Contemporary art
(Not) going for gold
By The Art Newspaper. From In The Frame
Published online: 18 July 2012
Gallery of Losers (Non-performers, almost-winners, under-achievers, almost-made-its), 2012, Sarnath Banerjee
Everyone (sort of) loves a loser which is why Indian artist Sarnath Banerjee's billboards dotted around east London make such an impression on the eve of the Olympics. Banerjee's graphic illustrations, one of six new public art projects produced by Frieze Foundation entitled Frieze Projects East, depict sporting failures: "almost-winners, under-achievers, almost-made-its", according to the artist. (It's not taking part but the losing that counts after all.) Artists Anthea Hamilton and Nicholas Byrne have, meanwhile, filled the now defunct, delightful art deco Poplar Baths in Tower Hamlets with cheeky inflatable sculptures, including a gargantuan rendition of 1990s UK pop songstress Betty Boo. Frieze Projects East has been commissioned by Create, an organisation that presents east London-based arts projects, and the London 2012 Festival.
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