thu 28/03/2024

Ryan Gander: Locked Room Scenario, Artangel in Hoxton, N1 | reviews, news & interviews

Ryan Gander: Locked Room Scenario, Artangel in Hoxton, N1

Ryan Gander: Locked Room Scenario, Artangel in Hoxton, N1

Meaning, mystery and meta-detection in underwhelming scenario

Will a crumpled piece of paper unlock the mystery of 'Locked Room Scenario'?All images courtesy of the artist and Artangel

What are the most common responses to a work of contemporary art? I can think of two: “A six-year-old could have done that” (feel free to substitute “I” or “anyone”) and “But what does it actually mean?” Ryan Gander is an artist who is rather exercised by the latter. He is interested in the way we piece together scraps of evidence – overlooked details, context, history – in order to create meaning. We try to fill in the gaps. And when meaning eludes us we are often dismissive, even rather angry. Hence the protestation: “A six-year-old could have done that.” And indeed, that may well be true.

What are the most common responses to a work of contemporary art? I can think of two: “A six-year-old could have done that” (feel free to substitute “I” or “anyone”) and “But what does it actually mean?” Ryan Gander is an artist who is rather exercised by the latter. He is interested in the way we piece together scraps of evidence – overlooked details, context, history – in order to create meaning. We try to fill in the gaps. And when meaning eludes us we are often dismissive, even rather angry. Hence the protestation: “A six-year-old could have done that.” And indeed, that may well be true.

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