SHMIKEA
performance, installation
2008
SHMIKEA was a collaborative project where ten artists worked together to design, construct and perform the opening of a temporary retail store. SHMIKEA was designed to mimic Ikea stores with an artistic twist that brought to attention the absurdity of certain consumer products on the market. Each artist took on both the role of a SHMIKEA designer and a SHMIKEA salesman, handcrafting products for sale as well as selling the products on opening night. SHMIKEA products are exaggerated references to bizarre Ikea products and their obscure Swedish names. They exist on sale as unnecessary or ridiculous “home wares”. The nature of the art show as both a performance and a functional store allowed viewers to participate by buying products as collectable art items or souvenirs of the experience. The show was held at the Frame gallery in Pittsburgh.
Collaborators:
Keila Boyles, Carolyn Clayton, Eve Dan, Claudia Jowitt, David Lasky,
Audrey Moyer, Ahilaplapa Rands, Paul Rouphail, Stephanie Syjuco, David Wright
