NEW ACQUISITION – DAN FLAVIN

Once again Wilson is trying to maintain the Cultural Life of Uckfield without putting you at risk from Covid-19 by having me take a photo of his latest acquisition.

Wilson was almost beside himself with excitement as he helped me carry my camera and tripod to the Vermilingua Contemporary Gallery.

'It's a Dan Flavin!' he told me breathlessly, 'You're going to love it! I mean really LOVE it!'

I'm quite familiar with Wilson expecting me to love something about which I'm actually quite indifferent, but I tried to keep an open mind, and after handing over my admission fee I entered the gallery space where the first thing I saw was a fluorescent light fitting leaning against the wall.

'That's nice!' I remarked, 'You're putting in some new lighting – it looks a lot brighter now which means it will be easier to take this photo! Now, where is this famous Dan Flavin work?'

To give him his due, Wilson did look a bit embarrassed as he explained, 'This is it – you're looking at it.'

'It's a fluorescent light!' I said.

'No flies on you, New Dad!' he replied, adding, 'Fluorescent Lights were Dan Flavin's Medium – his Palette, if you will. This piece is "The Diagonal of May 25, 1963"'

'Just out of curiosity,' I asked, 'where did you get it from?'

'City Electrical Factors in the village,' he replied, 'They assured me that Mr Flavin – or Dan as they know him – is always in and out buying lights just like this!'