Multi-storey isometric slides, flying mushrooms, upside down goggles, roaming beds, and more – all accessed via opaque “Decision Corridors” – artist Carsten Höller brings a large scale interventionist good time to the Hayward Gallery with the promise of a delightful disorientating experience with his show, Decision on now through the summer before the gallery shuts its doors for a couple of years of renovation.
I loved having a run of the exhibition this morning at the press preview this morning. Even then though, the queues to try out some of the more novel instalations such as the Two Flying Machines (which “simulates flight” for gallery-goers willing to be harnessed to a contraption and be spun “high above the traffic of Waterloo Bridge”) suggested that once open to the public (tomorrow, Wednesday 10 June) the throngs of attendees might lessen the full effect of what’s on offer. Still, feeling your way through the dark to … well … all sorts of cool and kooky interactive things to play and consider should make up for any close quarter dealings with the masses.
And I reckon the opportunity to zip down one of the artist’s isometric slides is certainly worth the wait. I enjoyed the hell out of my fluming exit! For those of you who can remember Höller’s slides at Tate Modern a few years back, this experience is similar but outside (!) with fleeting glimpses of the Thames, London Eye and more to take in.
The only really pressing decision you need to make about this show is determining how soon you can get over there for your own go at Höller’s thought provoking fun.
Carston Höller: Decision runs from 10 June to 6 September at Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. At the end of this exhibition, the gallery will close for two years to undergo a major refurbishment. Find out more at carstenholler.southbankcentre.co.uk.
