Language

Laurel Woodcock is a familiar face to the University of Lethbridge as she spent a short time teaching at the University in the early ninety’s. Laurel’s work primarily deals with themes such as the use of everyday language and addressing the problems and possibilities that exist with it. The first work Laurel showed was titled “wish you were here”, the work included a plane that was hired to fly around and display a banner with the text “wish you were here” trialing behind.  After the experience had been documented Laurel followed up with an installation focusing on the impossibility of the phrase. She points out “wish you were here” is invoking a feeling from the viewer that can’t be obtained or meet. The idea that you can’t be there really interests Laurel.  She affirms this by stating “this is an impossible proposal that not only engages artist but non artist as well.”

The second work that Laurel showed was a video piece of her inflating many balloons and tying them to a chair. Laurel was interested in the process and the result of attempting to lift this chair and not so much having a successful result. As she sates “I enjoy using objects that project a certain visual language… I am interested in the effort it takes to create something… but then the thing fails… I enjoy confronting the idea of chance in my work.”

Continuing her investigation of language she shifted her work to more sculptural pieces. The work “abbreviated words” was created in part with her interest in manipulating language. The idea of taking words that are unfinished and attempting to associate meaning with contradicting phrases interested Laurel. The work “on a clear day” was a great example of her attempt to manipulate language and associate new meanings.  The piece was the phrase “on a clear day” cut from sheet steal and painted blue.  What made this work interesting was half the phrase was not visible to the viewer. So the viewing experience and the interpretation of the language were very contradicting. The distortion of language is a constant theme that is present in Laurel’s work.

I find Laurel’s work very interesting as she attempts to manipulate  language which appears from the outside very static, and translates this into video documentation and three dimensional works. When language is presented in this way your perception of words and specifically language are changed. I find myself looking beyond the written word and sounds that language possesses, and her work compels me to re-evaluate my understanding of language and how it’s interpreted.