Steve McQueen's world
The man sitting next to me looks emotionally wrung out. 'This is very powerful,' he says. 'It takes your breath away.' He is talking about 7th November by Steve McQueen, one of two pieces that forms the opening show at the new Thomas Dane gallery.
7th November recounts the tragic events and consequences of one day, narrated by McQueen's cousin Marcus.
A single photograph of a man's head is projected on to a screen. A scar runs horizontally, as if his skull has been cut apart and then pieced back together. The image remains static throughout, your understanding of the events shifting as you listen to the unfolding testimony.
In Illuminier, McQueen is revealed by the blue light from a TV screen. The camera focuses on a bed into which McQueen climbs and watches TV. The scene blurs as the light brightens and darkens.
Covers become white, glimmering waves, McQueen an abstracted black blob.
It's like falling asleep with the TV on, shapes and sound infiltrating your dreams, awakening suddenly to blazing light and noise.
Illuminier is an unusual self-portrait, but 7th November is the main draw of this show. Challenging and disturbing, its powerful narrative stays with you.
Until May 15, Thomas Dane Gallery, 11 Duke Street SW1, Wed to Fri 11am to 6pm, Sat 11am to 4pm, free. Tel: 020 7925 2505. Tube: Piccadilly Circus
