Andrew Mackenzie – Broken Homes

In the article “Broken Homes,” Andrew Mackenzie discusses various concepts about Callum Morton’s project Valhalla which was exhibited in the 2007 Venice Biennale. Mackenzie begins by comparing Valhalla to some of Morton’s other work, and discusses how his ideas have progressed. He moves on to describe the artwork as a battlefield, which alludes to the modern day ruins of Afghanistan. However the artwork is influenced by the destruction of his childhood home. Thus in architectural terms the house is a “story of broken homes.”
The artwork was built as a “burnt out, scarred and maimed shell,” however as you enter the house it ‘transition(s)’ into a “cool white spotless interior.” The sheer size of the work forces the audience to engage with the house, thus alluding “to the tension between public and private life.”
I found this article interesting and extremely well written. I enjoyed reading it and I, not knowing much about the artist, learnt a lot about the concepts and ideas behind Morton’s practice and his work Valhalla. I also like the name of the artwork, and found it to be really appropriate to the notions behind the work.