Projection by David McDiarmid

of war. Gold Leaf, Marble and the
form of Pietra Dure are frequently
appropriated, but in a further
undermining of the megalomaniac’s
assumption of, or desire for, power,
McDiarmid does not always use
the precious original materials that
he appears to. Instead, he favours
manufactured marble and imitation
gold leaf - like Projection, when we
shift from the concept of the works to
their physical realisation, the artifice
within megalomania is illuminated.
McDiarmid, in part, takes on the
character of megalomanic when
he plays with the installation of his
work: he considers carefully the
environment in which his works are
presented and how his works can
respond to that environment. This, to
a great extent, is done to influence
his viewer. Of particular success in
this presentation of work is his piece
Accession, where if you want to view
the work, which you do, you have to
bend low, uncomfortably low. This little,
golden monument may be small, it may
have no real power over you, but you
have bowed before it and others will
too — how poignant.
Megalomania, specifically
embodied within and through
the triumphal arch, has been the
subject of David McDiarmid’s
research for the last three years.
His exhibition at Interview room11
stands as a first summation, or
retrospective, of his burgeoning
practice to date.
What next for McDiarmid? A
further exploration of and play
on ‘The Power of Art’ I am sure - and
hope.
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