Influenced somewhat by a diluted understanding of Buddhist philosophy, Daniel Goodwin is interested in the perception of reality and the flaws of a perception hindered by the uninhibited murmurings of the mind.
The situation that the work enforces is an attempt to silence the mind with the use of physically demanding actions, encouraging a clear understanding.
The work comprises of two parts, the sculptural object, that is the situation, and the event, represented through video… holding a concrete weight underneath a bucket of water that is held up by a large steel structure, the artist drops the weight due to fatigue, in dropping the weight he cuts the rope that holds the bucket, releasing water onto himself.
The physicality of the work recalls the work of the Dutch artist Bas Jan Ader, who often presented videos showing himself falling, using gravity as a medium.
Within Daniel Goodwin’s practice there lies an inconsistency, somewhere in-between the initial idea and the physical act, a knowingly hypocritical plunge into thought (of the mind and opposed to the physical). The inclination towards a physical justification of things is hindered by the design of such situations, which is conducted in a mostly mental arena.
The foundations for this work are trembling and underdeveloped. The diluted understanding of Buddhist philosophy, which this work is built upon, cannot support the complexities of the completed structure.
Farcical from the beginning, hypocritical in its development and absurd in the final act; drenching yourself in water to learn a lesson?
In this absurdity the work finds reference in the work of Andreas Slominski. He often employs a wry sense of wit in his work, which is usually based on problematic ideas; mocking the usual way of doing things he often chooses a more awkward route. In doing this he places emphasis on the process and creates a curious fascination about his practice.
Daniel Goodwin’s work revels in absurdity although the artist remains deadpan, increasing the opportunity for humour and revealing a genuine interest in the work.
