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subscribe to style file blog via RSSnow is the winter of our disco(n)tent
January 7, 2008 11:38 am
Though last year’s Venice Biennale was lackluster, one obvious highlight was “Connection Lost,” a post-apocalyptic light piece by Russian artist Andrey Bartenev. The installation consisted of a glass tunnel lined with 50 LED spheres on which the words “Connection Lost” and a red heart flashed methodically. Flashy and trashy, it was nevertheless compelling and disquieting—you could say that Bartenev, who formerly collaborated on performance pieces with Dita Von Teese, candy-coats his statements about urban angst in twinkly, sexy fun. “Disco-nnexion,” the disco remix of his contribution to the Russian pavilion, which will be staged at London’s Riflemaker gallery from today through February 15, replicates the original, except for one major change: In the London version, the words “Connection Lost” are replaced by—you guessed it—”disco” and “nnexion.” Combine the new words and they sound out “disconnection,” which neatly ties Bartenev’s shiny new version to the one signifying alienation and overstimulation. The bright lights and thrilling whorl of the installation give it the allure of Times Square x 1,000—its flash and pulse will be visible through the windows of the former gun shop, offering an attractive explosion of light popping out onto London’s chilly winter streets.
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