Interpretation the Key at
In a climate of ephemeral conceptual artistic notions Swiss curator Hans Ulrich conceived do it. Compiling a manual of do-it-yourself sets of instructions from internationaly renowned artists, Ulich invited participating artists to interpret and carry out the instructions. The instructions range in complexity from very simple ("Smile at a Stranger") to very complex ("Find a four leaf clover"), and have been carried out and exhibited in cities throughout the world. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Gallery Director, Cortney Lane Stell, is the latest to bring to life Ulrich's manual. Stell brought her own unique approach to the do it concept that has yielded rewarding results. Seeking to create an interplay between regional and international, Stell selected primarily regional artists. Stell also broke from tradition by allowing each artist to choose their own set of instructions rather than assigning them. In a fortuitous turn, several pairs of artists chose the same set of instructions, allowing the concept of interpretation to really come to light. Given the instructions from Maria Eichhorn to "Cast a ring in Silver...lose it in the street" Created two very different results. Collin Wards interpretation of ring was a ring of humanoid maquettes assembled then dissassembled in the streets. The process was captured and presented on video. Yumi Roth, meanwhile, litterally mailed her interpretation in. Roth presented a notarized letter verifying that she followed the instructions. Similar diverse interpretations occured with Bill Admunson and Tesehai Johnson,s interpretations of Febrice Hybarts instructions "At home, do everything you're not supposed to" Stell's do it must be considered a success in that it truely brings conceptual questions suca as "Where does the true art exist" to the forefront. Do it as a concept is also anti-consumerist in nature. The art from any do it shows, therefore, is destroyed after the show, never to exist again. Those interested in seeing the concepts on full display would be wise to make it to Phillip J. Steele Gallery. Do it.
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