#196: Maneck's Refrigerator

A refrigerator.  On it is written:

Maneck was silent as they persevered to rescue the shreds of their livelihood. Not all their skills with needle and thread could sew it together again, he thought. Did life treat everyone so wantonly, ripping the good things to pieces while letting bad things fester and grow like fungus on unrefrigerated food? Vasantrao Valmik the proofreader would say it was all part of living, that the secret of survival was to balance hope and despair, to embrace change. But embrace misery and destruction? No. If there were a large enough refrigerator, he would be able to preserve the happy times in this flat, keep them from ever spoiling; and Avinash and chess, which soured so soon, he would save that too; and the mountains of snow, and the General Store, before it all went gloomy …

But it was an unrefrigerated world. And everything ended badly. What could he do now? … There was no way out, it was checkmate for him.

Mistry, Rohinton (1995) A Fine Balance. London, Vintage, p.505.

What would you save?

#195: Omprakash's Coat of Good Times

‘If time were a bolt of cloth,’ said Om, ‘I would cut out all the bad parts. 

How would yours look?

 Snip out the scary nights and stitch together the good parts, to make time bearable.

Om has concerns about his: would you have enough fabric?

 Then I could wear it like a coat, always live happily.’

Or far too much?

---

Quote from p.310 of Mistry, Rohinton (1995) A Fine Balance. London, Vintage.

#194: Support (An Exhibition of Prescribed Experiences to Help Visitors Understand How They Feel)

A leaflet and poster campaign is launched throughout the country.  Both include the following quote:

“Whatever you might be feeling, make a bookshelf of the writers who speak to you most, compile your favourite poems, go to your local gallery to experience art in the flesh or curate your own mini exhibition that will help you get through. Look to art for the answers because across the years, decades, or centuries, in work by someone who lived a completely different existence to you, you’ll find something you instantly recognise. And when you do, you can pass it on to someone else who might need it too.” - Katy Hessel.

as well as details of how to recommend art, literature, music, film, tv, or anything that might help aid people’s passages through different feelings and experiences.

Following on from this is an exhibition of the recommended (or prescribed) “medications” is staged.

At the centre is a sculpture called Support.  It features people crouched down in a circle supporting and raising up someone who is lying on a circular platform curled into a ball.

The exhibition shop only stocks leaflets and books aimed at supporting and helping attendees with their problems.

#193: Worry and After Worry

A full-size model of a tree.  

One side features entirely bare branches that have mould along them, which also runs down the trunk of the tree.  Blackbirds perch on the branches and nests sit empty.  

The opposite side is clear of the mould, and has branches bearing leaves and fruit (watermelons, bananas, artichokes and apples).  Within the leaves perch robins, crows and hummingbirds, many of whom occupy nests alongside partners and chicks; and many different flowers bloom: Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose, Red Columbine, and Stitchwort can all be seen.

Wherever the work is shown, the gallery must sell and have on offer a range of books, films and leaflets about anxiety and worry - for all ages and backgrounds.

#192: Empty and Solid

A hollow model of an apple seed made from stone and large enough to fit between someone's lungs. 

#191: Debt

Oil on canvas.  The scene shows a cross section of sky, ground and the soil beneath it.  Buried under the ground is a coffin containing a person who is awake and worried, dressed in a straitjacket. On the surface people are enjoying their lives.

#190: Shame

Oil on canvas.

Someone hiding inside a house, shrouded in darkness.  Through the window, a busy street scene is visible.

Or, Someone hiding in darkness while the world carries on outside.