Whitworth Art Gallery

Q1. What connection(s) are there between the works?

The main connection I found between the images was destruction and self implosion. Cornelia parker, focused on the sort of humorous side of destruction, with cartoon death and large explosions. Cai Guo-Quiang, focused on historical aspects of destruction and and the surreal effects of bombs being dropped, using gun powder as a medium and the distressed texture it creates when used to draw with. Sarah Lucas, used cigar rates in the form of figures to capture the destroyed form and what smoking does to someone. Each of the pieces conveys different styles and challenges the onlooker, but they all come back to the main theme of destruction.  

Q2. What might the societal/cultural comment(s) be?

I think Cornelia Parker's piece reflects an object that everyone can associate with and everyone has one. She has reanimated these dead objects and given the new life, by suspending them almost in time. The social and cultural message of the piece could be to reflect on the destructive nature of our very day lives and by giving something a new life and meaning we can then look at something very differently. 

In Cai Guo-Quaing, ‘Unmanned; Nature’ the mountains and marked landscapes, with explosions represent a better land free of people which the title of the piece suggests. Thats what I get from the title, but from looking at this piece I see destruction and the water reflects that, you can see what humans have done. He has made it look beautiful though. 

 Sarah Lucas and her piece ‘Tits in Space’, was a very abstract piece of work, but one Felt had huge connotations with commenting on lifestyle choices and how people lead their lives. I think the use of the naked woman something usually seen as a beautiful form was transformed into something almost hideous and the cigarettes create that and reflected that. 

Q3. What cultural tropes or metaphors are at work in the three examples?

I think Cornelia Parkers work contains a significant meaning as in wanting to preserve something and even though dead and broken people can still hold onto something and objects however meaningless can become important again. 

Cias work contains a powerful message one of beauty and the transendence from death and destruction to one of hope. The water makes you as a person reflect on whats happened in the past. 

Q4. How does the gallery use the notion of space when presenting/ curating the work?

The exhibitions really use space cleverly and to their advantage not to hinder the work but to help create the work and connect with the work. You become immersed with the huge installations and large pieces.