The Performance Anxiety of Michael Fried – Commonwealth Gallery, Madison WI

“The Performance Anxiety of Michael Fried” was an exhibition of relational works. The work is an exploration of Michael Fried’s famous essay “Art and Objecthood” where he decries the loss of works of absorption in favor of theatricality. Using symbols from stage blocking and screenplays these objects ask the viewer to become the absorbed subject of a tableau vivant- a theme found in visual art since the Renaissance.

“A wild cadmium zip that lead to your feet”
Wood, acrylic mirror, and spike tape.

“Look into the eyes of the only master you will ever know”
Wood, acrylic mirror, and spike tape.

“All of a sudden her horizontal body began to float off of the floor”
Acrylic paint, canvas, MDF, acrylic mirror, neon light, coloured acrylic, imitation wood flooring and spike tape.

“He was so absorbed in the object that he could no longer se the line between reality and fiction”
Wood, acrylic mirror, and spike tape.

“She peeked through the slit in the wall” (Detail)
Wood and acrylic mirror.

“Look into the eyes of the only master you will ever know”
Wood, acrylic mirror, and spike tape.

“He paused for five seconds to understand what had just happened”
Silver patent leather, wood, imitation wood flooring, paint, and neon lights.

“He paused for a moment and looked out the window and into the night”
Coloured acrylic and wood.

“She paused for few moments of private reflection”
Wood and acrylic mirror.

“He was so absorbed in the object that he could no longer se the line between reality and fiction”
Wood, acrylic mirror, and spike tape.

“Peripheral”
Acrylic paint on rainbow fabric

“They rose to start upon a great endeavour”
Wood, imitation wood flooring, acrylic mirror, and spike tape