Danish artist Jeppe Hein creates interactive sculptures and installations infused with elements of surprise and playfulness. When approaching his current exhibit at 303 Gallery visitors notice a telescopic lens poking out of the gallery's exterior wall. The title of the work, Upside Down, says it all—when peeking into the lens the view reflected is the interior of the gallery flipped over in reverse. Inside the gallery on the back wall, another work, You, also features a peep-hole tempting visitors with a look-see. Instead of spying something juicy or provocative when peering through the hole in the wall, viewers see a reflection of their own eyeball staring back at them. Haw-haw! Hein's two works play "gotcha" tricks on your curiosity and vision and surprisingly don't leave a practical joke-style, dark ring around your eye after leaning in on the peep-holes.
Light Pavilion, the centerpiece of the exhibit, features eight long strings of lights hanging in a bunch from the center of the gallery's ceiling. Slowing the lights begin to open up wide like an umbrella, and then slowly close in tight again. Visitors can walk under the light work when it's open and around it when closed. Venturing to the rear of the gallery where the desk is you'll discover a gallery employee pedaling away on a stationary bicycle, activating "the kinetic energy which animates the light itself," (from the press release). What an ingenius way to stay fit while at work!
Hein's clever, inclusive artwork "breaks down the wall between creator and spectator, and the artistic process itself is sidestepped in favor of collective experience." The Berlin-based artist's works offer interactive, lighthearted, and unexpected experiences. Learn more at 303gallery.com and at the artist's website Jeppehein.net. Through March 5th.
Light Pavilion II, 2009
Light Pavilion II, 2009
Light Pavilion II, 2009
Light Pavilion II, 2009
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