A Slice of the Universal: Review of Universal Shipping Box on at Twenty+3 Projects: November 23rd: A quiet terrace house in South Manchester holds an unassuming gallery with international artworks transported in pizza boxes. Contrary to its understated exterior the exhibition bursts with exclamations about our modern view of ‘Universal’ and ideas on globalisation. Subconsciously the exhibition seeks to reignite a discussion about the curatorial process as an extended art form.
Pizza Delivery
Contained in Pizza boxes the exhibition has been reassembled in Buenos Aires, Berlin and Manchester. The aptly titled; Universal Shipping Box, derives from it's theme and transportation method of pizza boxes. Heidi Schaefer, curator and gallery owner explains, “The theme is really two fold… in a lot of countries, like Argentina, it’s hard to get funding as it is in Berlin, so it had to be something universal and pizza boxes are cheap, and everywhere". Artist were invited to take part by sending their responses to Heidi’s brief in a pizza box, which in turn toured the 3 countries.
.jpg)
Revisiting the past
Delving further in to the theme’s alternative notion, Heidi makes reference to the 1950's, 'Family of Man' exhibition curated by Edward Steichen. The theme of this photography exhibition was a documentation of universal subjects prominent in all cultures such as joy, war and birth. Although this iconic exhibition comprised of an astonishing 503 photographs from over 60 different countries it was not without it’s critics. Heidi explains “Some philosophers and critics said…. it was a very Eurocentric take on the theme of universal.” Adding, “ what with globalisation, the economy and everything, I thought it was an appropriate time to revisit this theme”.
The zeitgeist of the universal
Unlike 'Family of Man', 'Universal Shipping Box' displays the works of a modest 14 artists, yet the work is probably no less eclectic. A poster depicting the periodic table with abbreviations of some of the worlds most powerful companies instead of chemical elements makes a bold statement about the state of global economy and power. Next to which sits video imagery of a paper globe placed over a lamp, beautifully highlighting the (probably) hundreds of holes that have been punched in to it. The work conjures up symbolic notions surrounding a growing population consuming the earth, as each being leaves physical and environmental indentations upon it. The body of work as a whole when paired with its title becomes a very zeitgeist affair. Connoting contemporary, environmental, economical, and geographical issues, they simultaneously imply the imperative emergence these subjects contain.
Keeping it free ‘n’ ambitious
The curatorial process of this gallery highlights the diversifying modern attitude towards art, “I don’t have a very strong mandate like ‘it has to be this kind of work.’ I don’t want the shows just to be predictable. I’m sure people can see strands in it that are similar because everyone has a particular aesthetic but I try and keep mine as broad as possible”, explains Heidi. The accommodating nature of the exhibition through it’s cheap transportation method and ambition to use international emerging artists demonstrates a broad understanding of wider cultures and willingness to be able to learn from them. Just over half a century later than Family of Man and with a lot less works than it’s inspirational predecessor, Universal Shipping Box gives an interesting overview to issues that are currently perceived to be universal. The assorted medium of the works symbolises the diversity we have become accustomed to, the content is contextual of the information-based world we have become reliant on and the curatorial process is demonstrative of the possible cross-cultural-contact we take for granted.
********************************************************************************************
The exhibition runs until the 4th December 2010, open 12-7 Saturdays or by appointment. Find out more about future Twenty+3 Projects: http://www.20plus3.co.uk/index.html
