Nick Brdar

LEISURE PRACTICE
01.12–02.05.1995

My previous projects explored various definitions of public and private space, as well as the relationship between this diversity and the sculptural object. I have studied the notion of public place in different ways and have created sculptures that incorporate certain characteristics of public monuments, such as the centralized object, large scale, realism, and the use of durable materials.

With this new project, “Leisure Practice,” the space I address is that occupied by the consumer product. Much has been said—and will continue to be said—about the availability and standardization that influence the relationship between art objects and consumer goods. However, my work echoes the gesture of a child who prefers to play with a box rather than the toy that was inside. The universe that separates the empty box from the overly elaborately designed toy corresponds to the space to be discovered.

For a year, I collected the clear plastic packaging from the small items I bought (office supplies, small toys, tools, etc.) and decided to incorporate them into a project that would display them. This very purpose of displaying is inherent to plastic packaging, which offers good visibility of the contents but prevents any physical contact. My artwork allows the viewer, if they so choose, to discover a composition created from my exclusive purchases. It’s about triggering a valve to mark the beginning of a delicate interaction between the artist and the viewer.