Brackens’s woven textile artworks are displayed on walls, and two of his works are hung from wooden stands. In the two standing works, the backs including the knots are visible. This is a great opportunity to observe the construction of the work, rarely shown. In break and tremble (2019), the colors of the yellow horse connected to the tree and the dark gray background are reversed on front and back. In American Wedding (2018), stripe patterns on the background and the four figures are clearly shown on the front, but only a part of one figure is recognizable on the back. A plain yellow ground and red stripes appear abstract from the other textiles. The artist's bold decision to show the backsides provides an intriguing aspect for viewers to interact with, and makes them react longer to look closely at the difference between the two sides on the same pieces and processes of making. Additionally, the exhibition draws people’s attention in to the space with its glass wall facing towards the museum cafe. People in the cafe can easily find out, see through, and be led to the space with curiosity from the large and remarkable textile pieces displaying semi-abstract and simplistic, yet recognizable subject matters.
How do you know the backs are rarely shown? And are you sure that displaying the backsides was the artist’s decision? I think it would be worth it to cite your sources for these details, because now I read them as assumptions. I suggest speaking from your own experience rather than telling your readers that “viewers [...] look closely at the difference between the two sides.” If the exhibition made you want to compare front to back, you could say that and describe your experience. I also wonder if you noticed any drawbacks to the show being right beside the cafe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about this show! I didn't get a good look at it, so it was nice to revisit it.
-Joy