Dear Filep, dear iDEALS, Visiting KAMA, Sex & Design at the Triennale Design Museum yesterday, it occurred to me that a more apt name would probably have been SITE SPECIFIC. Far more intriguing and rendering homage to the artists that indeed did do just that, create site specific installations on the theme of eros. The remainder of the exhibition is a hodgepodge of objects related to the subject, from indecent food to anatomical furniture with a bit of antiquities
thrown in, to remind us that historically genitalia have been
depicted in many ways in as many cultures. Unfortunate, also, that
nothing really could be touched nor eaten, as clearly most of the
entities on display were designed to be. A few more interactive
opportunities would have enhanced the exhibition greatly.
That said, Nigel Coates’ installation came with tablets, which,
pointed at the furniture, overlay the scene with short movies of a
nude couple exploring the various possibilities of the furniture
on display. So you don’t have to.
A great example, though, of a “no touch” installation, expressly
designed so as to enhance desire, are Nendo’s shivering bowls.
Seemingly made out of bone china until the fan behind moves slowly
over each section, literally bringing them to life. Almost a 3D
embodiment of Japanese wajirushi, possessing the same delicacy yet
un-confounded erotiscm.
On the other side of the spectrum is Betony Vernon’s sculptural
body art, joined by her first ever, rather explicit, foray into
marble. Beautiful, though slightly reminiscent of Constantin
Brancusi’s exploration, in the same medium, of the phallic form.
Other highlights:
Nacho Carbonell’s womb like Unknow Shell, which speaks of intimacy and the exploration of a woman’s mind and body.
The artist himself speaks about the no touch rules of regulation
and limitation here.
However, to get a closer view, Rosanna Orlandi has a permanent exhibit of his work at her gallery.
And, Matali Crasset’s installation Cuchotements, consistsing of a room of love, or room for lovers, an audio and visual experience, echoing the psychological aspects of a relationship. Maybe the
one installation that corresponds closest to the meaning of Kama:
pleasure of all senses.
You may want to judge for yourselves, the exhibition is on until
the 10th. of March. After all Dezeen’s most popular 2012 post in
architecture and design was this one.
Enna Halie
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