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This is an article on GILBERT & GEORGE in conversation.5 July 2011
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I originally wrote this for the London Literature Festival 2011 at the Southbank Centre:
SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING: AN EVENING WITH GILBERT & GEORGE
Two legends of the art world convening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre on Friday 1st July. This was on my must attend list the moment I became aware of it. When I was training to be a lawyer, a copy of Red Morning Trouble was hanging in my flat; and the original is currently hanging in the Tate Britain. In 1977 they felt like Britain was falling apart. Red is for love, danger, blood.
Beginning at the beginning, chairperson for proceedings Martin Bracewell, states that the 25th September 1967 was a momentous day – at London’s most famous art school, St. Martin’s, Gilbert and George met. They then dedicated themselves to being art. This event coincides with the publication of their latest The Complete Postcard Art of Gilbert & George.
Bracewell likens the dynamic duo to Dickens, as a chronicler of a moral vision of London; and tells them they are not part of a school, or a movement. Gilbert & George (G&G, from here on in – they say they are two people, but are one artist. They know each other – live and drink together. They know the end result. Personal taste is not enough, the result is.) say they were very poor and had a “life box” to show galleries – a living sculpture, one that feels. Their end of term project was exhibited in Frank’s Sandwich Bar on the Charring Cross Road - an anathema to those at the school – liking the claustrophobia. G&G talk about going up against the typical at the beginning. “The art stands still and the world changes around it,” George about their work. They even did a piece, George the Shit and Gilbert the Cunt [I think it’s that way round!]. They are at ease with dropping the c-bomb in conversation. Funnily enough, they seem to link to the Philip Pullman talk the day before: vitality versus authoritarianism and censorship.
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The Singing Sculpture caused them to get noticed. They exhibited it in New York for two weeks, and drank at night with famous contemporaries. One person said yes in 1970, no-one else did. Responses to their work included the words “mad” and “extreme”. They felt critics were polite at first, then vociferous against; and also felt not accepted, and got to like it. G&G are outsiders in the sense they are independent artists. Many pop stars, especially in the early 1970s, asked them to do record covers. G&G turned down commissions – they do not want others’ wants and desires when they go into a studio.
G&G then give a big scoop – their next project! They are preparing a huge group of pictures, 292 culled from nearly 4000 newspaper posters that you see outside newsagents. Each one has a title panel, and a picture of the Queen from coins across the Commonwealth. They read out the titles alternating between each other, in a hypnotic rhythm, from two different points in the alphabet. Titles include: ‘Life’, ‘Accused’, ‘Addict’, ‘London Crime’, ‘Arrest’, ‘Lover’, ‘Machete’, ‘Man Dies’, ‘Money First’, ‘Mother Straight’, etc.
G&G then talk about their locale. They were country boys and settled in East London, and think planet Earth is typified on Liverpool Street and Brick Lane. The neighbourhood hasn’t changed, but is “changing”; but contradictorily they also say that if you turn off the colour in East London, it could be the 19th century. These two statements make sense though. G&G talk about their process and their life. They do use computers, but no assistants – doing everything themselves. G&G do so much art that six shows can be going on, otherwise if you don’t live in a London, Paris, NY, you have to wait years for an artist. They also make catalogues, so even more can see their work.
The audience have their turn to quiz. Because of the earlier mention of theosophy, an audience member asks them about their belief in the occult. Their response is that they don’t believe in anything, but being alive; but would ban religion, and decriminalise sex. Asked about their process, G&G say it is a mystery. Do it first, and let others ask questions after. Following on from that, is it instinct or intellect? They are very informed, lots of research, they know a lot, and then they do it. A balance between being normal and weird. G&G answer a question on their relationship with London: London and the Western world has changed; London in 1969 was primitive. There’s still room for improvement. They don’t complain though, they are positive – they won’t sign a petition against something. They have a very small group of dear friends, and waiters are important, because they have to talk to G&G. Asked about what does an artist rebel against now, their response is that they are not anti-establishment. If pop stars and artists have the same view, it is unoriginal. But they are against religion – indoctrination, Gilbert’s is a Catholic background and George Methodist, they have been trying to free themselves.
G&G are good raconteurs, and know how to deliver a punchline. They seamlessly tell an anecdote together. And they conclude the evening by performing The Singing Sculpture, what a coup, where it all began!!
The audience have their turn to quiz. Because of the earlier mention of theosophy, an audience member asks them about their belief in the occult. Their response is that they don’t believe in anything, but being alive; but would ban religion, and decriminalise sex. Asked about their process, G&G say it is a mystery. Do it first, and let others ask questions after. Following on from that, is it instinct or intellect? They are very informed, lots of research, they know a lot, and then they do it. A balance between being normal and weird. G&G answer a question on their relationship with London: London and the Western world has changed; London in 1969 was primitive. There’s still room for improvement. They don’t complain though, they are positive – they won’t sign a petition against something. They have a very small group of dear friends, and waiters are important, because they have to talk to G&G. Asked about what does an artist rebel against now, their response is that they are not anti-establishment. If pop stars and artists have the same view, it is unoriginal. But they are against religion – indoctrination, Gilbert’s is a Catholic background and George Methodist, they have been trying to free themselves.
G&G are good raconteurs, and know how to deliver a punchline. They seamlessly tell an anecdote together. And they conclude the evening by performing The Singing Sculpture, what a coup, where it all began!!
The Singing Sculpture
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