Lucas Blalock is known to use a photographic process that shares much with drawing: creating and erasing layers of visual information to build playful and intriguing compositions. His approach encompasses abstract and figurative imagery, and digital and analogue techniques. Blalock’s work creates connections with many strands of visual culture, from modern art and advertising, to personal snaps of everyday surroundings.
A statement from the artist about this image reads: No Vacancy is a photograph I made in California in 2012. There is no ‘evident’ computer work in the picture but I like the feeling that there might be. The phrase ‘No Vacancy’ seems to be referring as much to the image as to the motel. In this way it refutes a lot of my other work where I am interested in intervening in the space of the picture – making Photoshop act within this space, or on the objects pictured, instead of on the image.
This artwork featured as part of the Touchstone programme (2012-2020). Each display consisted of a single photographic work on the Eranda studio floor where visitors were invited to respond to the question 'What do you see?' using the cards and pencils provided. A bench was placed in front of the work, encouraging people to spend a little longer than they might usually. The programme was part of a wider series of projects and activities related to visual literacy.
A selection of audience responses to the question 'What do you see?'
Installation of No Vacancy © Kate Elliott
