Katie Burson and Georgie Llewellyn are a pair of bananas taped to a wall. They are called "Banana Split" and they are one of a number of artworks by The Artist hanging in this art gallery. Others include a sculpture of two bumbags each attached to a cigarette called "Can I Bumbag a Smoke?" and "Concentrate", a large opened can of Campbell's tomato soup.
With the gallery closed, and the owner not in the room, the two bananas untape themselves and try to make sense of this world around them. Burson and Llewellyn shine with their clowning. Their physicality, movements, and characterisation are constantly surprising. Each moment builds on what came before, keeping the energy fresh and unpredictable. They are confident in their playful interactions with the audience, and the small improvisations and responses to audience reactions never falter.
Bronwyn Ensor is captivating as the human art gallery owner who is very serious about pushing art into the world - but for a profit of course. She walks with an air of authority and anyone should feel privileged that she would spend any of her time speaking to them.
The show is openly referencing Maurizio Cattelan's infamous ‘Comedian’, which subsequently invites the audience to consider the questions raised earlier in this review. Who decides what is post-post-post iconic fruit art? And how much value do we place on this? The audience is put to the test when a real life auction is conducted for the "Banana Split" and a t-shirt. By doing so, the audience has become part of the art world hierarchy themselves, a clever twist that makes us reflect on value and ownership.
The design elements in How To Art are wonderful. This show would not have been possible without the stunning works by props and object designer Tse-Yu Lin. They are genuine pieces of art that deserve to be in a gallery - the irony! Dan Colling's banana costumes allow the absurdity to be explored even more with a few surprises along the way.
How To Art is as much a meditation on the nature of art as it is a riotously funny clowning performance. It challenges our ideas of value, authority, and creativity - while never losing its playful heart. By turning the audience into participants, the show cleverly blurs the line between observer and gatekeeper, leaving us laughing, thinking, and maybe even reconsidering what really counts as “art.” Can a pair of bananas on a wall can change your perspective? This is one gallery visit you won’t forget.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: Trades Hall, Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton
Season: until 19 October | Wed - Sat 6pm, Sun 5pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: Full $32 | Concession $25 | Wednesday Hump Day $24
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival
Image credit: Leilani Heather
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