John Maeda and Me.
Ever fascinated by new ways to approach exhibitions, Riflemaker’s John Maeda is the Fortune Cookie’ is a cross between a therapy session and interactive performance art. When one enters the consultation room - with the sandpit in its centre; why? “it absorbs sound” says John, with a seasoned neutral tone. I shirk off to the chair proffered, “so just start talking” he says, I begin to jabber, mirth and sarcasm slaver off my tongue as I mutter something about wanting to sound articulate and interesting. He looks at me, then away, is he actually interested? Maybe - he’s warming up? My ego wants/beseechs him to think - my god she is AMAZING…Perhaps its all part of the performance. Intermittently he uses a chopstick-like tool to scribe or draw in the sand. This is my future.
It quickly becomes apparent to participate in one to one psycho-art one has to either be extremely secure or in a la-la dreamland so when one is pronounced ‘sturdy’, one feels rest assured that the definition is more closely aligned to the dignity of a well-rooted oak tree rather than an aesthetic commentary of how alike my thighs are to Wayne Rooney.
I was happy in the end because quite out of the blue Maeda elicited from me a meaningful life metaphor - when asked for something that described the way I learn - I said it as akin to car windscreen wipers. My mind collects information like water it collates it and just when you thought you had it sussed it’s wiped away again. Philosophical indeed. 10 minutes with the man is not enough, I wonder how much he’d charge for an hour.
John Maeda is live at Riflemaker from 16-19th November.
