a trip

ECSTACY
In and about Altered States
The Geffen Contemporary LA.

This is a big flamboyant show in true LA fashion. With an impressive roster of international artists it is a real treat. The works are split between representations of altered states as experienced by the artists themselves and simulated experiences as immersive environments. Just because of the sheer size and the trippy nature these tend to make the most impact and do transport you somewhere. Olafur Eliasson in Your strange certainty still kept combines drops of water and strobes to create a disorientating photographic illusion. Others choreograph with pulsating lights and rows and rows of LEDs to great effect. Carsten Holler plays it for laughs in his Upside Down Mushroom Room which is always a bit disconcerting especially as it seemed to appeal to a group of giggling high school students - too kid friendly for my tastes.

A few of the works in the show are a bit too obvious and high on production values like Sylve Fleury's twinkling outer space capsule. After being told I could sit inside by the attendant I really did feel like I was on a school trip. But Roxy Paine's field of miniature mushrooms, Tom Friedman's capsule arena and Fred Tomaselli's intricate collages are so wonderfully in your face they are a joy to behold.

As far as "asking us to expand on notions of reality" Pierre Huyghe's gorgeous Light Box did it; an ethereal, awe - inspiring miniature light show, fog and all. Caught by surprise almost by the very nature of the installation, I became in and of the moment and floated out the room...