ET AL. (2016) FOR THE COMMON GOOD DOS (2), Feria De Madrid, 35th ARCO International Contemporary Art Fair, Madrid.

Abstract

Comprising formalised temporary areas, the installation explores issues of the creation and disposition of refugees, aspects of refugee ‘management’ and temporary living spaces, and the impact of refugees on established populations. Preparation and realization of the et al. installation ARCO International Art Fair, that developed out of a et al. solo site-specific installation West den Haag, February 2015. Most of the development of ideas were realised in the US and envisaged as apart collaborative project with Blaine Western who undertook the metal fabrication of components of the et al. installation. US research established and developed in preparation for the ARCO, Madrid installation covered the following areas; i. 'SHELTERS; Disused prisons in the Netherlands currently being employed as provisional housing for refugees/asylum seekers - Maastricht - 'overmaze' / Amsterdam. Neither complex can meet the most basic standards of 'shelter' they were both employed under the justification of emergency circumstances. Moral implications of using penal architecture as a form of emergency housing potential muteness or ambiguity of these images or plans - that would also suggest the mutability of such architecture when it is repurposed on the grounds of 'emergency housing' - I like the thought that the hand/s of ET AL. would intervene in the images and plans - a lá the Camp of faith - one thing is to consider is how these images function with the American News images, Contradictory generosity or conditional hospitality ii. SERIALITY – ART FAIR Seriality and grid that occurs in art-fair architecture and the housing of refugees - grids of bedding. Reflect or exaggerate such a division of space and organisation of objects in the booth installation itself. Common Good signaled at Arco through a number of concepts – refugees and temporary housing vs. refusal to accommodate refugees (barriers being erected on border zones etc.) and to still have in the mix the idea of 3 shopping trolleys/containers of some sort (bins) of donated toys or tinned food.