MEOW MIXED

This is a collection of symbolic images made of cardboard paint and string.
created peice by peice and strung together, the collection suggests harmony, even narrative.
however, any cohesion begs argument as one peice appears abstract, while the next, a literal prop.
(a narrative does exsist.) is the collection validated by the medium? by the shapes that reaccur; creating sense, at times nonsense?
can a symbol have value in one peice and none in the peice beside it? the narrative is not the color turquoise.
the narrative itself is symbolic and impossible in that only through language and it’s relation to symbols can we decifer the real (world, cardboard artwork, etc.)

These peices, made specifically for le mange disque, are an experiment in the viewer’s (and the artist’s) ’suspension of disbelief.’

“Suspension of disbelief is an aesthetic theory intended to characterize people’s relationships to art. It refers to the alleged willingness of a reader or viewer to accept as true the premises of a work of fiction, even if they are fantastic, impossible, or contradictory. It also refers to the willingness of the audience to overlook the limitations of a medium, so that these do not interfere with the acceptance of those premises. According to the theory, suspension of disbelief is a quid pro quo: the audience tacitly agrees to provisionally suspend their judgment in exchange for the promise of entertainment.
Further, inconsistencies or plot holes that violate the initial premisees, established canon, continuity, or common sense, are often viewed as breaking this agreement. For particularly loyal fans, these dealbreakers are usually accompanied by a sense of betrayal. However, the extent to which the suspension can be called compromised is often dependent on the beholder. A physicist, for example, may be more likely to question a fantastical breach of known physics, while an architect’s suspension of disbelief may be damaged by being introduced to a building of unrealistic proportions. Similarly, ‘common sense’ is a relative term, and so the same piece of fiction may stand up or not, depending on the particular audience.”

Suspension of disbelief ties back into my thinking around symbolism in that only through this momentary acceptance of plot in exhange for reward can the audience meet again on the same plane, identifying signs and signifiers. there is failure in the execution of this though, all over. but, it’s all in good fun anyway. the materials are simple, the style of painting and combination, elementary. the ideas are what is exciting to me, but i am not positive they have come across. charged symbols, the cardboard eyes viewing charged symbols, which mirror the viewer who actually does, infact, view the symbols. the attempt to make sense of different peices as having a relation to each other. (i can’t clearly do it.)
so what’s my point? why did i do it?
well there’s a clear thread of thought about eyes and the idea of seeing. seeing conciously, unconciously, psychically, clearly, hazily.
there are bits of blue going back and forth across the room. zig zagging from one peice to another insisting the peices are all inclusive.
in a way they are.
they all came from me for a specific purpose, to put together and show to you. i made the triangle, and the jaimaican house that’s getting rained on. there’s a play set with a big circle in the middle. a dude with a flat top and a gold chain, and big blue bow. each peice was tied together in the same way with the same care and intension. the consistencies and inconsistencies appear to weigh in about even. i hope you enjoy these items i made together in one spot, for viewing pleasure! (p.s. there is also a hatchet!)

-leslie kulesh 2007