Simon Callery’s new exhibition at Dover Castle raises the question
of ‘what is archaeology?’ It offers sideways on, a long sectional
slice of chalk rock, a ‘dip’ within which shards may be found. Such
installation works as Callery’s (which they undoubtedly are in genre)
raise welcome new issues of the definition of art, landscape and
materiality. Hopefully, these fruits of excavation will travel to
London and points north. Callery’s accompanying trays full of photographs
lend an air of authentic museology which, without subterfuge, sustain
the overall authenticity of the venture, and of the artist’s immediate
intentions.
