The basic premise of Art Raid, classed as a live art show, is that the audience wanders around a small art gallery for about an hour, then at the end an alarm goes off and they all have a chance to 'steal' one of the pieces for themselves.

Most of the art is small stencils or altered photographs by artist Will St Leger, who also chairs the proceedings on the night. A uniformed 'security guard' also wanders about, eyeing up the attendees, along with several elegantly-clad usherettes.

Many of the pieces themselves have an anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-homophobic theme (such as Colonel Colonel Sanders with devil horns, US soldiers proclaiming love for each other, and an astronaut on the moon about to step on a landmine). Best of all is the outline of a pigeon saying 'I Hate Bread'.

Nobody is allowed to touch any of the pieces before the alarm goes off – a rule they appear to be serious about. However, such rules are like a red rag for many people - and sure enough, several gaps emerge on the wall before long. One couple, having made it outside with their haul, come back in holding it up high, to show everyone they have done it.

The main flaw with this quite original idea is that very little happens during the hour that would not happen at an ordinary gallery – minus the wine and cheese (the few bottles of beer run out in no time). For those who come with friends, this may be OK, but anyone on their own could find waiting for the 'alarm' somewhat of an ordeal.

Apart from the premature robbing of some pieces by the more enterprising attendees – which provides the most exciting moments for the bulk of the show, the only diversion for most of the hour is watching how some people stand close by certain pieces that they like for inordinate lengths of time, waiting to pounce at the end of the night.

When the alarm goes, there is a brief rush of excitement as everyone grabs something and piles through the narrow door and short stairs and through the short car park to the street outside. What had been described as a major challenge, however, is in reality quite easy – just one person is 'caught' by the security guard and that person's 'haul' is taken by someone else anyway. There is a certain satisfaction, however, in walking home with a new art piece to call your own.

With dozens of people attending at €15 (£10) per head, one cynic remarked after the show that 'it's a handy way of clearing your studio and getting paid for it'.

Much more could be done with what is a good concept. Perhaps there could be several chances to steal; stealing during the hour could be made part of the experience, with penalties for those caught; or some physical obstacles (such as trip-wires) could be put around the paintings.

Credits: Artist, Designer, Sound - Will St Leger. Security Guard / Usherettes / Invigilators - Fringe Volunteers. Producer - Will St Leger.

END

(c) Colman Higgins 2007

reviewed September 07 / The Hive

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008