Image of the week: Amanda Beech, Catalyst Arts

This week’s image of the week is Amanda Beech’s installation ‘All Obstructing Walls Have Been Broken Down’ now showing at Catalyst Arts, Belfast. In this work the artist engages in a sequence of image repetition and word-object associations which allow for a semiological investigation that manipulates the viewer-image belief system. In a manner akin to the process of neural priming, words appear as signs (or cues), divesting the object of any nuance, and allowing for the written word to overtake the importance of the image (1).

Biologically pre-wired into each of us exists a series of links and associations laid-down early in development that help us negotiate the World around us. This is an efficient way to cohesify an endless number of reactions, allowing the brain to work through a never-ending complexity of experiences (2). And yet what if our infantile priming has laid down an encoded response which has ultimately stalled our ability to accurately see the World?

For many, the work of art can create an opportunity to re-examine the status of the objects that surround us. Here the work appears to exist in a vacuum, it exists as an un-reality. There is a sheen off the objects, implying a certain pre-determined falsity to the image; the piano is newly-lacquered, as if expecting a visitor. The artist also pushes the forms within the frame back and forth between their three-dimensional ‘unreal’ attitude and into a more literal two-dimensional representation. This is done through the overlay of letters upon images, images within letters. The border to each often difficult to define.

Art exists as a valuable abstraction within the landscape of representation and narrative. It provides an essential space where the viewer can re-associate terms of reference long since lodged in the confines of learned behaviour. This work by Amanda Beech is wonderful. It masterfully opens up a host of worthwhile conversations on art, its presentation and the role of viewer.

 

(1) Roland Barthes, Elements of Semiology, (1964), publ. Hill and Wang, 1968.

(2) See, Neural Function development in the mammalian and diseased brain. Eds. John Rubenstein and Pasco Rakic (2013)

 

‘All Obstructing Walls Have Been Broken Down’ by Amanda Beech continues at Catalyst Arts Belfast until November 21st.