turner
There were a couple of lines explaining what exactly is a Turner Prize at the exhibition entrance, but I remember one criterion alone: you must be under fifty. No female or transvestites this year, it's a male-dominant list. All candidates used the medium of videos, but I think that it might be refreshing to see a work of classical painting amongst them. Jeremy Deller's included too many materials in his piece and thus I lost focus of what he wants to express--urban cycling pamphlets and Texas?? Kutlug Ataman's Twelve which deals with 12 people talking about their reincarnation experience is not hard to grasp, but as an artwork it doesn't leave a lasting impression. I admired Langlands & Bell's The House of Osama bin Laden which presented itself like a video arcade game, however I didn't appreciate the other work of flags and the Internet. Finally, I thought Yinka Shonibare's was the most interesting and innovative out of the four. The subject-matter of a Swedish king's murder presented in dance and African textiles was quite absorbing--I hope/predict that he will win. Just want to post this entry before the clock strikes eight when Jon Snow announces this year's winner. Jon Snow, repeat after me: Yinka Shonibare.