Day 13: In the Eye of the Storm
The Turbine Hall in the Tate Modern currently has a really interesting, strange, ‘what’s-going-on?’ installation set up. As you wander in you become aware of the distant sounds of a storm, and moving into the space realise that it’s coming from suspended speakers. The lights flicker on and off, and a huge lamp on a track trundles along far above head height, causing weird shadows (cast by the hanging speakers and blank surfaces) to move across the walls.
My friend Emma and I are instantly drawn in, moving into the ‘eye of the storm’, which is somewhat creepy given the loud sounds to be heard, but lack of any water or danger.
Looking over the edge of the balcony, we see that there are many people lying on the floor below. We can’t help ourselves but move downstairs, and join them lying on the carpeted floor. The noises – I imagine of an Asian city – are all around, different to the storm but with the same looming quality. We lie and listen and contemplate, connecting to our emotions and reactions.
We don’t know what led others to lie down here, but we were led by them.
We enjoy being drawn in by the art, and it’s certainly playful. Everyone has been given permission to act in a different way to how they normally would. Like the best sort of play, we feel invited to join in!
Great art – or good art – is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I don’t think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different. – Damien Hirst
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