Damn Your Eyes at MOCCA

Contributed by Nick Hanekom

I'm a little confused today.

After last nights viewing of Damn Your Eyes the question I'm asking myself is what exactly was I supposed to experience? At first glance it was just a bunch of guys and gals sitting around doing well, nothing. Perhaps I should have joined them to truly understand the conceptual aspect; the idea of sitting around listening to whatever the two main installations - one bright and revealing, the other dark and personal - were all but occupied for the entire hour spent at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Arts (MOCCA). So instead I wandered around squinting in the light cast by the fluorescent tubes in the main hall. I was still wondering, what's this all about then?

If Damn Your Eyes: the infinite dimension of sound was strictly about the music played overhead, then the show was a hit even if the setting was a little off kilter. That said, the overall experience of ambience and stark environment was unsettling yet enjoyable, so what if the plot was lost on me. I don't profess to know everything and even if I did, it doesn't mean I'm on the same plane as these artists. If I were then the exhibition would have been blasé and I'd have nothing to write about. So there!

In retrospect I'd like to have experienced the full impact of this experimental presentation, that way I'd be able to tell whether it worked or not. But judging by the fact that almost all the audience were actually outside the gallery space, I'd have to say I'm not the only one who didn't get. At least I'm not afraid to say so!

If you want to try and figure it out for yourself Damn Your Eyes: the infinite dimension of sound is at the MOCCA from July 3 - August 17, 2008.