Melanie Smith, MACBA

Some thoughts / notes

Coloured light - bathed rooms in a glowing mood. 

Loved the title 129 Thoughts on Insubstantial Subjects and Matter as if works are in progress and can be physical thinkings - can relate to how I make and also pushes back against the idea that works in places like the MACBA are finished, done and raised onto a pedestal, they are still part of a continuum. 

Liked this work in terms of installation and subject. Found photos which inspired the work projected on the wall at the back of what feels like the 'main installation' - viewer nudges into the corner behind the work to see them - honesty in that all parts of the piece are exposed - the inspiration and the workings of the installation. Paintings, lights, mirrors and a film of a performance in another show - recycled, self referential but in a whole world/idea/work creation way.

Gorgeous and beauttifuly made small paintings hang throughout the show - referencing history or architecture - seems to anchor the show, punctuating the photos and installations with works where you can see/believe more easily the time spent making them - building up and paring down layers. 

Great installation of film throughout - each in a different way and with seating that reflected the work. I and a friend have been talking about art-film-seating - when films are so long why an uncomfortable wooden bench? and only space for four people- esp if in a dark room. Memory of watching Derek Jarman's Blue at the serpentine, bathed in blue light and on bean bags we sat for ages and absorbed - same as with Pipilotti Rist at Houser and Wirth (sheep skin rugs?) Here with Smith, the whole space, including the seating, is thought of and references the content of the film.

Loved this room, thinking on painting. There were a series of smaller paintings on the wall adjacent to the big painting, of scenes from Hieronymus Bosch's painting The Garden of Earthly Delights. The huge painting includes the same drawings/copyings, but configured together. Carpet with a giant ear on the floor in front and the studio light pushing a pink circle on the wall, tinting the room. 

Still that honesty, everything well considered but visible as objects / installations / sculptures. 

Group of women taking photos for each other. Each woman would give their phone to a friend and go and pose in the light - sharing a scarf as prop. Their own phones, not keeping cool pics of their friends. Others acting as onlookers or waiting their turn. Overt. Instagram? Intrusive, invading the work for something unrelated -backdrop, or just using and looking at the work another way, not so precious.