Through dark tunnels, flying mushrooms and giant slides, Carsten Hollers new exhibition is set to turn the art world upside down.
Carsten Holler: Decision is the artists largest show in the UK to date. Immersing visitors in a series of experimental environments, Hollers interactive exhibition explores perception and decision making.
To enter the exhibition visitors must choose between two different entrances. Once inside the exhibition, visitors encounter a range of situations – including the invitation to consume a pill.
Over the past 20 years Holler has created devices, vehicles and situations that alter visitors physical and psychological states.
Holler was born in Brussels to German parents. He trained as a scientist before going into experimental art.
Ralph Rugoff, the director of the Hayward Gallery and curator of the exhibition, says Hollers focus and working material is the personal experience of the public, but his main focus is to entertain.
Holler says he is also an entertainer. And that he knows that people come to his exhibitions to be entertained. Unlike many people in the art world, he doesnt see entertainment as a bad thing –and I tend to agree with him. The question is: can you make entertainment thats thought-provoking and intelligent and takes you you somewhere else – hes trying to make unpredictable entertainment.
Carsten Holler: Decision runs at the Hayward Gallery from 10 June to 6 September.
