‘I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society… When visitors came … there was but the third chair for them all… and… we often parted without being aware that we had come very near to one another…'
Walden; or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau page 107
Using the above excerpt as a catalyst, artists Brigit Heller and Michelle Mantsio began with a table and two chairs. As a conversation between friends the table was made by Brigit and the chairs were made by Michelle.
Solitude, visitors and the village is an opportunity to explore and broaden Thoreau’s orientations of solitude, visitors, and the village bringing attention to the loftier qualities of an attentiveness to nature. Walden is often described as a manual for self-sufficiency. In response these artists have questioned their relationship to the utility of tools, space and company. Through sculpture and installation each artist has questioned how these transcendental ideologies between humans and nature reconcile with the proximity of urban society. What do you need? Who is the visitor? How do you negotiate the space in between?
Barn Gallery, 21 September - 11 November
Exhibition Opening: Saturday 22 September, 2pm - 4pm
Light refreshments provided
All welcome
Please RSVP to montsalvat@montsalvat.com.au or on (03) 9439 7712
Artist Floor Talk: Friday 26th October, 11am
All welcome
Artwork credit: Brigit Heller (detail)