Best of The Armory 2009
Title: Soundsuits (Series)
Artists: Nick Cave
Medium: Sculpture
I know I said the Armory posts were over, but I forgot one absolute favorite: Nick Cave’s fabulous soundsuits!! The best part of seeing these was overhearing the art snobs behind me discussing the “subtleties of the work” and which one was “the most understated yet complex.” I wanted to turn around and shout, “DON’T YOU GET IT!? IT’S JUST HAPPY ARTWORK FOR DANCING IN! EITHER SMILE OR GO BE ANNOYING SOMEWHERE ELSE!!” Apparently the three on display at the fair (including the one above) were sold by Sunday. I posted a video about these a few weeks ago. They’re ridiculous, whimsical, and so so fun.
Chicago artist Nick Cave creates full body suits out of objects that make noise when they move — things like sticks, bells, and garbage bag ties. He calls these garments Sound Suits and he puts on performances in which he and all sorts of “non-artists” dance in the suits. Cave considers the Sound Suits a second layer of skin — and as an African-American man, his work often deals with themes of skin and race. (PRX)
More information on Nick Cave at Jack Shainman Gallery.
