Dong Ding the Ensemble could Ring

Maneuver through the chiming bamboo curtain and arrive in a gallery turned into a musical playground. In ICA’s massive lower level is a collective array of art works from various artists both from the past and contemporary. The art works are composed of many diverse mediums such as chimes, broken pottery, clothes, wood panels, string, statues and trash. Although different in physicality, the works conceptual intention is sound. Curiosity and obscurity is the overall impression of the unique and diverse works but only a few rise above their physical and auditory limitations to become something more.
The curator Christian Marclay’s intention for Ensemble was to bring together a collaboration of diverse sculpture and installation art works from a vast array of artists that engaged the element of sound. By doing this there would be a contrast of visual elements but more importantly different acoustical components that would take up the massive lower level space of the ICA. Like an orchestra these works all play their own part in creating a musical environment that engages people to physically interact with the work and also witness it. From the loud motion detected bell to the hand held bell, these works put the viewer in an unfamiliar place of play and involvement. The regular art audience that would see a show is now seeing and hearing it. The Ensemble experience is not a conventional one, so it can’t be experience conventionally.
Apart from hearing footsteps in this large gallery space there are the random bangs and clangs from the motion detected works to the noises of people playing with other installations. As the surroundings become familiar, the contrasting qualities of the works become more apparent. Some are subtle and demand a delicate ear while others are startling with abrupt rude hammering. Overall only a few stand out among the acoustic ciaos and ascend to another place.
The delicate work of Celeste Bousier-Mougenot “Untitled series #3” seems to be in a world of its own, which is an achievement being among all the noise. In a serene blue blow up pool floats delicate china. There are bowls, glasses, and dishes engaging in a slow circulating waltz in the safe boundaries of the pool. The calm Ti-chi movement of the dishware is engrossing. Upon closer evaluation there can be heard slight tapping and tinkering of the glasses against the china. Much like when Alice was listening to the mad hatters tea party, the viewer can close their eyes and imagine ease dropping on a dinner party. The viewer can feel as if they are listening to a secrete event that they were lucky enough to have paid attention to.
To the right of the gallery against the wall is another work that seems to rise above the rest. This work by David Ellis “Untitled” is not obviously incorporating the aspect of sound. It is in essence a heap of trash shoved against the wall of the gallery. Upon closer inspection there can be heard the swishing of the trash bags, the tinkering of cans opening and closing and things banging in the large aluminum trashcan. The element of imagination is again coming into play in this work as it is in the work by Boursier-Mougenot. This work takes the viewer to another place outside of the works visual and auditory limitations. It is not just a device of random auditory occurrences but an artwork that sparks curiosity and wonder as to the source of its sound.
Reflecting on contemporary concerns on the classification of art, the show Ensemble stretches the definition of what an “art show” can be by utilizing under stimulated senses. This show embraces the unfamiliar and helps expand on the possibilities of sculpture, installation, and new ways of show casing art. The audience delves into strange territory that moves them to embrace the Ensemble show by using not only the sense of sight but also sound. This places the audience in a fresh frame of mind that opens them up to a new art experience. So is this an art show, or just an exhibit of fun creative devises? Who is to say? To experience a show such as this is a very refreshing one. Ensemble is a playful, engaging, obscure and curious show that should be encouraged for people of all tastes to visit and investigate.