The Turner Prize-nominated artist’s latest work opens Friday at the Stephen Friedman Gallery in London, featuring four large piles of old rope. Together, they weigh approximately 10 tonnes and were transported on 60 pallets after months of collection.
The project aims to be fun, attracting giggles from passersby peeking through the gallery’s windows when AFP visited. “I decided to act upon the British saying, ‘money for old rope,’ meaning being paid for something of no value,” said Shrigley. He sought to create a literal representation of this phrase.
Over seven months, Shrigley and his team collected discarded ropes from fishermen, climbing centers, and docks across Britain before cleaning them at his studio in Brighton. “People are quite willing to give you old rope for nothing because it’s not recyclable,” he noted.
Installation at the gallery was simple; Shrigley said, “I didn’t really have a plan, I just kind of piled it up.” He made no aesthetic decisions, resulting in four roughly equal piles. While the price may seem “high,” he finds justification, stating, “By weight, it’s very good value.” He compares it to the exorbitant prices often seen in modern art.
Shrigley emphasizes that there’s no single meaning to the piece, asserting that art should ignite discussion and ideas. “I’m presenting something as art that has no value, perhaps with a bit of pathos,” he explained.He acknowledges the cynics but notes that his work invites open-ended dialogue. “It’s a proposition to have a discussion about it,” he said.
The exhibition is free to the public and runs until December 20. He added, “I would be surprised if anybody bought it, but it’s nice for people to come see it.” “If you’ve got a million pounds plus VAT, you could invest wisely,” Shrigley quipped.
Platform with AFP
