In Don't Touch pure white and fragility of the material are supposed to generate automatic
haptic responses. Paradoxically, the friable material of the object encourages one
to reach out a hand towards it. However, satisfaction of the need to touch changes the
work. Every touch gradually distorts the letters and eventually wipes out the message.
Such a situation may trigger a sense of guilt for destroying an artwork, especially that
it is taking place in a gallery where - as per applicable standards of conduct - nothing
should be touched, yet on the symbolic plane, such gesture is a victory of spontaneity,
corporealness, sensuality over intellect, law and convention.
The neon in Don't Look
engages human stare with even more appeal. It is even more difficult to conform to
this prohibition if one takes into account its historic function. Neon lighting is a form of
outdoor advertising, and thus the ban to look has been expressed in a medium that is
associated with consumer craving. The neon demands an onlooker's attention only to
contradict it, thus becoming a consumption of the ban on consumption.
|
