Chris Barr: Bureau of Workplace Interruptions
September 17 – 1 November, 2009
The Art Gallery of Mississauga, Toronto

Chris Barr, Bureau of Workplace Interruptions, installation. Image: mississauga.ca

This is a show in the grand tradition of conceptual art. It transforms the gallery space – itself fast becoming a tradition: see Phil Collins, Elmgreen & Dragset, Rirkrit Tiravanija and many others. Not only does it transform the gallery, it aims to transform the gallery-goer. The Bureau of Workplace Interruptions, by the American artist and designer Chris Barr, is exactly what it sounds like. If you go to the ‘office’ or gallery, or bureau, you can sign up for an interruption. You can also do it online HERE.

Who wouldn’t welcome an interruption in their workday?

Says the artist: “Our promise is to create interruptions that challenge the efficiency of our audience and the social and economic conditions of the modern workplace.”

Go on, do it! Click HERE

That’s the POINT of this exhibition. It’s only good if people participate.

Interruptions can come by mail, email, phone call or a random workplace visit.

The Bureau will determine the right interruption for you based on your occupation, work hours, and the means by which to contact you.

There’s also some videos by Chris Barr on view in the show. These works are created after instruction works or scores by conceptual artists largely from the 70s. The work pays homage to a historical lineage that forms the genesis of Barr’s artistic practice.

Artist talk: October 24th. Free.
In this “Mail Art” Workshop, Chris will discuss the idea behind his Networked Performance project as a form of art for social criticism, as well as conduct a discussion about the medium of mail art. Participants will then have a chance to contribute to the project by creating their own mail art.

Visit the gallery’s website HERE

More on Chris Barr’s work HERE.