Martin Boyce No Clouds or Streams No Information or Memory
Throughout the space, intersecting walls create a disorientating environment in which the viewer to encounters a repetition of telephones, chairs and doors. Each with their own presence and character, three chairs are individually positioned against doors, their adjustable backrests wedged against its handle, forcing them shut. Since its first iteration in 1999 as Chair (Noir), Boyce’s reference of this cinematic device has evolved to include industrial references as well as that of the Arts and Crafts movement. Each chair’s action suggests a personality of guardianship, becoming an aid to protect the room from whatever malevolent force that lies beyond. Moreover, this strange domestic still life provides an uncanny reflection towards the context of contested territories, borders and isolationist politics.
In the sense of silence and stillness, the tension of expectation and potential is rich: the phone threatens to ring as the door pushes against the chair.
Steel, acrylic on aluminium, painted silicone moulded vacuum cast resin, coiled telephone cable
221.5 x 165.8 x 15 cm, 87 1/4 x 65 1/4 x 5 7/8 in
Steel, oiled plywood, tracing paper and ink
64.1 x 75.4 x 4 cm, 25 1/4 x 29 3/4 x 1 5/8 in
Steel, acrylic on aluminium, painted silicone moulded vacuum cast resin, coiled telephone cable
167 x 121 x 15 cm, 65 3/4 x 47 5/8 x 5 7/8 in
Galvanised steel, expanded steel mesh, stained julep wood, brass
178.5 x 204 x 75.5 cm, 70 1/4 x 80 1/4 x 29 3/4 in
Steel, acrylic on aluminium, painted silicone moulded vacuum cast resin, coiled telephone cable
167 x 121 x 15 cm, 65 3/4 x 47 5/8 x 5 7/8 in
Steel, acrylic on aluminium, painted silicone moulded vacuum cast resin, coiled telephone cable
167 x 121 x 15 cm, 65 3/4 x 47 5/8 x 5 7/8 in
Painted aluminium, perforated aluminium, stained julep wood, brass
205.5 x 108 x 91 cm, 80 7/8 x 42 1/2 x 35 7/8 in
Steel, acrylic on aluminium, painted silicone moulded vacuum cast resin, coiled telephone cable
221.5 x 165.8 x 15 cm, 87 1/4 x 65 1/4 x 5 7/8 in
Steel, oiled plywood, tracing paper and ink
64.1 x 75.4 x 4 cm, 25 1/4 x 29 3/4 x 1 5/8 in
Stained wood, painted wood, brass
205.5 x 99.5 x 85 cm, 80 7/8 x 39 1/8 x 33 1/2 in
Steel, oiled plywood, tracing paper and ink
64.1 x 75.4 x 4 cm, 25 1/4 x 29 3/4 x 1 5/8 in