INTRODUCTION
Ceal Floyer began her Light Switch series in 1992. The first iteration of the series, Light Switch( United Kingdom) was exhibited in the 1995 British Art Show, famed for capturing the emergence of the YBA generation( Young British Artists). Light Switch( United Kingdom) is now in the collection of Tate Modern, London.
“ Light Switch” has since become a key and classic work in Floyer’ s oeuvre, which is characterised by a deceptive simplicity, sense of humour and awareness of the absurd. Through subtle intervention, Floyer provokes double-takes, encouring the viewer to renegotiate their perception of the world.
Each Light Switch work consists of a 35mm slide projector stationed approximately 50 centimetres from a wall( i. e., at‘ arm’ s length’), often near an entranceway or corner. A single slide projects a life-size image of a domestic light switch against a white wall, exactly where one might expect to find an actual light switch. The light switch is depicted in the‘ on’ position. Each Light Switch work is unique, and country specific, projecting an image of the type of light switch most commonly found in the particular country. Each Light Switch work can only be installed in the country with which it is associated.
Montage of a selection of Light Switch versions: Light Switch – British – Japanese – German American – Irish – French Italian – Turkish
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