of meaning within this, um, montage before realising that it was, in fact, shit.
And as soon as the incredulity crossed my face, hidden-camera-TV-show-inspired paranoia gripped me. What if I was being filmed for the comedy enjoyment of braying elitist fuckwits? And then, as soon as that thought synapsed across my noggin, it was replaced with a thought that perhaps such film footage could be used to show the creator of an installation that, by and large, their art doesn't touch people - it doesn't have any effect.
And then, straight away I had a better, more mischievous thought: aren't these reactions, when correctly presented, art themselves? Wouldn't such a piece be a scathing, silent critique of the nature of modern art and simultaneously a scathing, silent critique on the art-ignorance of the general public. Call it something like "Pearls Before Swine"*
Anyway, I tried to include a suggestion of each of these notions in my idea text but I think I failed, hence the explanation.

Oh and UnaBubba, I think I've probably proved that already (several times over) but I'm happy to take the money anyway.

* My next thoughts were, first, that I was a wannabe braying elitist fuckwit and, second, that it was time to stop thinking and head for the free booze.
-- my face your, Apr 12 2003



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