by Art Correspondent Lisa Holmes.
The opening of Operative Leo Renmore's latest exhibit has caused a stir amongst the ingelligencia of Mort. Called "Challenging to the point of subversive" by some, Leo Renmore is an operative turned artist, who draws his inspiration from his time on the streets keeping them safe for loyal citizens of this city. His latest piece, entitled simple "Operative Status", is a life size casting of the artist himself in plexi-glass, run through with tarnished chains of bronze, on a plinth of brushed bonze bearing an enlarged engraving of Leo's own contract. This whole construct is entombed in a solid Concert block with a plexi glass front and a single hole on the upper surface, allowing Morts ever present rain to enter the block.
I was fortunate enough to catch Leo's financier, Insepta at the opening..
"It is intended to be an evolving instillation, Leo anticipates it will take a month for the rain to fill the block. The rain water will corroded the plexi-glass of the statue. If the factory calculations are correct the casting should last about six months, though of course it is unlikely to look like him for that long. " She laughed.
"But surely the Plexi-glass of the window will also be effected by the rain?"
"The window is expected to last a little longer Obviously when it goes the fluid collected will be released on to Uptown Sector 3 Plaza. We expect that to happen in some eight months time. Obviously, the bronze and the concrete structure will remain. We will be installing a screen showing a time lapse replay of the events after the fluid is released. But I suppose the message is come and see it now, although I know Leo hopes people will visit his installation on a regular bases to observe the changes."
"Obviously the imagery of his work always caused debate, but what does Leo say is the meaning of his creations?"
She laughs again. "If he has one its not something he is willing to share. He always says people should look for themselves and take away what they want to see in it."As much as Mr Renmore would like people to make up their own minds I felt it only right to ask some of the other attendees of the ceremony their opinions of this creations.
- Ms Reynolds:
- "Its meaning? Erm I'm still trying to work that one out. He's got a good body though hasn't he. Rather Sexy. I like my men well built. Any chance you could introduce us?"
- Monsieur Esnek:
- "It is subversive. I'm telling you. He has pushed things to far this time. Showing Operatives chained to the contract, being melted by the rain - oh come on. Cloak should have dealt with him and his like long ago. Totally disgusting."
- Mr Trent:
- "Nonsense. Esnek is talking through his backside, he's just bitter because the Tate award went to Renmore last year. Also his interpretation is clouded by his own opinions of Mort. The meaning is clear. Mr Slayers perfect big picture, represented by the beautiful contract, is restricted and tarnished by being implemented by the fragile operative. We see how the operative is transitory, almost disposable, yet the strength of the contract remains. Far from Subversive it speaks of the strengths of our society, whilst revealing the underlying problem of the troubles on Mort and points to the solution. We need operatives with the strength to carry Mr Slayers Image to its conclusion."
- Operative Calcine:
- "What does it mean? [laugh] it means another 40,000 Credits in his account. He's on the gravy train and he's milking it for all its worth. Don't blame him, If I could get away with being paid for that bollox I wouldn't be working this crown control Blue now would I. Speaking of which - move along, some of us have work to do."
- Follow the progress of the installation
- Insepta's comment at the launch of the "final form":
- Obviously were are a little disappointed at the rapid progress of the instillation. The Plexi glass front screen giving out after only 86 days was a little head of schedule, and unfortunately before the catch system was complete. The rapid response of operatives to the resulting Red BPN was much appreciated, and shows how well placed Leo's belief in his fellow operatives is. I believe there is an investigation into sabotage by Dark Night sympathizers at the production facility who supplied the material he used.
Despite this set back I believe the installation was a success, we had a much larger number of visitors than we thought possible, and I'd like to say a personal thank you to every one who came, and of course to our sponsors; the Department of Artistic Development and Plexi-glass.
BPN Ideas:
Blue: Crowd control at the instillation
Red: response to the water from the installation flooding the plaza.
White: investigate why the plexi-glass gave way so quickly.
Grey: Is Leo Renmore subversive?
Hunter sheet: Taken out by Monsieur Esnek against Mr Trent for deformation of character in the above interview.
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