I'm a sucker for any kind of installation that means I can climb, slide, or clamber across/over/under/through. I think this obsession started in 2004 when I went to see the KIutterkammer by John Bock at the ICA.
The gallery was transformed into this dodgy looking playground of plywood, plastic straw, scaffold and silver insulation material, joined by haphazard seeming crawlspaces and tunnels. Throughout this structure pieces of art by other artists were dotted, and happening upon them as you navigated your way around was really enjoyable.
It's also worth remembering how well Test Site by Karsten Holler was received when it was installed in the Turbine Hall. People lined up for ages to go down the slides, and it seemed to appeal to everyone- from little kids to city workers on their lunch breaks (who looked really amusing whizzing down the slides in their business attire). I do think that the fact that we are so used to art work requiring an element of participation now might lessen the impact of the reprised Morris piece, but I'm looking forward to seeing it anyway.
Also, on a topical note, topical because I am currently at my parents home in Bristol, and this is all over the local news- A piece of Banksy's Graffiti which has been on a wall in Stokes Croft for years:
Has been 'vandalised' (I can't believe I am saying a piece of graffiti has been VANDALISED. ) by a group calling themselves Appropriate Media. Now it looks like this:
Banksy is overhyped, especially in Bristol, which tries to use the connection as some magical art currency, however I think that this is a completely weak, incredibly boring reaction, dressed up as some big blow against the 'system' by people who are essentially, exactly what they hate. As a friend pointed out, all they do on their website is rehash a Charlie Brooker article to attempt to add legitimacy to their actions. I like the idea of interventionist art and 'if you don't like something, change it', but this is just weak. MUST TRY HARDER.
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