Video - mesmeric, each scene change with hand claps/finger clicks. Uses photographs, news reel, computer graphics, fragments of repeated printed word.
Starts with an examination of the architecture of the choir area of a Gothic church, shapes of carvings - trefoils,twists in a tomb effigy merge into the twisting bodies of 1960's dancers, their waving arms merge into the flames of the Woolworths furniture shop in 1979. Accompanied by hand claps makes the piece powerful, sombre and hypnotic. The disparate elements become whole.
Evoked comparison with the architecture of the church with the furniture shop, shopping as the new form of worship. Phrases repeated like a chorus. The fire victims are visibly traumatised. Ten people died and it led to changes in fire legislation.
Elizabeth Price talked about the politics of art funding in her acceptance speech. The removal of funding at school level and university for art subjects. Art could become more elitist. See link below for Guardian interview.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/dec/04/turner-prize-elizabeth-price-arts
Other shortlisted artists:
- Paul Noble - graphite, massive architectural drawings with lots of turds, reminded of Richard Dadd - sane?.
- Luke Fowler RD Laing film All Divided Selves - Old stuff really, having been into the Anti-psychiatry movement of the 1970/80s.
- Spartacus Chetwynd - anarchic performances and puppet show. Satire on politics?
