The show consists of silkscreen prints which show arrangements of books. The titles of the books form quotes about language and related topics. The conceptual meaning is displayed through pop art silkscreen prints. One of the prints for example reads: “the nude has descended the staircase”, a homage to Duchamp. In the works, fluorescent colors and visual shapes conflict with the philosophical sense of the depicted sentences. It short circuits the brain so that the viewer of “From Nothing” might actually arrive at nothing.
The paintings construct their meaning through the referential sign of a book title. A book here only serves as a word in a sentence or a statement, but the chosen carrier suggest that there is more to the book than only the title. To judge or not to judge the book by it’s cover? The pop aesthetics suggests that we do just that, take each book title as just contributing to an overall sentence. Also the fact that there is more than one of each print (but their colors vary) should be considered meaningful. The act of repetition decreases the importance of a message. Then again in pop art tradition the act of repetition is a meaningful and a favourable one. Lahoda uses the pop art technique as just another phrase in his artwork. But does it add up to a message?
The charm of the prints lies in the question whether there is a coded meaning or is it really about nothing. As the sentences are quotes they could be random. Also the fact that they are in fluorescent colors, which only shout: “hey, look at me”, contributes to the feeling that it’s a big bluff. Then again if we extend the notion of language to the visual language and the art tradition, the paintings become more charged with meaning. The silkscreen print, depicted books and the fact of repetition form a meaningful art entity. Whether this meaning or message can be verbalised is another question.
Exhibition is open until April 21. at Gallery Noorus (Riia 11, Tartu) from Tuesday to Saturday 12 a.m -7 p.m.
Photos by Pärtel Vissak.
