CR Blog
Life Is A Laugh
Posted by Eliza Williams, 19 July 2007, 16:33 Permalink Comments (4)

Brian Griffiths' installation Life Is A Laugh, at Gloucester Road tube station
Gloucester Road Underground station in London has been colonised once again - this time by artist Brian Griffiths who has filled the disused platform with Life Is A Laugh, an epic installation which is part assault course, part giant panda head.
The artwork is the latest exhibition in the Gloucester Road Platform for Art programme, which presents four shows a year in the Underground space. Griffiths is known for his magical, absurdist work that in the past has included a super computer made from cardboard and other household materials and a galleon constructed in wooden furniture.
Installed over a two month period, working entirely at night when the station is closed, the Gloucester Road installation is perhaps a little harder to figure out. It is described by the Platform For Art website as being "a giant shelf-like home to abandoned detritus" and the work certainly contains an eclectic selection of items from the aforementioned panda head, and the side of a caravan, to the dangerously tempting assault course constructed with ladders and barrels. Undoubtedly it will provide much needed food for thought while waiting for the next train.
More info on Life Is A Laugh is on the Platform For Art website.
And here's the rather fine poster for Griffiths' show:
4 Comments
I saw this the last week when I was up for the New Designers. I couldn't quite figure out if the caravan was part of the installation or where the workers made their million cups of tea. I like it though.
2007-07-21 14:52:25
I realise there are space issues, but why can't there be more tube stations like Gloucester Road? The Chiho Aoshima exhibition was great, this one looks pretty cool too, but why limit this just to 1 platform at Gloucester Road?
I'm not suggesting that every platform, at tube station have artwork on it, but it would be nice to have a few more stations doing something interesting. It might lighten some people's moods, on an otherwise boring journey.
The current Antony Gormley exhibition on at the Hayward, provides an interesting spin on an otherwise everyday setting. It would be pretty cool if London transport did more of these sorts of projects.
Or not.
2007-07-24 14:48:29
Hi there,
I'm a big fan of the work you recently did at Gloucester Road tube station. I particularly like the advertising poster used for the campaign, it always brought a smile to my face! I'm wondering if there's anywhere I can purchase one of these posters, or indeed if you could email me a file and i could get it printed myself.
I look forward to a positive response.
Regards,
Stephen
2008-10-13 16:36:16
@stephen evans
Hi Stephen - maybe try the Fraser Muggeridge studio at http://www.pleasedonotbend.co.uk/
They designed the poster for Griffiths' show.
Mark
2008-10-13 16:48:05
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