Walking south on Tenth Ave in Chelsea I noticed a strange storefront. It was the Lisson Gallery, or was it. Inside a bizarro Travel Agency had taken up shop, and now that I was certain it was an art installation, I had to go in.
It was the type of installation that immerses you into a new world instantly. My senses had already been tricked from the street, and with the first step in the door your foot hits thick carpet, something quite rare for New York City, transporting you out of the harsh city and into the artist’s realm. Travel posters, paintings and homemade walking sticks clutter the space. Water bubbles from a sculptural fountain and a nearby fish-tank.
There’s no easy way to describe all of the installation, pictures and words will fail the experience. The work is completely thought out, dense with details, and sharply humorous. Motivational plaques and posters of far away lands seem in place in the disheveled office, but on further inspection each is a parody. The entire space is a strange scene like something from a dated movie. Signs inform viewers future construction to the space as electronic humanoid forms work on unknown tasks at desks. Treasure is hidden everywhere: large walking sticks have mirrors on them to see parts of the exhibition only viewable from strange perspectives, slightly immodest paintings are partially covered by large curtains that you can pull back, and headphones in the “office” area have additional media. This allows viewers to engage with the work on multiple levels.
Lisson has given Laure Prouvost their first solo show in New York City and the investment has paid off with a competent show that will make you smile. DEEP TRAVEL Ink is a compelling show that restructures experience and is worth the visit to the gallery.
Check Lisson’s site for upcoming shows and follow Laure Prouvost on their personal site. Check out SharksEatMeat for more weekly reviews like this, daily art, culture and more.
Review by John Aaron Coulter
@sharks_eat_meat
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