exhibitions

ARLO MOUNTFORD

MUSEUM DIVIDES AND CONFUSED ENCOUNTERS

Studio 12 Exhibition

This exhibition saw Arlo Moutford manipulate Gertrude Contemporary Studio 12's “neutral” space, by creating a series of dividing structures in the gallery, provoking the viewer/participant to physically investigate the space. The divides themselves mimicked the “white cube” aesthetic of the gallery and followed function rather than form. But they also acted as metaphorical representations of the social and cultural divisions which are imposed by historical systems. This aspect of the work was further expanded in a series of animations, which showed two generic characters as they interacted with the dividing objects. The purpose of their actions appears unclear to them, yet they are compelled to act out, embodying arbitrary historical events which referenced the history of the “void”. Museum Divides and Confused Encounters continued Arlo Mountford’s ongoing investigation into Art History and its relevance to contemporary art practice, sardonically and playfully scrutinising this relationship with Mountford’s characteristic wit and humor.

Arlo Mountford completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (Sculpture) at the Victorian College of the Arts in 2002. Recent solo exhibitions include Proposition (Meets the Unfathomable – Bergwerk 5), Bus Gallery, Melbourne 2004; Arbitrary Interrupt, Bus Gallery, Melbourne 2003; and Ramp for s/elective viewing, Studio 12, Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces, Melbourne 2003. Selected group exhibitions include VideoLoveHateVideo, Phatspace, Sydney 2004; Scratch, Kings Gallery, Melbourne and Blank Gallery, Sydney 2004; Unsigned, Niagara Galleries, Melbourne 2003; and Site, Conical Gallery, Melbourne 2002. Arlo was awarded the 2002 ‘ANZ Award’ as a result of his participation in the VCA’s Proud exhibition, and he was a guest speaker at ‘Sampled Sources’, a forum as part of the 2004 Next Wave Festival’s Critical Culture series.