I’ve been pretty good about making it through the million and a half art institutions in London, but Artangel complicates the tourist experience by actively rejecting the solitary art edifice.  You can only play coy for so long though, Artangel; I have you in my cross-hairs.

Only previously familiar with their film THE ARBOR, which utilizes actors to perform and reenact true testimonials, I was blown away by the diversity of their other projects. Two current projects capture the distinct spirit of the group: “A Room for London”, and Ryan Gardner’s “Locked Room Scenario”.

“A Room for London” blends contemporary art with the modern hotel experience to create an interactive experience I can only hope to one day experience (*cough*xmaspresent*cough*). 

Ryan Gardner’s “Locked Room Scenario” actively invites viewers to find the art within the installation through found evidence and curatorial clues.

What I like most about these two projects is their ability to prompt visitors to ask “Is this Art?” not weighted with skepticism but in a way that makes them reevaluate how they’ve defined art before and how they’ll continue to in the future.