Krzysztof Wodiczko

Mobile Home for the Homeless 

There were several drawing related issues that could have been highlighted as a result of going on the trip last week to the Liverpool Biennale. However I am just going to pick out what for me was the standout exhibition; Krzysztof Wodiczko at FACT.

From the video installation 'Guests'

The Krzysztof Wodiczko exhibition was particularly interesting in relation to how he uses drawing to visualize his ideas. He uses video, projections, objects and prosthetics to explore themes of immigration and displacement. As well as his immersive video projection installation ‘Guests’, on display were his body extensions, wheeled carriages, mobile home for the homeless and initial technical drawings and sketchbook drawings for his various pieces of work.

'Guest' used the device of filming all the participants from behind a 'frosted glass' set of windows, only their shadow could be seen, they were never in full focus. However their voices could be heard and text moved across the screen giving us an English translation. This device ensured that the 'migrants' who were at the centre of the piece were unrecognisable as individuals, they were in effect shadow people, a strong metaphor for their actual existence. They are captured by the lens in such a way that the process of capture, becomes an analogy for their status in the 'real' world. 

Walking machine

Drawing for Mobile Home for the Homeless

Some of Wodiczko's drawings are very technical and others more informal, but in both cases what you realise is that he needs to use drawing to work through what it is that he wants to do.

Drawings for various projects

He is a very interesting artist to look at, in particular he has been making work in response to the refugee crisis well before it became a big media story. His support for the ‘outsider’ and his interest in highlighting where power resides in our various institutions are both important issues, and demonstrate that an artist can be both politically active and still make interesting art.

It's interesting to look at the drawings above in relation to the actual video projection below, you can see how much is worked out in drawing before he sets out to make the video. 

Krzysztof Wodiczko: Projection

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