Tension: web

Sarajevo Depot Kafe was curated by Jusuf Hadzifejzovich in a 'depot' style (related to his own artistic practice) a collection of works and objet that acts as a social map as well as an ecclectic accumulation. He invited me to participate after seeing my Sarajevo Document work at Novi Hram and a long philosphical discussion involving Vodka Lemon. The show opened first at International Peace Center Gallery with only my work in it, over the next two weeks it filled up with works and was also a meeting place for artists. After the first two weeks the show was relocated to Musee Attentat where more works were added by Jusuf every day. (trivia: Musee Attentat is the building where Franz Ferdinand was assasinated, beginning WWI). Over forty artists particpated in depot Cafe including New York based artist Marina Abramovic. Jusuf Hadzefezovich represented Bosnia i Herzegovina at the 2003 Venice Biennalle with another of his depot works.

The work I made for the Depot Kafe, Tension: web was unplanned before hand, with a single day to make and install, no workshop and almost no money...(but how could I say no to an invitation like that? I may never have another opportunity to exhibit with Marina Abramovic!) Fresh from the experience of making the document I wanted to do something that expressed the paradox and kinetic tension of the situation, which was for me a kind of sensual delerium combined with nervous anxiety flaring into actual fear at least once a day. Fear is seldom reasonable, I had no real cause, just undirected tension...thats what this work is about.

I used off the shelf materials, bicycle inner tubes and standard hose clips and constructed the work in a coffee shop over a couple of hours and several trays of heady turkish style coffee, purchased so I wouldnt be kicked out.

Before I could install the thing I had to find somewhere to get the tubes inflated, which involved several more hours on foot in heavy snow and gathering dark with my odd web of tyres and sign language...Im sure that most people thought I was trying to sell them the tubes, or perhaps my body, or that I was begging, mostly I was shooed away before I could explain what I needed...but eventually with the help of my good friend Mr Park, Byoung-Uk I suceeded and had an hilarious hour inflating the web with the bemused mechanics...even more funny walking back to the gallery with the inflated web draped over Park's shoulders, more unintentional performance.

I was startled by how apt the finished work was considering how little time for reflection I had, it was also well received by the artists and festival which was pleasing. Jusuf reinstalled the work for me a second time at the Musee Attentat venue (as I wasnt there by then) and called it a collaboration..adding his own touch to the work in the form of a suggestively inserted bottle. Sarajevo is well f**ked, excuse my crassness.

Many thanks to Creative New Zealand who paid my airfare to Europe.