Romy Stein,

Artist/Curator

Film #1 Connections, Film #2 Fragments   

The two films presented here explore the tensions between the art museum space, the artworks that reside within them, and myself. In each film I attempt to understand this complex relationship by following my subjective train of thought and inner monologue.

I investigate the dynamics and histories of cultural institutions because I believe art is a powerful educational resource due to its subjective nature. In these films I aim to amplify this sense of subjectivity, despite many questions around ownership and objectivity arising. How do these spaces exist in the name of a culture without diminishing the subjective way we experience art?  My voice is present in each film, guiding the audience through this investigation.

Film #1 Connections uses the train of thought as a method for examining the complexity of how I interpret ideas. Starting with a memory of a birthday party, the film explores personal associations of museums, art and spectatorship.

Film #2 Fragments is a combination of videos from art museum spaces and large galleries which further explores the dynamics of cultural institutions. Utilising internal monologue as a practice for examining the way one might internalise these spaces.

Museums exist for a multitude of reasons with varied prerogatives, but one reason is to preserve and exemplify an aspect of a culture deemed to be worthy of display. Exhibition spaces represent and teach us about cultural values, which I have often found problematic and difficult to navigate due to questions around the commodification of artworks and ownership of value. How and who decides what is displayed? How do individuals navigate what is deemed to be of artistic merit when often excluded from the decision-making process?