In pursuit of a state of uncertainty
When I was about ten or eleven, I remember flicking through a department store catalogue, where I came across a picture of a giant kite. It shimmered and danced—it was perfect. For my birthday that year I was given the kite in bright green. On the first breezy day, I headed out to a small park near my house, kite in hand, with visions of flying. I carefully set the kite down and walked about twenty or so metres ahead with the ball of string. I started running as fast as could, with both arms in the air. The kite caught the wind and hovered for a few moments before collapsing and nose-diving to the grass almost immediately. My second and third attempt were pretty much the same. Suddenly the wind picked up. I ran. This time the kite sailed higher and higher. It surfed the wind and twirled gracefully.
In pursuit of a state of uncertainty is a new installation by Barbara Knezevic recently shown at Pallas Contemporary Projects. The work demonstrates the tensions and relationships between objects and physical forces of gravity, mass, air and magnetism. Objects such as weather balloons, stone, and rope are used as tools for research and understanding. Over time, these objects may fail, break or lose the ability to stay afloat, underlying the temporal nature of things. Moreover, the exhibition is an exploration of the human condition. These objects describe the self—the volatile, unpredictable self that is, itself, temporary and deflationary over time.
The gallery space is long and thin; it lends itself well to Knezevic’s installation. At the front of the gallery are two stands that secure a thin black pole. Neon