Under discussion © Allora and Calzadilla © Chantal Crousel © Lisson gallery
If you have been to the Frieze Art Fair in recent years, you may now expect to wander amongst an accumulation of glass cabinets, mirrors and neon signs.
As someone exclaims on my right "I've been here for three hours and haven't seen any art yet !", so it's a relief to bump into meaningful work - mostly of political sustance.
First, Allora and Calzadilla famous for their film Under discussion where a puertorican activist from a disobedience movement crosses the restricted waters of Vieques on a motorised table.
The table was used as metaphor for discussion on fishermen rights and access to environmental justice.
The Plover's Wing © Marcus Coates © Kate MacGarry/ Photo © Chris Osburn
Then, a subversive video who has created a line-up of visitors stuck onto the screen trying not to giggle despite the serious context.
At Kate MacGarry gallery all eyes are on Radio shaman and the Plover's wing : the bemused audience tries to make sense of this guy in adidas tracksuit, broken glasses and badger-hat who drinks tea with the mayor of Holon.
As he goes into a trance, and grunts like a plover, delivering answers about a social dilemma, the israeli mayor doesn't appear so impressed - or maybe just a bit embarrassed.
And like the female translator who probably gets bored often and now has to resist exploding into laughter, this guy has made my day !
Thank god for Marcus Coates !
