Monday, April 2, 2012

Leor Grady alongside The Bumbys




P3 Studio at The Cosmopolitan "is committed to building a platform for art and culture as an integral part of the guest experience" and it was certainly a hub for conceptual art when we visited, with two projects running side-by-side.
Israeli-born artist Leor Grady, now based in New York, created "Untitled (Bedroom)" - an installation incorporating items integral to the hotel environment. Visitors were invited to give a one-word summary of the work which was then machine-embroidered onto a souvenir handkerchief and will eventually be incorporated into a follow-up text-based installation.
Next door were performance artists Gill and Jill Bumby, also incorporating text in their work by offering typewritten appraisals of visitors' appearances. Hiding their own identities, they make use of wit and charm to describe each visitor. Gill began my appraisal with: "You look like you're the travel or the lifestyle editor for The New York Times and you carry the responsibility very tactfully.... " Well, maybe one day...
Photo of me being 'Bumbied' courtesy Matthew Couper.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like Leor Grady's idea of stacking soft duvet covers to create a wall. Too much of a good thing is threatening. I hear there are people with a phobia of clusters.

Jo Russ said...

True, our individual experiences color our interpretations. From the responses, it seemed some people thought of a battleground, and to others it suggested peace and tranquility...

Anonymous said...

What do you have written on your souvenir handkerchief? That looks like so much fun! Is that still going on at the Cosmopolitan? Did you get to keep your typewritten appraisal of your appearance? I want to see it!

Jo Russ said...

My handkerchief says 'Perfection' - because I never achieve it but hotel 'room stylists' do, transforming rumpled beds to pristine and crinkle-free! Both projects are sadly now over, not sure what is next. You are welcome to see my full Bumby appraisal tho...