The Hayward Gallery in London is staging a ground-breaking exhibition of interest to lovers of abstract art. Entitled Invisible: Art about the Unseen 1957-2012, it features 50 'works' conspicuous by their absence. In other words, invisible. They include Andy Warhol's famous empty plinth, a blank piece of paper supposedly stared at repeatedly over five years by Tom Friedman, a canvas of invisible ink and something called a 'hidden labyrinth'.
Members of the public are charged £8 to 'view' these priceless masterpieces in what the gallery describes as an experience 'to set our imaginations alight' with 'plenty to see and experience'. While presumably keeping a straight face, the Hayward's director, Ralph Rugoff, helpfully explained: 'Art isn't about material objects, it's about setting our imaginations alight' - thus overturning a definition enjoying universal acceptance for several thousand years.
My own imagination tells me that the moment gullible punters' backs are turned, staff at the gallery all fall about laughing. The following paragraph is my considered appraisal of the exhibition. It may appear a blank space to you but it is actually rich in hidden meaning. Use your imagination and some rather naughty and unprintable words may suggest themselves.
See what I mean!
