Installation Art has never been my bag.  I view it as a cop out – if you can’t draw – which doesn’t seem to be a prerequisite of an artist these days – then install.  And then write high fluting words about your creation with the greater the number of words corresponding to a sliding scale downwards of the final visual experience.  A 3D philosophy where the words come first, it costs loads of money and ultimately can’t fit in my house.

But every now and then I am proved wrong.

I was very fortunate to spend nearly three years living in Northern Italy, up in the lakes above Milan but below the Alps in the town of Varese: A truly magical part of the world.  The Husband and I lived on the top floor of a beautiful old villa where changing the light bulbs was always a challenge because the ceilings were so high.  In walking distance, close enough for a regular coffee stop, was one of my most favourite places ever, ever, ever: Villa Panza.

On the outside it was a typical villa of the region, built by a wealthy Milanese family as an escape from the heat of the summer.  The style, the terracotta roof, the pale yellow and the dark green shutters matched our villa.

And the interior, at first glance, fitted the traditional stereotype: Timeless elegance with grand baroque swirls.

Except it wasn’t.  Can you see the canvas on the left? Big, bold and modern?

The last owner, Guiseppe Panza was a true admirer of modern art and believed it worked in any setting.  In every room antiques sit side by side with the unexpected, all in perfect harmony.  I loved it.

The interior is a testament to the power of colour, but Guiseppe went further, he celebrated the power of light, he converted the stables to hold his amazing collection of light installations.  I first went there with a fair amount of trepidation.

It blew my mind away.

It was not just about what you were seeing, but how you reacted to it –  how your brain and senses reacted.  Stand in this room and do you know where the ceiling is? Is there is a ceiling? Where is the floor? Where is it now?

There was one room that was red.  You stayed in it till your eyes tuned it down to a pinky white (did you know your eyes could do this? I didn’t)  The next room you went to was green.  Except it wasn’t.  It was white – it was just your eyes were sending different messages to your brain based on their red experience and it took them time to catch up. Wild.  Every room was off a corridor.  And every time you walked further down the corridor, it changed.

Was it because of the new colours you were seeing? or was it because of what your brain was experiencing?  Bonkers. There were simpler installations..

Capturing the movement of shadows or simply showing that if framed, the sky is a continually changing canvas.

Villa Panza and her light installations still ranks as one of my top ‘wow’ moments.  It taught me that it is possible to use art to transform ones perceptions and expectations, to drag life outside the box and breathe fresh air.

At the moment, the Hayward Gallery on the Southbank is holding the ‘Light Show’.  I had to go – but my camera wouldn’t work so I only have this photo…

But if you possibly can, go see things that you know you can touch, except you can’t.  Walk into a space where colour replaces shadow or another where shadows stir your mind and make  you feel drunk.  Go find diamonds suspended in air and staircases with no-where to go.  Go and enjoy a thoroughly enjoyable art experience and walk the wild side of reality.  It’s not a beautiful villa in Italy – but it’s pretty damn good.  Promise.

Laters, Kate x