Megan Hoyle - Installation Under Sink - Canvas, Lukas IV Oil Medium
'Installation Under Sink' is from a series of works predominantly investigating the drying behaviour of oil medium. Canvas strands in various configurations are poured with medium, after repeated pouring the medium begins to lengthen the canvas threads in the way stalactites are formed, by building up beyond the thread. With works such as 'Installation Under Sink' I am playing with the formation of the strands. Could the ‘painting’ have formed through the day to day use of the sink? Is it in flux and still dripping? I want the viewer to become drawn forward to see what is happening, provoking a sense of discovery in how the work has formed.
The intriguing fact about this piece is it is almost invisible and goes completely unnoticed. Those using or walking past the sink certainly aren’t looking for a work underneath it. The understated colour and thickness of the work means it is not easily seen, even by those looking for it.
'Installation Under Sink' is both a failure and a success. The work has many of the elements I wanted in it, if only it was noticed. It is in plain view; under a well used sink in a corridor but is never seen. On the one hand I find this idea very exciting, it is a secret work, only seen by those who know it is there. On the other hand, if a tree falls in the woods.... if an artwork is not seen is it a work? I’m not sure it is. 'Installation Under Sink' was made to be noticed, it was placed in that location for a viewer to question its formation. This questioning is not happening therefore the work cannot be complete. It has failed.
Megan's Blog
If it's predominantly investigating the drying behaviour of oil medium isn't that just between you, the oil and the thread (and possibly the sink)? Assuming the flat ontology of speculative realism would allow the oil and thread installation the same ontological status as you, me or anything else so perhaps no audience is needed to complete the work. However now that you have drawn my attention to it (I can't see it in the photo but will imagine it anyway as virtual work of art) it has not gone unnoticed and has therefore fulfilled its purpose as art and become complete. Of course this requires a the work of imagination on my part but there you go, job done!
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