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| Piece by Piece, detail |
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| Piece by Piece, detail with Meissen originals displayed on pedestals. |
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| Columbine. Porcelain. Meissen. Germany. Mid 1700's |
The Transformation of Kitsch.
Two thousand white porcelain figurines glimmer in the darkened special exhibitions gallery at the Gardiner Museum. A single spotlight highlights the contours of this ankle-high, silent horde casting dramatic shadows. The beam illuminates a black-clad individual working with molds and slip on a table at the far end of the space, cavernous in relation to these clay replicas of three eighteenth century Commedia del Arte figures from the Gardiner's permanent collection.
The Meissen originals of Columbine, Harlequin and
are displayed on illuminated pedestals opposite the production table. By the end of the exhibition there will be three thousand reproductions installed in the gallery. My painter friend, Kim, said it reminded her of a movie set for an historical drama. I thought of the dioramas of colonial life which I'd recently seen at the Rijksmuseum, and thought of busy ports, and markets. Others said it looked like a party at Versailles.
Whatever memories and experiences you bring to this large installation, its effect is startling. The juxtaposition of the originals and the reproductions question the nature of art, manufacture, labour and "the role of the Museum in authenticating and commodifying art" to quote Brigit, the gallery docent. Ghostly,enchanting, this is a work that makes you think.
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| Brigit, Gardiner Museum Gallerist. |
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