28 August 2013

Erik Sæter Jørgensen: All Watched Over

All Watched Over
Erik Sæter Jørgensen
10.8.-7.9.13
Reed Projects Gallery, Stavanger
Photo documentation/installation

What do you want to see on the public walls in your hometown? Commercial posters, NGO slogans, graffiti or just blank walls? Erik Sæter Jørgensen presents some of the options. Usually the choice is not made by you, it is something you just need to accept, but in this exhibition the artist is the curator of the walls.







Erik Sæter Jørgensen: All Watched Over

We get the giant shining letters of a candy shop, numerous walls decorated by the local graffiti writers Rebel and Mask, a giant banner promoting vegan lifestyle, ads for a pornmovie shop, some random blank wall, and a silver buff (silver is the most effective color to cover what is underneath, well known by both graffiti writers and the companies painting over it (buffing the tags)).

Erik Sæter Jørgensen: Stay True

It is obvious what is Erik Sæter Jørgensen’s choice. He has apparently spent most time making the giant banner promoting veganism and straight edge lifestyle. And the number of photos documenting walls improved by Rebel and Mask truly dominate these gallery walls.

Erik Sæter Jørgensen: Am Kurfürstenstrasse + Videogigant + Domination One 

Also I would prefer colorful walls made by local artists over ugly commercials by dubious companies. But then again, what would I prefer between a badly made tag and some smart commercials for a product I like? It really does not matter, I am not the one to choose what will be on the walls. But I am able to appreciate what I like and pretending to ignore what I do not like.