Since 1998, Tate Britain has commissioned an artist to create and decorate their own Christmas tree to be displayed in the gallery’s neoclassical Rotunda. Artists are encouraged to use their creative abilities to produce a piece of art which
Since 1998, Tate Britain has commissioned an artist to create and decorate their own Christmas tree to be displayed in the gallery’s neoclassical Rotunda. Artists are encouraged to use their creative abilities to produce a piece of art which celebrates the essence of Christmas in often unusual and sometimes untraditional methods. This year, the commission was granted to Manchester-born Giorgio Sadotti, who has offered a conceptual piece which resists the custom of festive decoration and embellishment in favour of a simple Norweigan Spruce and a coiled bullwhip which rests at the bottom, waiting to be used. On the twelfth night of Christmas, the spirit of seasonal celebration will be 'driven out', with the whip. AnOther spoke to Sadotti and his work, entitled Flower Ssnake.
What's the concept behind Flower Ssnake?
The concept is to show objects that have potential and embrace the idea and the power behind not doing; resisting the compulsion to always do the same thing, in this instance dress the tree. Here, the tree and the whip have potential as they are not fully realised yet so for me they are very optimistic. The title of the work is a way of asking the viewer to imagine the situation to be slightly different to what it actually is — the combined objects are a tree and a whip, but it's a relatively simple step to jump to seeing a flower and a snake, especially once the potential of the whip is realised at the performance on the twelfth night.
Why did you move away from the decorative nature of Christmas in favour of a much more organic and simple tree?
To show the inherent beauty in the simple, the understated and natural. To embrace the power and beauty of nature. Although the tree is out of its natural surroundings, it can be handled with sensitivity and understanding, retaining some of its true character. For me, not draping it with tinsel was allowing this character to remain.
Did you have any influences behind the idea? Was there anything that inherently inspired you to produce this creation?
I am influenced by everything. I have always been more interested in the things between things, rather than the things themselves. I view this tree as being between its natural forest location and with potential to be dressed becoming a traditional Christmas tree.
You previously worked as a professional Christmas tree decorator – is this one of the reasons why you produced a bare tree, as almost a rebellion?
Not a rebellion at all. I have the professional abilities, skills even to dress the tree in a stunning and beautiful way but I stopped myself and took a step back in order to embrace the notion of doing something unique, by choosing not to do something that I am perfectly situated and suited to do; to dress a Christmas tree. For me this 'not doing' opens up all sorts of unexpected creative avenues. Of course the fact that I did work as a professional tree decorator can only enhance my denial as the power lies in the fact that you need to be able to do something in order to refuse to do it!
The performance seems to reference almost mythological or folk legend – to drive out the spirit of Christmas with a bullwhip. Is this intentional?
I do like the idea that it seems to reference folk tales of driving spirits away. I have worked with this particular whip cracker before and her actions are very elemental and animalistic, which does seem to have a deep history outside of itself.
It seems like such a violent act against the spirit of Christmas, would you agree?
I don't see any violence whatsoever. I see a calm, contemplative and serene attitude. Perhaps the actual act of violence is cutting down the tree then humiliating it by garishly burying it will visually violating material. As I said before, everything is intentional.
Have you seen any of the previous Tate trees? Do any stand out for you?
I have seen several of the previous Tate Christmas Trees and many of them standout, but not necessarily for the right reasons!
Flower Ssnake is on display until 5 January 2011 at Tate Britain. The performance will take place at 7pm on 5 January in the Rotunda.
Text by Felicity Shaw
