Denis Masi - Arena 1976 - 1984
6 x 4.25 x 1.85 m
A freestanding construction / sculpture – with own light and sound systems.

Twelve painted mild steel frames with chrome plated studs, twelve pieces of black felt, twelve sheets of mirror, twenty-two stuffed rats placed as eleven pairs, two mummified rats, two tape decks, two compatible amps, two tape loops of vari-speeded sound, four auratone speakers, eleven red PAR 38 spotlights on a timed chase and one clear PAR 38 spotlight on a time chase.

List Description:
  • 22 hooded rats
  • 1 skeleton rat
  • 1 mummified rat
  • 11 red and one clear PAR 38 spots lights on time chase
  • 12 pieces of black felt
  • 12 sheets of silver mirror
  • 12 black painted mild steel frames with chrome studs
  • 2 tape decks and 2 amps
  • 4 speakers
  • 2 tape loop of vari-speeded sound with wind, rain, drum, voices and whispers….*
  • atmosphere in immediate area of construction invested with pungent odour

Exhibition provenance / history:

• Lewis Johnstone Gallery, London 1982 (two studies exhibited)
• Chelsea School of Art, London 1982 (first state of this work – incomplete)
• Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol, 1984
• Third Eye Centre, Glasgow, 1985