Project Room: Geoff Kleem – Industrial Division

About the exhibition
This solo exhibition by Sydney artist Geoff Kleem explored theme of the obsolescence and the shifting relationship between the museum and the factory, as well as between sculpture and design.

Kleem was previously known for his large-scale photographs of derelict sites and industrial ruins, while the exhibition marked the artist’s shift towards sculpture, presenting objects that resemble hybrids of industrial equipment, domestic furniture and minimalist art. Among them: a set of low concrete perforated with drainage pipes steps on wheels; a portable lightbox reminiscent of a mobile television set; and plastic-wrapped angle-iron shelving units. Easily movable, these works seem to have temporarily taken up residence in the gallery as dysfunctional furniture.

Kleem used design software to combine templates and conceptual ideas, paying close attention to scale before providing tradespeople with detailed fabrication instructions. While the sculptural materials—industrial concrete, PVC piping, trolley frameworks, castors and plastic sheeting—suggest utility, the final objects are carefully staged for the museum environment.

Acknowledgement
Project Room was a series of annual exhibitions held in the Russell Drysdale Gallery at the Monash University Gallery that began in 1995. It was intended to provide selected artists with the opportunity to exhibit new or recent work conceived for the space and realised in collaboration with the gallery staff.

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^{Image: Illustration from catalogue title page by Geoff Kleem 1997 (untitled)}