5455, avenue De Gaspe
+1 514.288.4972
January 20 - February 26, 2011
I feel like a total pain-in-the-ass since I arrived at the gallery fifteen minutes after opening, and admin is still setting up. I ask the admin, Corinne, if it's okay to come in? 'Yes, we're open', she tells me as she hits a button an an old cassette player, and Nat King Cole's Smile begins to play from the speakers. Nice.
Once again I am a 'lone wolf' in the gallery... not a sole in sight, but I can tell straight away that a lot has been going on at Centre Clark. Dean Baldwin's installation Bunk Bed City looks exactly like what it is supposed to represent: the kitchen and dorm rooms of a summer camp. It looks as if someone has been living in the installation, and Corinne tells me it's because Mr. Baldwin invites people to join in social gatherings in the gallery. I take a closer look at the gas cooker and I can see spots of oily residue from last Thursday's dinner. (Which was titled 'Hopeless Romantics Society: A Heart Surgery, A Ceremony, A Meal').
 |
| Installation view of Bunk Bed City by Dean Baldwin at Centre Clark. Photo by Dean Baldwin |
At the entry to the space is a large circular sign inscribed with the installation's name Bunk Bed City. Behind this big satellite dish-like plaque, hides Mr. Baldwin's creation. How should one tackle this installation, I wonder? I'll be boring, I think, I will go clock-wise.
The first section I encounter is the side of the kitchen, and I peer into a space reminiscent of my childhood. This place reminds me of holiday beach houses I used to go to as a kid - each time a group would stay at the house they would leave items behind. Over time, the collection of 'forgotten and unwanted things' would accumulate to a point where there is almost no space left for anything new. But no one as the heart to throw any of these things out - it's just a summer holiday house after all...
This feeling is exactly what Mr. Baldwin aims to evoke with his art work; this one in particular being reminiscent of a summer camp. The installation, made from recycled materials and found objects, has a yucky but cozy feel at the same time. The lack of windows means very little natural light enters from the front foyer of Centre Clark, and the low halogen lighting adds to this closed in and cozy atmosphere.
 |
| Installation view of Bunk Bed City by Dean Baldwin at Centre Clark. Photo by Jessica Surendorff |
Visitors to the Bunk Bed City could loose hours snooping around the space; and I feel a kind of voyeuristic enjoyment from taking in all the little bits and pieces in the installation. Hanging plants with withering leaves; a Royal Doulton tea-cup on top of a little wall-nut dispensing machine; a pair of blue striped Adidas shoes under a bed... I then take a closer look at the cassette tape collection that's between the coffee urn and the fridge. Along with the Nat King Cole that is playing there is a mish-mash (especially from 80s and 90s), of Simply Red, Stevie Wonder, Counting Crows, The Eurythmics, etc. To top it off there is a compilation of the Star Wars Trilogy soundtracks.
Along the 'roof' in the kitchen is a string of lights, made from globes inside little teacups, which throws some light onto this rather dim space. Even though this installation is cluttered, the colour palette gives it uniformity. Subdued tones of mustard yellow, lime green, burnt out orange are interspersed with punches of red, like the ancient Cola-Cola drinks fridge.
The textural element of the installation is created with the use of steel and plastic kitchenware, glass jars and bottles, and the various off-cuts of wood Mr. Baldwin has used in the building materials. The textures and colour-theme is continued throughout the rest of the space, into the bunk beds surrounding the kitchen. As I am taking note of the construction, I look up and see two pastries have been nailed to the ceiling.
 |
| Installation view of Bunk Bed City by Dean Baldwin at Centre Clark. Photo by Jessica Surendorff |
On the kitchen counter, naturally, is an assortment of food; picked out to match the colour-palette. Tomatoes, courgettes, ginger, oranges and pineapples. I wonder how long the food has been here for, but things are looking pretty good. No mold in sight. But - that would be an interesting aspect for the theme of this installation. Many a time I have been to a camp and have been pleased with a discovery; "Wow, somebody forgot their Frisbee and cricket set!", and other times no-so-pleased, "Hmmm, somebody left an apple in the bottom drawer for who-knows how long". Next to the assorted fruits and vegetables; is a bowl of shiitake mushrooms marinating in red wine and herbs. I'm guessing it's been sitting here for two days, so the wine is at least still wine and hasn't become vinegar. (I later find out that rotting food is something that Mr. Baldwin likes to explore in his work, with one of his photography studies being Food I Left In The Fridge Too Long). It's time for me to leave the kitchen and explore the rest of the space.
 |
| Food I Left In The Fridge Too Long by Dean Baldwin courtesy Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects |
Around the edge of the gallery Mr. Baldwin has set up the actual bunk bed aspect of Bunk Bed City. Something about this section seems static and airless, but perhaps this just in contrast to the kitchen, which has such obvious signs of recent activity. But for all I know, people may have been crashing on these bunks after a few drinks at one of the evening events. (Although, resting on the hard base bunks don't look too comfy..) Never the less, Mr. Baldwin achieves what he set out to do and that is evoke feelings and memories of the dorms at a summer camp. A game of Twister, some puzzles and a set of skis are stacked and crammed together above one of the beds; an old worn leather suitcase sits on top of another. I notice there has been a subtle change in colour, with a move towards more cool tones of green and blue. The base of each bed has been covered with textile; with each having a different print. The beds also have curtains or wooden blinds added for a bit of 'privacy'. The retro lamps and light fittings that Mr. Baldwin has used to give a source of light to each bunk and adds a nice touch to the otherwise dark corners of the space.
Situated between two of the bunks is what looks like a performance area. In front of gold voile curtains (decorated with bows and faux-sequined material) is the performance space. Today, it looks like some strange operating table. Atop of the simmering gold tablecloth is a pile of celery and artichokes, a couple of surgery masks and a silver platter. In the centre of the platter lie scalpels and blades. This 'operating table' is a clear indication of what took place at the event on Thursday evening: Vegetable dissection. Perhaps there is some metaphor between heart-surgery and the dicing and slicing of the artichoke hearts? Mr. Baldwin is know for turning his work into a social spectacle; using the artistic environment as a space for people to not only view his work but participate in his work (e.g. turning the installation into a party). For the remainder of February, Centre Clark hosts bi-weekly events at Bunk Bed City, where Mr. Balwdin invites guests to join in cooking, drinking, games, karaoke, films and of course - the destruction of the installation, set to take place on February 26th 2011.
 |
| Installation view of Bunk Bed City by Dean Baldwin at Centre Clark. Photo by Jessica Surendorff |
Apart from the voyeuristic aspect of being able to 'snoop' through the installation, and discover the interesting and humorous bits and pieces in the space - one of the great things about Mr. Baldwin's work is its dynamism. The next time I go to the space, the installation will be different. Perhaps nothing too drastic, but things will have moved. I like this idea that the installation is not 'perfect', and only mean to be viewed one certain way. When Mr. Baldwin invites people to the space, their presence means that it is not only the artist that determines the aesthetics of the space... the general public too. The idea of community and interaction between artists and the public is one of the defining points of Centre Clark. Not only is this place a gallery, but also has a work-space with specialized woodworking equipment open to the public. Centre Clark also offers their professional level technical support to the community. Be sure to drop by Centre Clark to check out this installation, or even join in one of the evening events for some cocktails or karaoke. (Art and alcohol: a great combination).
