Late Night Art:’Storeroom/Showroom’-
Inventory.

Thursday, 06 October 2011, 6-9pm

Object 08: ‘Paint roller tray with peachy coloured paint hardened onto it, 2 rollers one large and one small are hardened into the paint, a piece of plastic bag is stuck to the top of the roller tray and  roller paint is completely solid, it looks like it has all been there for quite some time. A darker colour of paint partially covers the handle of the roller.’

Imagine: all your hidden objects from your drawer or your tucked away household items from the loft- which might and will never be of use in the future- are shown in public. Projected against the window for everyone to see: a pleasant idea, a public clean up or a nightmare?
The Storeroom/Showroom project undertaken by Belfast-based artist collective PRIME (Charlotte Bosanquet, Alissa Kleist, Tonya McMullan) takes the form of an artistic excavation, whereby the three members of PRIME investigate the objects found in the storeroom adjacent to the gallery.

So far, the work undertaken by PRIME has consisted of a three-stage process that is done in sections over different days.

The process consists of:

Stage 1- Archiving

Stage 1 consists of carefully removing each individual object from the storeroom (this is done by methodically working from the front towards the back of the room). Using a computer, the object is allocated a number, and a detailed description of the object is given, with information about its size, colour, shape etc., describing any interesting or noticeable features. The object is then brought upstairs to be photographed.

Stage 2- Photographing

During Stage 2, each object is set-up in a well-lit area with its pre-allocated number clearly displayed next to it (this is done using cardboard number plates). The object is then photographed, and care is taken that the object is displayed similarly to how it was found in the storeroom. The object is then placed in a queue where it will be collected to be stored

Stage 3- Storing

The object is given a stick-on label with its pre-allocated number marked on it. It is then brought to a secondary storage space elsewhere in the building. Here it is placed on a shelf, together with other similar or related items from the storeroom. The object’s number is then added to a ground plan its outline is sketched on a second plan showing a frontal perspective of the secondary storage space. There is an area in the secondary storage space allocated for objects that are thought to be rubbish, broken or of no apparent value.

Using this three-stage process PRIME will create a detailed written and visual inventory of what was in the storeroom, what it looked like and where it was re-positioned for possible future use. Once the entire storeroom has been emptied entirely a more detailed history of a number of objects will be investigated

This is what Peter Mutschler, at PS2,  wrote about the start of PRIME’s residency:

Storage space – a buzz word for all estate agents and home owners and an important topic in make over shows. The more the better, to tuck away what isn’t really needed right now but what might be of use some time in the future.
PS² has its storage space- and it is a mess: layers of used material- miniature ladders and swings for birds, bags of clay, signs for auditions, empty flower pots, school tables, embroidery frames- all relicts of past projects, layers of cultural sediment or plain rubbish.
And like the energetic and problem solving presenter in the shows, the PRIME collective have the solution:

In a team effort, Charlotte Bosanquet, Alissa Kleist and Tonya McMullan will be the archaeologists, archivists or plain cleaners and undertake a residency in the store room of PS².
For three months the back room will be archived and documented and will form the basis of a series of reactive works made by the artist collective. The storeroom will also act as PRIME’s studio and office space for a further three months, in which the group will make new works and negotiate aspects of collaboration. 
And as much as PS² likes to get some order, there are mixed feelings: who likes to expose the hidden mess.

PRIME

Filed under: News ]]> http://primecollective.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/storeroom-showroom/feed/ 0 primecollective Showroom Storeroom http://primecollective.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/field-work/ http://primecollective.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/field-work/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:02:58 +0000 primecollective http://primecollective.wordpress.com/?p=151 Continue reading →]]> Field Work is a group exhibition with:
Colm Clarke & Tonya McMullan, Alissa Kliest & Ruaidhri Lennon, Fiona Larkin, Duncan Ross, with text by Rowan Sexton.  Field Work is curated by Charlotte Bosanquet and takes place at The Niland Gallery, Galway 19th August 2011 – 10th September2011.

Fieldwork has been conceived as a research based project in Galway. From Belfast four artists or groups have been invited for an intense 4 days to make work for the Niland Gallery. Four days to make work based on experiences of traveling to, the city and people of Galway, staying through the generosity and co-operation of locally based artists, studio members of Engage Studios. This research based approach to the show aims to create new networks between the 152 Miles that separate Galway from Belfast, cross pollinating and establishing sustainable partnerships.

Alissa Kleist reviews Philip Napier @ The Ormeau Baths Gallery and Tonya McMullan profiles her project , Give and Take.  Both articles are published  in  the May June Visual Artist’s News Sheet.