PLINTH 

PLINTH

Fine Art Critical Practice
University of Brighton

PLINTH challenges and subverts the identity of the plinth as an object. Each artist presents their interpretation of a plinth. Contrary to tradition, the viewer is presented with an exhibition where the plinth is not a support to the art, but the art itself.

By presenting a presentation device as an art piece, PLINTH comments on the history of the plinth, engaging with the question, what is art? Since the classical period art has been placed on plinths to elevate it above the realm of everyday life. Minimalism recognized the plinth’s power by rejecting it, placing sculptures directly onto the gallery floor as an attempt to remove the separation between life and art. Today, the ongoing Fourth Plinth project in Trafalgar Square is one of the largest and most documented pieces of public art in recent years. It has drawn huge crowds and has brought to the public sphere questions of the plinth’s identity and importance.

Fine Art: Critical Practice is exclusive to the University of Brighton, this course asks students to demonstrate not only their skills as innovative artists, but also to engage with critical, theoretical and historical issues relevant to the art world today. This exhibition grew out of a conviction that the weight of art history falls heavy on the shoulders of young art students. PLINTH addresses this anxiety of authorship and originality by introducing a plinth for plinth’s sake.






30 NOVEMBER- 7 DECEMBER – 11-5PM
PRIVATE VIEW- 29TH NOVEMBER 5-8PM
LATE NIGHT THURSDAY 6TH DECEMBER 11-8PM


Room 207
University of Brighton
Grand Parade Building
58-67 Grand Parade
BN2 0JY

Email: critical-practice@uni.brighton.ac.uk