Field Report #2, Act/React

This past weekend i finally got off of my lazy butt and decided to go check out what the new exhibit, Act React, at the Milwaukee Art Museum had to offer. I had only been to the Art museum once before for a Digital Arts course so i was anxious to see how that visit would compare to this one. The exhibit that I had previously gone to had been called "Foto" was was basically a brief overview of photography in the 20th century. Act React was MUCH different from the traditional style of an art exhibit. Normally the viewer can interact with works in a few ways; mainly pondering motivation for a work and such, but this exhibit brings the interactivity to a whole new level.

The first installation that I would like to talk about is Brian Knep's "Healing Pool". If you're looking for a piece of artwork that not only invites you, but almost essentially NEEDS you to finish its presence, this is it. The work consists of a 20x30 ft. floor with a projection coming down on it that looks like a bunch of cells or something. As one walks out on to the floor the "cells" will disappear where they walk, and eventually begin to reappear in the empty spaces. If you stop moving in the middle of Healing Pool, the cells will form around where you stand, sit, lay, and will not overtake you. This is the reason that I believe that this work is a good example of interactive art that NEEDS someone to complete it. The other amazing thing about this work, as the artist, and the curator McKinnen implied, is that this work will bring people together and cause them to act in ways that they wouldn't normally act in an exhibit or public place. When I was there, people began to jump in simultaneously and attempt to clear the whole floor of the cells. People of all ages were running around frantically and laughing as they tried to complete this task. I really enjoyed this work.

The second Piece i would like to go over is Janet Cardiff's sound table entitled "To Touch". This work stood out from the rest in that it was mostly a sonic experience, not a visual one. There is a large, old-looking wooden table with some lights shining on it. One who had no previous knowledge going in to this room would probably be highly confused as to what they were looking for in the piece. I, however had seen clips of this work in class so I dove right in. This installation can cause all sorts of different reactions from the viewer(listener?). I began at a corner of the table and moved my hands very slowly. The sounds began to emerge from around the room according to my movements. After experimenting with To Touch for a few minutes I began to move faster and receive the information more and more quickly. I watched as other people interacted with the work and decided that this piece really can't be the same for any two people. No one navigates the table in quite the same way, which I thought was very intriguing.

All in all this exhibit blew the previous visit to the Art Museum(for me at least) out of the water. The idea of actually being able to infinitely be a part of the work in so many different ways is just amazing to me. This sort of art seems to really be emerging and engaging many people's interests. Many people are getting somewhat bored of the old white wall exhibit; this is a great way to break away from the same-old and experience something completely new.