Broken Homes- Andrew Mackenzie

"Broken Homes" is an article by Andrew Mackenzie critiquing Callum Morton's work Valhalla from the 2007 Venice Biennale. Mackenzie reveals that, contrary to the name, Valhalla isn't the mythological Nordic 'Hall of the Slain", rather a sculpture that reveals "A number of conceptual entry points and levels of meaning" bringing a complexity to the work as themes such as the war on terror - 9/11, and civil/ domestic unrest are brought to the forefront.

Mackenzie presents you with a variety of views as he takes you on a literary tour of the house, describing the visual connections of the sculpture to modern day war ruins in Afghanistan, the "splintered bones of the world trade centre", and a decapitated family home that shows years of neglect.

The building is a replica of Morton's family home that his father built decades earlier, now no longer in existence after being torn down. This event contributed to the themes of the sculpture as ruins, piles, demolition and collapse appear in Callum's work.Mackenzie refers to the sculpture as a theme park due to the size, lighting, and smoke installation, while displaying the mechanics of the work which appears as "an alienating Brechtian technique". This technique was used to shock the audience into reality, in Morton's case, revealing reality of the sculptures inner workings.

Mackenzie highlights the connections of public and political life and the social concern towards the home. He goes on to conclude that "Valhalla is not a heavenly hall, it is a monument to a home broken by time and the proclivities of real estate.. this work is one that asks questions and is not so smug as to pretend it knows the answers".