Event 3: Singular Spaces: From the Eccentric to the Extraordinary in Spanish Art Environments

     I was very intrigued by this particular exhibition as the nature of the creations are very different from ordinary art pieces. First, unlike conventional art pieces that are created and developed over months and years of planning, these designs are produced organically without formal architectural or engineering plans by eight artists. Next, the Spanish art environment is very day to day oriented. Not only are their works always ongoing and improvisational, the works are also built on or within the artists’ own personal space, whether it be homes, gardens or farms.

     The first thing I noticed about this particular exhibition is its location. Rather than having all the selected photographs display inside an assigned exhibition hall, the photographs were scattered throughout the hallways inside the Fowler museum. Although it is unclear whether the placements of these photographs are intentional, their position seems to align with the informal theme of the Spanish art environment.

    Out of all the photographs, I was especially interested in the shell houses, constructed by Francisco del Rio Cuenca in Montoro, Cordoba, Spain. Not only is the house beautifully decorated with shells from walls to walls, the story behind the work creates a personal connection through the use of space and art. It was said that a truck loaded with clams accidentally discharged its cargo near the inland village, thus Francisco took advantage of the situation and adorned the house with the shells.

                        

     Overall, I think that this exhibition is very relevant to our day to day life in respect to space. Referring back to week one’s concept of strict distinction between fields not only in theory but also in physical space, art is typically thought of as a discipline that requires a distinctive taste, an acquired education and is out of reach for many. In addition, artworks are typically displayed in a fixed setting, after the work is completed. However, these self taught artists/homeowners manage to use their own property to modify their living into a continually evolving art piece, blurring the lines between art and daily living.