Concept

Engagement is a way of capturing attention, a way of alluring and a way of enticing to possess ownership. We could implement this as a way of attracting an audience, being drawn into a system and in turn be captivated. Such methods can include smoke screens, masquerade and stings.

We can be engaged in political upheaval and in contrast engaged to be married. Either way if one shows the willingness to engage then they are seized, arrested and caught, through an innocent human desire to absorb and be engrossed.

What happens when this engagement is done in a malicious, unlawful and corrupted way? When does the real become hyper-real? Entrapment is the process of this transition to occupy whether through political, artistic or personal systems.

What is the ethical concern over this? Is the viewer guilty for being engrossed in a piece of work that is deemed vulgar or inappropriate; a guilty pleasure? Is the accused guilty until proven innocent? Is the artist wrongly committed for a self-indulgent expression? Does this polarity repel or assist the convicted?

International artists have been invited to submit work which explores a subversive engagement, use tactics and trickery to captivate and which contests rules and laws of a system. Aesthetically, artists works entices the audience, engages them in viewing and ultimately entrap them into the work. Will the viewer be engrossed, cheated or convicted?

Works featured include traditional art forms of photography, painting and sculpture but also the contemporary processes of interventions, installations and new media.

Flyer

Flyer

John King





UK, London

Digital images, 21x29.5 cm

€300 each framed.  As digital prints they are in editions of 50.

1 The object of desire.  An antique coffee pot has engaged many in its past.  The personalities of its previous owners have been absorbed by it,  so much so that  there is no more room in the pot for the Genie who is escaping through the spout.

2 The guitar. Initially seduced by the sensuous lines of the guitar the musician becomes entranced/obsessed by the instrument so much so that he entrapped  by it.


3 Do It Yourself  Annoyed by a dripping tap the handyman is engaged by the challenge, unfortunately is too much for him.  In his mind the pipe work becomes a tangle of knots which engulf him and his family.  Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.  And that tap is still dripping.

4. Love Potion Number Nine, in the song the hero acquires a potion to improve his chances of romance. Unfortunately,  judging from the expressions of the entrapped persons, there are likely to be unforeseen consequences.

5. Seeking Approval from others the subject subsumes the characteristics of those he seeks to impress. Unfortunately, he becomes a prisoner of what he thinks others want him to be.  Alas they are not interested in such a mixed up person.

6 The Egg, in itself an engaging object, so perfect and full of potential, but potential for what? Judging from the ones within mischief seems likely. The occupants seem to entrapped in a glass bubble, of their own desires/lust.