Racheal Crowther's Provocative Installation at Chisenhale Gallery

Racheal Crowther's first institutional exhibition at Chisenhale Gallery presents a complex interplay between aesthetics and the military-industrial complex. The installation features a large army mobile health unit, originally used by British forces, set against a backdrop of soft pastel tones. This juxtaposition creates a dissonance between the gentle appearance of the gallery and the harsh realities associated with military healthcare. The installation invites visitors to navigate through the health unit, evoking a sense of being processed by the state, as they encounter chemical warnings and medical diagrams that hint at its former military purpose.

The Guardian

A distinctive aspect of Crowther's installation is its olfactory component, which shifts from a sweet, buttery scent to the overpowering smell of rubber within the health unit. This sensory experience is designed to provoke thought about the duality of care and exploitation inherent in military healthcare. The scent is crafted from substances linked to powdered milk production, symbolizing life-saving sustenance while simultaneously evoking a sense of unease. The use of Baker-Miller pink, a color historically employed in jails to calm aggression, further complicates the viewer's emotional response.

The Guardian

Crowther's work raises critical questions about the nature of health and care in a state-controlled context. The installation challenges visitors to consider whose interests are served when health is managed by the military or corporations. It explores the tension between nurturing and manipulation, prompting reflections on the implications of being cared for by entities that may prioritize control over genuine well-being. The inclusion of hexadecanal, a compound found on human skin that influences aggression, adds another layer to this exploration, suggesting a biochemical manipulation of human emotions.

The Guardian

While Crowther's installation has been praised for its innovative approach to conceptual art, some critics argue that the sensory overload may detract from the intended message. They contend that the intense olfactory experience could overshadow the nuanced commentary on military healthcare and state control, potentially alienating some viewers rather than engaging them in critical discourse.

The Guardian

Crowther has articulated her intent to use color and scent as tools for psychological manipulation, questioning the ethics of industrialized health care. She emphasizes the importance of examining how these basic human experiences can be co-opted for state purposes, urging viewers to reflect on their own relationships with health and authority.

The Guardian

• “This whole show is Crowther imagining colour and scent as a psyop, exploring how these basic aspects of human life – light and odour – can be industrialised, militarised and used against us.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

• “You walk through the space being torn between ideas of care and exploitation.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

Racheal Crowther's installation at Chisenhale Gallery serves as a provocative commentary on the intersections of health, state control, and the military-industrial complex, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of care and exploitation in contemporary society.

The Guardian