SCREEN DIARY: WOT U :-) ABOUT?
ARTIST FILM: We went to see Rachel Maclean’s multimedia installation at Tate Britain, WOT U 🙂 ABOUT? (until 09 APR 2017). Here’s our writeup.
WOT U : -) ABOUT? – Rachel Maclean’s multimedia installation at Tate Britain – plays brilliantly with the dayglo propaganda of the emoji age.
First thing you’ll notice is that Tate’s familiar classicism has had a makeover, transforming one large room into a seductive reception hall for our digital indoctrination. Joining Maclean’s molten proletariat, we demand data – but everything comes at a price.
The central attraction is IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS (2016), a music video cum computer game about the inherent dangers of social celebrity. Digital graphics, elaborate make-up and cosplay transform Maclean into a varied cast of characters, cloning her image to create dramatic shifts in size and scale. It’s a vibrantly edited, colour-saturated fantasy, depicting both beauty and its backlash.
WE WANT DATA (2016) consists of large format digital prints that share scenes and characters from the film. Bold and banner-like, these beautiful images are rich with detail and worthy of your time.
Fun as well as frightening, Maclean’s looping film deserves a second viewing if you can fit one in. Set aside time too for some hardcore people watching: the shuffling crowd poses and posts on its way through real and digital space, subtly affirming Maclean’s meaning.
- COST: Free
- WHAT: A single room installation by Scottish multi-media artist Rachel Maclean featuring a looped 29min video – IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS (2016) – large format digital prints – WE WANT DATA (2016) – and a lipstick pink carpet.
- WHERE: Tate Britain – the home of British art from 1500 to the present day
- WHEN: Until 9 April 2017
- OPENING TIMES: Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
- TRAVEL: Plan your visit here.
Featured image: WE WANT DATA (2016), Rachel Maclean.