New exhibit to be “seen” through a blindfold
[originally posted 4/1/2010]
The latest work of renowned artist Otis Hegaln of Iysthulgistan opens today at New York’s prestigious MoCoCo Museum. Determined to trump Tino Sehgal, who has prohibited photos of his works and banned documentation of any kind of his exhibits, Hegaln will require all viewers of his new show to be blindfolded.
“For Mr. Hegaln, it’s about the allowing the audience to experience the installation at in its purest form, without the intrusion of distracting visuals,” explained MoCoCo Chief Curator N. O. Seaman. “The artist believes that if people view the exhibit, they will impose a layer upon it, a lens created by all the visual experiences of their lives. By blindfolding the viewer, the artist’s vision will be not manipulated by the viewers’ personal, physical vision.”
Despite the museum's attempts to keep the installation "unseen", photos taken on mobile devices are finding their way onto the internet.
Despite intense security, images from the exhibit are working their way onto the internet, as have Sehgal’s. However the artist has not commented on this, apparently remaining true to their stated ideal of allowing no one to look at, or speak of, the unseen artwork.
One “viewer”, after experiencing the installation while blindfolded, commented, “Well, it certainly leaves you guessing.”
Photo on Internet described anonymously as "the best I could do, considering I was blindfolded."
[Chicago Art Magazine wishes everyone a safe and healthy April Fool's Day]
