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Collapse Version V

11 December 2010 – 13 February 2011

Number of pieces in exhibition: 25

With Charlotte Cullinan

This solo exhibition was commissioned by Dispari&Dispari project as part of its programme of collaboration with selected international artists engaging with re-configuring the aesthetics of contemporary exhibition practices. Curated by the Director Andrea Sassi in collaboration with Cullinan Richards, the exhibition consisted of 25 works produced from 2008 -2010, including 10 sculptural pieces made in London; materials and found objects re-configured in the Italian gallery space; 12 large oil and house paint works on plastic, and one large plastic and paint floor mounted work.

Underpinning Collapse V was Cullinan Richards’ research investigation into the possibilities of expanded painting as performance, and the staging or ‘choreography of an exhibition.’ The research objective was specifically to challenge the concept of the exhibition as a display of precious artefacts and to foreground contingent and provisional approaches through the theatrical concept of 'staging'. A temporary supporting structure or 'stadium' sculpture created a theatrical scenario that positioned the audience at the beginning of the exhibition as a participant or viewer of a staged, temporary exhibition. Large transparent plastic paintings acted as screens within the space, artworks were displayed as part of a stage set or props, and layers of plastic hanging paintings were positioned as if waiting off stage. The use of temporary stage lights; rolls of tape and glassine paper – remnants of production - were displayed as part of this process of exhibition making. Through these strategies of subversion the focus was on the theatrical gesture of painting and the bringing together of concept, structure and use of materials to reconfigure space, collapse boundaries and affect audience expectation and experience.

Following Collapse V, Cullinan Richards were invited by Dispari&Dispari to co-curate ‘Stag’ Berlin / London (Staging Painting) with Berlin-based artist Katrin Plavcak which featured 30 international artists, 5 October - 5 December 2013.

http://www.dispariedispari.org/dispariedispari/project_page/stag.htm