At first glance Leeza Meksin’s installation ‘Splayed Rack’ (2008) looks as though it is a number of separate, individual pieces. On closer examination, however, it is one related structure documented from different angles and in different light conditions. My favourite angle is of it snaking along the parapet in what appears to be early morning. I think of spandex as pliant, stretchy. Utilatrian. Dance and sportswear. Here it is immobile, fixed, weighed down with stones, wired. The choice of metallic spandex is a good one too. Its metal surfaces no doubt soft to the touch. I’m not quite sure, possibly it is rigid too. I can’t imagine these pieces flying off the roof. To me they are a kind of trampoline or safety net that does not function. Cannot function.
Leeza Meksin (2008) 'Splayed Rack' installation
In other visual work Leeza Meksin uses acrylic paint, corrugated plastic, dyes and enamels to good effect. I am all in favour of her varied use of contrasting materials so possibly we have some common ground. I’m drawn to work like this time and time again. Constructed, robust, ordered. So different from my own somewhat ephemeral pieces. Leeza’s work is shown on culturehall an artist resource site I mentioned earlier in my blog. The exhibition space is curated every two weeks by other artist members. Egalitarian!
