Open Studio (Cortex Athletico)
Mixed Media Installation
2007

For an exhibition at Galerie Cortex Athletico in Bordeaux, France, I made a fictional studio within the gallery space. The installation was set up inside a white cube, built within the exhibition area. The artist who inhabited the studio is an imaginary character who has a great deal in common with myself, including the same name and appearance. The space was made to look as if pieces from my portfolio, as well as completely fictional projects, were made there.

There are many texts concerning the studio artist’s work within the space. Alongside published newspaper and magazine articles and press releases, are pieces of writing that are complete works of fiction. The best example of these is a novel entitled: It’s Not the Bullet that Kills You It’s the Hole. The plot of the book follows the murder of several prominent artists and curators who were involved in the African Pavillion at the 52nd Venice Biennale, including the inhabitant of the studio. The book appears to be a well-thumbed, trashy, murder mystery that is a bit the worse for wear. In reality, the exhibition copy is unique and hand-made. It provides a fragmented reading experience as only certain sections are able to be read. This is due to the fact that some pages have been stuck together (giving it the appearance of having had something spilt on it).