‘Bought Air’

Projects, 2010

The use of carved plastic laminated MDF, a large marbled stack of paper and turquoise powder coated steel tubes continues the play with material authenticity. The work (developed after a research trip to Palestine) establishes the highly stylized nature of a series of architecture-like features as an area of investigation. Reminiscent of 1930’s swimming pools, this installation develops a playful environment reminiscent of a water park in which visitors are invited to sit and explore an archive of literature on Palestinian history, culture and the Israel-Palestine conflict.The sculptural objects also highlight the social importance of water within the occupied Palestinian territories and question the role of leisure activities within an area often defined by conflict.

‘I was interested in referencing the Art Deco movement as a means to explore how past colonialist exoticfication of Middle Eastern motifs helped to perpetuate the notion of modernism as a cultural hierarchy’.

In spring 2010 James made a research trip to Palestine and produced this artwork during residence at the Danish Art Workshops in Copenhagen.

• Exhibition: Between Here & Somewhere Else
• Tags: MDF, Paint, Plastic laminated MDF, Steel

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