by
COLLECTIVE MONOCHROME No. 26 (CEMENTA 13, KANDOS 2013)
The Collective Monochrome is a publicly assisted contemporary art work from Billy Gruner, in
association with Sarah Keighery (Lighting/art) and Ian Andrews (sound collage).
In this work the audience and other artists of the Festival are invited to assist in making: Collective
Monochrome No.26 and the invitation is open for the duration of the Cementa 13 Festival at
Kandos.
The Collective Monochrome is an ongoing international contemporary art project seen in 25 other
locations world-wide since 2005. As stated, the painting is created in conjunction with other artists
and sound works and audiences - a process that sets out to make a place of mediation of public
and artists alike.
The materials used and staging are basic:- a can of paint and a brush is placed alongside a
stretched canvas on a conventional studio easel. A Collective Monochrome is then developed
over a period of time as a group effort, and the painting is accretive. That is, one layer forms over
the previous layers and so on. The idea of a monochrome painting simply means that the colour
does not change and it is proposed that No.26 is a bright red. The previous and first series of
works were done only in blue, and the second series only in yellow.
Each participant is requested to ‘sign-on’ as part of the collective action that paints the collective
painting and together add equally and collectively to the outcome of the art work. Each final work
becomes a relic and representative symbol of a certain time, place and people.
One this occasion Gruner is joined by Sarah Keighery and Ian Andrews who have created an
integrated audio and artlight design specifically for the 26th location. Sarah Keigherys light will be
rice paper lanterns coated in food ‘colour coded’ additives
As a whole the Collective Monochrome No.26 like a similar work currently on show at the
Australia Council building introduces to audiences of the Festival the opportunity to experience a
conceptual art practice that works towards both visual and philosophical outcomes.
The 3 artists are all long term members of the Sydney-based international collective, SNO. Or,
Sydney Non Objective Contemporary Art Projects based at Marrickville - sno.org.au
Billy Gruner can be contacted via [email protected]