Transient Façades at The Well

Peter Cannings and Alex Roberts are the artistic masterminds behind this wonderful look into image obsession and the elusive nature of moments in time. Taking place at The Well exhibition space at The London College of Communication, the exhibition houses 14 pieces of work. The idea for this event came about when a few artists working on similar concepts came together. The concepts were linked with media and how it alters our view of images, as well as challenging our beliefs on beauty. 

A walk around the room simulates a journey for visitors. The first piece titled Forever appears to be three dimensional, but upon further inspection, the viewer is drawn closer to the canvas. Thus the oil and acrylic have achieved their desired effect, and the observer is now curious as to what else lies ahead. The images of fotolog/Room 3, fotolog/Room 17 and fotolog/Room 20 are concurrent with what society has now deemed beautiful, and can be considered a satirical portrayal of the ideal. Love The Skin You’re In combines every element of the exhibition’s themes into a photo-like image. This Road Will Never End, It Probably Goes All Around The World remains as mysterious as its singular figure. Maura & Ita demonstrates the duality of beauty with rich shades of red and smudged effects. Chris is bold and well-crafted; a true piece of art. 

Oliver Jones’ pieces are all extremely well designed to the point of seeming like photographs. The Outsider combines feminine and masculine traits to convey a piece that is beautiful in itself. Transient Façades is amusingly clever and seems to sum up the whole idea for the event. So… highlights the point of perceptions and how they are fleeting. The truth is animates the idea of freedom and ignores what is supposedly real. Sketch Of Sainte Marie de La Tourette (Le Corbusier) truly leaves you thinking. Shrink Wrap Flesh again reveals Jones’ fine workmanship. Mask 1, Mask 2 and Mask 3 bear down upon the viewer, possibly establishing the power of images. You and me babe presents a view into the reality of beauty with its distorted symmetry. 

After having passed through all the works, visitors can be assured that they will feel enlightened, even if they are unsure how. The feeling of having been challenged is raw and encourages thoughts on a larger scale. As the duty of art is to nurture our thoughts, it is done so to a high standard by this gallery of superb pieces. 

Rahul Bahal

Transient Façades is at The Well, London College of Communication, from 16^th – 26^th October 2012. For further information and directions to get to the event visit this website here.