Gu Dexin’s installation of thousands of bananas is certainly the most talked about art work at this year’s Abu Dhabi Art. Bold, provocative and more than a little interactive – visitors are encouraged to peel and eat the bananas – it is one of those works that encourages people who might not otherwise have done so to attend the exhibition.
That’s a positive thing, even if Gu’s work is one of the more abstract of those on display at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Art is both complex and simple: simple because anyone can have a reaction to a beautiful painting or appreciate a delicate sculpture. Complex because often there are references in the artwork that may take time and understanding to appreciate.
Anything that serves to get novices started is a positive thing. Many will take their first steps viewing art in a gallery by bending down, peeling a banana and eating it. When they stand up, they may have a whole new appreciation for the industry.
