09.06.2019

Today I took a visit into Manchester to see their Metropolitan University’s degree exhibition ‘Everything starts from something’. I was really looking forward to see how a popular city’s University competes with my own, and gain some ideas and inspiration for my degree show this time next year. 

MMU had buildings with multiple sections for BA degrees in their School of Art such as Sculpture, Fine Art, Media, Photography but also more specified subjects such as Interactive Art. I was pleasantly surprised with just how big the exhibition was and how much exhibiting space they have access to. It was a really interesting mixed media contemporary exhibition, with some pieces obviously more successful than others. I was expecting to see the work presented and become overwhelmed with a daunting feeling of how unprepared for this stage I am, but instead was excited and thought I stand on a similar level to these artists and works. It hasn’t lead to any inspired ideas as yet, but it has reassured me that I can produce a final show that is as exciting and as ambitious as I hoped. 

A few works that stood out for me would be this make up wipe cape/blanket. The concept jumping right out at you for makeup being a safety blanket for so many girls. Something we tend to hide behind and cover up all our insecurities with. 

I also loved the political taxidermy mouse group with what appeared to be suicide bomb vests on. The artist had made mouse doors into the wall with taxidermy mice with vests plotted throughout, along with a small projection playing inside complete with sound. As the mice were life size and the exhibit was relative to the mice, you had to get on your hands and knees to be able to hear or see the projection. 

I also found amongst the photography section, a display focusing on the effects of and companies/products that use the ingredient of palm oil. This was a really well thought out piece as the wallpaper used was a selection of products that use the substance, and in a glass museum-like display cabinet held the products. On one side you looked through the cabinet face on at the products and labels, and as you walked round you could see the list of ingredients on the back. A really effective and powerful exhibit, along with a handout that has information about palm oil, the effect it has on our environment and the products and substance names so that you can check items in the future. Having an informative hand out that the audience can take with them and learn from is similar to what I tried to do with ‘Pollushie, Is It Worth It?’, so it was great to see others doing the same on topics that are in need of conversation. 

After seeing the whole of the exhibition, I was impressed with most of the content, but the sloppy finishing touches of the exhibition throughout distracted immensely from the work. At my University, the lecturers and tutors are very picky about minute touches like small marks on walls or making sure supporting elements are painted the right colour, whether that be to make them unnoticeable or to become part of the work, touch ups like that. Well, walking around that exhibition the tutors and students obviously don’t take as much care as we do. It felt messy and sloppy and distracted the viewer and audience from the work displayed to wires hanging out or wood and floor not painted at all or properly. 

Now I have seen first hand what a difference care to details makes, I will double check my future work and installations with a fine tooth comb.