Passersby and gallery goers stick gum on Gumhead, installed adjacent to the Vancouver Art Gallery on Howe Street. (Nicosia Smith photo)
By Nicosia Smith
Whenever you chew a gum in public, in almost every case your next thought is where to stick it.
Well, Vancouver based international artist and writer Douglas Coupland has come up with an idea.
It is interactive and all it asks, is that you stick gum on a head – an image of the artist.
Now here is where it gets sticky, the gum-head head is located only at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
It is Coupland, Gumhead, a public art work commissioned by the Gallery.
No matter what your thoughts are about gum, it is intriguing.
This project makes you feel the need to explore in your head, how gum has served art.
And how exactly is gum serving art you are likely to ask?
Since this 7-foot tall sculpture only calls on passersby and gallery goers to chew gum and paste it on its head.
And that in it self, you can argue is art.
And here is another thought that was shared with me.
One gallery host explain that the public in many cases deface public art, so why not make their input apart of the art.
And a lot of people seem to agreed. The public has not shied away.
For those of you who enjoy sticking gum in public, it is a dream art project.
For those that don’t, well there is the cringe effect.
Since it went on view May 31, this once plain black-head is now
Douglas Coupland: Gumhead, 2014 made from steel, milled foam, resin and gum. (Nicosia Smith photo)
sticky, multi-colored and almost covered with chewed gums.
I must admit I was not chewing gum and sticking it on Gumhead.
Nevertheless, I was fascinated by the numbers that came off the street to add to Gumhead.
Coupland, has described this work as “a gumbased, crowdsourced, publicly interactive self-portrait.”
Through September 1, the public can take part in this very unique work.
Coupland is also exploring the singularity of Canadian culture, technology and the power of language in Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything. The artist is shedding light on what he terms “the 21st century condition.”
A glimpse of Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything exhibit, at the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Nicosia Smith photo)
So my border friends go ahead, chew and paste if this takes your fancy.
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