A video from the mixed media installation Kiosk: Directors Commentary (2020), presented at the Physics Room, Christchurch (2020) by Eddie Clemens.
The installation referenced the Kiosk, a permanent public art site for temporary exhibitions on the corner of High, Lichfield, and Manchester Streets in Christchurch’s city centre from 2000-2010. The Kiosk was subjected to vandalism throughout it's exhibition lifetime, before being "mysteriously removed".
Using video, performance, and sculptural installation, Clemens' installation explored the history of the Kiosk through a number of perspectives including his own exhibition history (he holds the record for most solo shows inside the Kiosk), as well as the institutionally-recorded history via website text, and histories collected from past artists, staff, and Directors. For the video, the roof of the Kiosk was reimagined as a stand up paddle board, which supported Clemens on a cinematic journey of homage along the Otakaro Avon River and out to sea.
"Jamie Hanton and Eddie Clemens enter the Ōtākaro in their dry suits and begin their journey down the river toward the estuary. Eddie quickly finds that the roof-as-paddleboard passes muster— “It’s pretty stable”. GoPros positioned on the front of Eddie’s paddleboard and mounted on Jamie’s chest give POV footage as it switches between the two cameras intermittently. Eddie’s GoPro provides a view from the paddleboard’s prow with the Oblique and Kiosk logos placed prominently. They are using the accoutrements of Xtreme sports (to the extent that stand up paddle boarding and inner tubing can be considered extreme sports) to navigate down what must be one of the most languid rivers in Canterbury. Through the GoPro footage, we are floating as them. Moving through the city, the flotilla passes construction sites, remnants of old Christchurch and the brand new built environment of post-earthquake. “Should there be another Kiosk?” Eddie muses. “It’s the big question. It’s on everyone’s minds.” Further on: “Could the Kiosk be a vehicle of some sort? Could it be rolled out? It could just be a small boat.” The shaft of Jamie’s oar passes across the GoPro’s field of vision. On it is written the word “fanatic”. When they reach the Estuary, Eddie paddles a small way into the ocean and lights a flare. Billows of bright orange smoke pour out, marking the end of the duo’s journey. They are emissaries delivering the Kiosk’s posthumous SOS from across a decade." - from an essay by James Hope
Installation Media:
High-resolution image available for download from the archived Oblique Trust’s Kiosk website printed on vinyl Image: The Kiosk during Warren Olds’ H:1 P:KASTLE exhibition Photo: Warren Olds
Blade in Gum (2003/2020) Powder-coated metal bracket, Wrigley’s Extra Strawberry Chewing Gum, and broken Impact craft knife blade
Blade in Phone (2009/2020) Powder-coated metal bracket, 6mm mild metal, and Bosch and Makita jigsaw blades
The God Particle (2010/2020) Powder-coated metal bracket, Worx WX445 1600W circular saw with Diablo Demo blade and Quarton Green Dot Laser Module
Donut (2020) 48” clear water park single tube for lazy river tubing from Guangzhou H-Fun Water Recreational Articles Company, custom printed with the Oblique Trust logo, the original Kiosk logo, and an earlier Physics Room logo
Kiosk: Directors’ Commentary (2020) Kiosk structure: powercoated square-tube, custom-made SUP from Morris Surfboards (polystyrene, marine-grade plywood stringer, surfboard grip, fibreglass fins, and ankle leash), GoPro Hero 8 with GoPro surfboard mount, Panasonic PT-AE8000EZ projector, Yamaha RX-S600 amp, Yamaha NS333 speakers, XT Brightsign
Kiosk Logbook (2020) 68 page A5 saddle-stitched booklet, all full colour on 100gsm paper with 250gsm satin cover, printed by Angus Donaldson Inside cabled-tied vinyl EWP Logbook pouch
Kiosk: Directors’ Commentary (2020) Single channel moving image with sound, 92 minutes Featuring Eddie Clemens and Jamie Hanton, with guest speakers Paul Johns and Paul Sutherland, and special Zoomed-in guest speaker Julaine Stephenson
Invitational Kiosk Archive Platform (2020) Powder-coated metal bracket and MARS GDL804 TC WH downlights with past Kiosk works from a selection of artists
