Gian Maria Tosatti, I’ve already been here – Apt #102, 2011
Exterior view, Image courtesy of the artist
Gian Maria Tosatti is an artist currently participating in the LMCC Swing Space Residency on Govenors Island, New York. For those who don’t know, Govenors Island is located off of the southern tip of Manhattan a short ferry ride away from Wall Street and is currently open to the public only during the spring and summer months. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) established a residency here in 2010 and the facilities contain 20 art studios as well as 2 rehearsal spaces suitable for music or dance. Gian Maria Tosatti is an environmental installation artist, usually based in Rome, Italy. Most of his work responds to and interacts with a particular site-specific location. Since commencing upon the LMCC Swing Space residency, his attention has focused on the city of New York as a portal of memory. In his process of exploration into physical space, substantial research extends towards inhabitants who have migrated and immigrated to Manhattan as well as those who have left the city after not realizing his/her predetermined goals. The intention is make an environment that is both simultaneously foreign and nostalgic. The piece currently installed on Governors Island is part of Fondamenta (2009-Present) an ongoing series and is located in one of the many abandoned buildings, titled I’ve already been here – Apt #102, 2011.
Gian Maria Tosatti, I’ve already been here – Apt #102, 2011
Interior, Image courtesy of the artist
The studio visit was held on a beautiful, sunny, autumn day. The sky was cloudless and a subtle breeze shuffled auburn and gold leaves around in miniature tornado formations. I waited briefly staring skyward, while Gian Maria opened the usually locked building. Returning shortly thereafter, he informed me that I would be entering the space alone and proceeded to close the door at my back. A smile slowly crept across my face at the realization and opportunity to view work sans information beyond what I recently learned of the artist. Pausing, I glanced at the walls, floor and trio of hooks, present without purpose. Shuffling languidly, my foot steps were the only sound in the cool damp space. I opened kitchen cabinets, peered into an exposed hole on the opposite wall and proceeded on a self-guided expedition. A narrow hallway, lead to several locked doors. A row of bathroom stalls, mirrors and a few urinals are visible only by a flickering fluorescent light, dully glowing orange. After my second loop, I noticed that one of the wooden doors appeared to be propped open by a small piece of wood. Slowly, the door opened and I entered into a humid room which at first appeared empty.

Gian Maria Tosatti, I’ve already been here – Apt #102, 2011
Interior, Image courtesy of the artist

Towards the back of the space in the far left corner, is a sink that has been installed upside down. Approaching the object it was clear that a soft drip of water leaked from the faucet onto the dusty floor below. Also on the floor, markings in the form of white rectangles, reference furniture and previous tenant occupation. However, after being abandoned for several years evidence from the previous tenant had already faded away. The shapes on the floor, along with the inverted sink, are both the result of Gian Maria’s research and precise execution. The absurdity is both poignant and responsive to the interior. The sink has been impeccably installed along with a concealed water pump and its physical displacement is extremely refreshing. Within the room, rational thought is abolished and a new kind of self-driven consideration dominates. The work is minimal and yet extremely weighted by the emotional baggage it attempts to extract from both the viewer and the proposed history of the interior.

 
Gian Maria Tosatti, I’ve already been here – Apt #102, 2011
Interior, Image courtesy of the artist
Turned and inserted into a new context, the sink as a sculptural object communicates not only with contemporary artistic dialogue but also with previous art movements including Dadaism and Fluxus. Other contemporary artists make work that interacts with and responds to environments including Mike Nelson who was a Turner Prize nominee (2001 and 2007) and represented the British Pavilion at the 54th Biennale di Venezia, 2011. However, Gian Maria Tosatti uniquely relies on the viewer and their personal biography to complete the work. Not only is he making a psychological realm, but also requires physical interaction by way of self projection in an attempt at manipulating history. In what he calls “machines” the interior spaces function to arouse discomfort or anxiety resulting in personal internal response. The installation functions as a mirror and the artist attempts to identify social archetypes that are particular to generational, historical energy. Because if left to its own devices, the drips from the sink would eventually flood the room and wash all the memories away.
Gian Maria Tosatti, I’ve already been here – Apt #102, 2011
Drawing study, graphite on paper, Image courtesy of the artist
Gian Maria Tosatti will be in residence on Govenors Island as part of the LMCC Swing Space until December, 2011. The next Open Studio event will occur Friday, December 9th, 2011 from 12pm – 6pm. RSVP here.
For more on the artist please visit: http://www.tosatti.org/
More soon!
xo