Malcolm McLaren – Shallow
Text: Robyn Lynch
Prior to its opening at the Baltic, Gateshead, this October, Shallow, an exhibition curated by Malcolm McLaren, received much critical acclaim while shown at its previous New York venue.
Most famously known for his involvement with Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols, McLaren also studied at both Goldsmith’s and Central Saint Martins. His new exhibition, Shallow, a collection of musical paintings is, of course, of a rather controversial nature.
Malcolm McLaren – Shallow
Featuring images of ordinary men and women before they have sex, the films on show are provocative and disturbing. Shown as ‘cut-ups’, the footage showcased at Shallow is a mix-match of sliced, manipulated and mutilated images which leaves the viewer feeling dazed and bemused by the exhibition.
Malcolm McLaren - Shallow
Using single frames of erotic film from 1960s media, the films in Shallow are played for a duration of 5 minutes each and act as almost still portraits of human nature acting on its most basic instincts. McLaren uses these films to portray his interpretation of the music and fashion industries, commenting that the films are the ‘look of music’ and the ‘sound of fashion’.
Malcolm McLaren will also be appearing at the exhibition on Friday November 13 from 19.30 onwards to talk about Shallow and introduce his work.
Not for those who easily feel awkward or those without an open mind to a variety of arts, Shallow by Malcolm McLaren runs at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts from October 16 to January 10 2010.
Image credits: Malcolm McLaren Shallow 1-21 © and courtesy the artist
