Ian Wilson (b. 1940, South Africa – d. 2020)
Discussions

Ha, here is an entry on an artist whose work I have never experienced, and about whose existence I have only learned from an obituary this morning. Nevertheless, I am positioning him as pertinent to my practice.

I find it inspiring that he could narrow down his practice to discussions in galleries that will not be recorded in any way. I can totally relate to that approach as I am conceiving of my own practice as a mode of engagement with the world here and now – not building a monument to survive me into the future. It is also pushing hard into the essence of art (well, “essence” is a wrong word, but somehow in all the ubiquity of words the most relevant ones are always lacking) – where is art “located” when it is presented in a form of discussion? Does it survive the discussion? As “art” is foremost is a concept – a word, if you wish, whose meanings are fluid over time and among people – it is bound to be eventually traced to one’s mind. Presentation of physical objects as art evoke artistic experiences, but also obscures that fact. And eventually it is that meaning generation in audience’s minds that I mostly interested in.

I can only wish that I was self-confident enough – and had enough to say – to be able to present a conversation with myself as art.