Interactive Art 12: Modified Social Benches
Modified Social Benches
Made by Jeppe Hein, modified social benches is a rather interesting art piece in that people who interact with this art piece do not often take notice that they are indeed interacting with it. Due to their alterations, the benches look like a combination of a dysfunctional object and a functional piece of furniture. This points out the contradiction between artwork and functional object in which some art forms a unique statement but creates a scarcely functional piece of work.
The belief behind this art piece is that artworks in public spaces open up new possibilities for the viewer to lose one's timidity towards art. Passersby can interact with Hein's works without even knowing that they are art. This creates an opportunity to unite people of different backgrounds, encouraging interaction and engagement. Hein's interactive art installations often appeal to people who find museums intimidating, rather than inspiring.
However, not only do Hein’s pieces put people in dialogue with one another, they provoke a discourse about public space. This is particularly relevant at a time when places for communication—such as free, creative spaces and areas designed to enable interaction and involve people in a dialogue with their surroundings and others—are absent from most contemporary cities.
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| Jeppe Hein, Modified Social Bench NY, 2015. Courtesy KÖNIG GALERIE, Berlin, 303 Gallery, New York and Galleri Nicolai Wallner, Copenhagen. Photo: James Ewing. |
Made by Jeppe Hein, modified social benches is a rather interesting art piece in that people who interact with this art piece do not often take notice that they are indeed interacting with it. Due to their alterations, the benches look like a combination of a dysfunctional object and a functional piece of furniture. This points out the contradiction between artwork and functional object in which some art forms a unique statement but creates a scarcely functional piece of work.
The belief behind this art piece is that artworks in public spaces open up new possibilities for the viewer to lose one's timidity towards art. Passersby can interact with Hein's works without even knowing that they are art. This creates an opportunity to unite people of different backgrounds, encouraging interaction and engagement. Hein's interactive art installations often appeal to people who find museums intimidating, rather than inspiring.
However, not only do Hein’s pieces put people in dialogue with one another, they provoke a discourse about public space. This is particularly relevant at a time when places for communication—such as free, creative spaces and areas designed to enable interaction and involve people in a dialogue with their surroundings and others—are absent from most contemporary cities.
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