Media Flaws

Nothing entertains me more than a rambling Brit that actually knows what he’s on about. Simply put: Brian Eno talking. A certain UCT campus had managed to upset many by means of stealing Eno from the expensive barriers of Design Indaba today. Apart from hosting an unusually calming or meditative exhibition at the Michaelis Gallery, Eno seems to be a talker of sorts – who at times reflects a sense of bitterness when touching on issues he does not particularly subscribe to.

So, it was with great interest to see him trash what one could term as 'interactive art' and merely rubbing it off as being nonsensical if not aspiring to being like a shopper trying to choose between rice or potatoes. Giving art viewers interativity and choices nullifies the point of exhibitions, according to Eno. Something he assimilates to being like an oke who buys himself the most expensive sound system, but never listens to it due to the fact that he is always positioning this speaker there, tweaking the treble here, neatly arranging the components – a type of agitation, lack of contention and concentration.

It truly was an honour to witness this breathe of fresh air in action. None of the superfluous le bourgeoisie art terms on postmodernism, neo-realism, avant garde, et cetera, et cetera… just a comedic-ish and detailed biographical talk on how he came about creating his latest Exhibition. A long process filled with trials and errors, tedious etchings and paintings, stolen video machines, unsynchronized sounds, annihilation of television broadcasters, avoiding employment and all sorts of stuff that would ‘stupidify’ criminals for choosing crime instead art.

Brian Eno will be speaking at the Design Indaba this Friday. For more on that, check out designindaba.com And if my writing wet your appetite for Eno’s art work – feel free to scurry along to the Michaelis Gallery, 31-37 Orange Street, Gardens. before the 28th of February 2007.