Shaun Gladwell in zombie surfers / cell project space, london
2 May 2008
zombie surfers
curated by rich (ten toes) priestley
private view Friday 2nd may, 2008
3nd may – 1st june
www.cell.org.uk
Zombie Surfers is a moment inspired by a surf session at Sennen Cove, Cornwall. An eerie fog rolled in whilst we were waiting for swell in the line-up, causing a quiet and stillness of the sea, that caused us to lose all sense of direction to the shore. For a while, we and other lost surfer souls drifted in the fog like grey shadows…waiting.
Later, on the same day, back on shore, we encountered a pristine hearse parked by the storm wall. Strapped to its roof were 2 longboards, and inside, where a coffin might usually be found, 2 short boards. The owner, with characteristic blonde shock of hair, was being berated for his lack of respect for the dead by a local fishwife.
The artists selected for Zombie Surfers may not actually be surfers, but this is not a requisite. A surfer, like an artist, is in pursuit of an elusive moment of perfection. it is this elusive moment which drives them to continue to obsessive lengths. Ironically, attainment of this legendary and enigmatic perfect moment may endanger the perpetuation of the individuals obsession, but until then we are drawn towards our goal like stumbling zombies.
Zombie Surfers examines hierarchies within sub-cultural structures and focuses on individuals obsession with inclusion or exclusion in the club. The gallery becomes the surf shack, the place of obsessive worship; its contents become its icons, effigies and shrines, and its gallerist come shack keeper its preacher. Whilst art and surfing can both be considered to be hedonistic pursuits, they are also sub-cultures with competitive challenges whose pursuit aids personal development.
For Zombie Surfers, Priestley creates the mythical surf shack within the gallery, and becomes proprietor for the duration of the show. The work selected becomes a part of the interior and display, as if whims of his alter-ego shack-keeper, and the blurring of the edges between what is art, interior and product opens a dialogue about collaboration and anti-authorship. Visitors are invited to participate and try smoothies, watch surf films, leaf through fanzines, use wifi, play surf tune classics, hang out, tune in, turn on...
curated by rich (ten toes) priestley
private view Friday 2nd may, 2008
3nd may – 1st june
www.cell.org.uk
Zombie Surfers is a moment inspired by a surf session at Sennen Cove, Cornwall. An eerie fog rolled in whilst we were waiting for swell in the line-up, causing a quiet and stillness of the sea, that caused us to lose all sense of direction to the shore. For a while, we and other lost surfer souls drifted in the fog like grey shadows…waiting.
Later, on the same day, back on shore, we encountered a pristine hearse parked by the storm wall. Strapped to its roof were 2 longboards, and inside, where a coffin might usually be found, 2 short boards. The owner, with characteristic blonde shock of hair, was being berated for his lack of respect for the dead by a local fishwife.
The artists selected for Zombie Surfers may not actually be surfers, but this is not a requisite. A surfer, like an artist, is in pursuit of an elusive moment of perfection. it is this elusive moment which drives them to continue to obsessive lengths. Ironically, attainment of this legendary and enigmatic perfect moment may endanger the perpetuation of the individuals obsession, but until then we are drawn towards our goal like stumbling zombies.
Zombie Surfers examines hierarchies within sub-cultural structures and focuses on individuals obsession with inclusion or exclusion in the club. The gallery becomes the surf shack, the place of obsessive worship; its contents become its icons, effigies and shrines, and its gallerist come shack keeper its preacher. Whilst art and surfing can both be considered to be hedonistic pursuits, they are also sub-cultures with competitive challenges whose pursuit aids personal development.
For Zombie Surfers, Priestley creates the mythical surf shack within the gallery, and becomes proprietor for the duration of the show. The work selected becomes a part of the interior and display, as if whims of his alter-ego shack-keeper, and the blurring of the edges between what is art, interior and product opens a dialogue about collaboration and anti-authorship. Visitors are invited to participate and try smoothies, watch surf films, leaf through fanzines, use wifi, play surf tune classics, hang out, tune in, turn on...
