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The new era of artist talent brings with it a fabulous sofa expose!

For most of us the sofa is somewhere we can relax and be comfortable whether on our own or with our families. Very few of us regard our sofa as an art installation that should be viewed and admired by others. However Vanessa Renwick’s “House of Sound” gives a new perspective to the humble sofa. The exhibit is on show at the New American Art Union and features a sofa, love seat, small table with a record player and table lamps all grouped on an old fashioned shag carpet. The exhibit is wholly interactive, not through computers or visual impressions but by actually sitting on the sofa and interacting with the other parts of the exhibit, such as lighting tea lights or playing records on the old fashioned player. The interpretation of the exhibit is left to the viewer, but reviews of the work have been good.

In general sofas are the focal point of the main sitting room in any home, people relax, discuss, eat, play games, cuddle, watch television, listen to music from the comfort of the sofa. The decoration and other furnishings in a room are generally centred on the sofa. Sofas offer comfort and provide somewhere for the whole family to come together, many families have large comfortable sofas that can seat five or even six persons. Sofas have traditionally been a place of refuge for sick children, snuggling into a blanket on a sofa, watching television and getting cuddled by attentive parents.

Sofas come in different shapes, sizes, colours and fabrics, they can be used for relaxing or can be used in more formal settings to provide a focal point for the room. Renwick’s “House of Sound” perhaps makes us think whether the sofa is the focal point or the point from where to focus on other items or activities. It can be an object to be looked at or an object to be used, but it is always best when sitting on something comfortable.

Life is fast moving and we are all in a hurry doing things, often it is hard to find the time to sit back and spend time with our families or loved ones but perhaps a comfy sofa would provide the ideal setting and would encourage us to make an effort. Renwick’s exhibit provides an interesting and nostalgic reflection on life and how memories can be made but that time has to be taken to enjoy and to think about the things around us.

It might be useful to understand that SOFA is also an acronym and means Sculpture Objects and Functional Art, and the SOFA annual art exposition focuses on three dimensional works such as sculpture and decorative arts and design. When we are sitting on our sofa we should take the time to look around us and think about the art and objects around us. The sofa can be an inspirational place to create and enjoy on our own or with family, some time spent relaxing is good for everyone physically, emotionally and mentally.