A4/Letter + What If?

Art Exhibitions

A4/Letter

A4 is a familiar paper size in the UK at 210mm x 297mm (8.3in x 11.7in). In the US the standard letter paper is 8.5in x 11in (215.9mm x 279.4mm). Like many points of comparison between the UK and the US it is similar, but different. In our respective countries we perceive of this size and shape as standard.

Definitions such as ‘large’ or ‘small’ are relative, but when discussing paper are often assumed to be in relation to an A4/Letter standard. Similarly, a square or circular piece of paper, or one that is excessively long in relation to its width, is seen as ‘unusual’. Yet seen together, A4 and Letter paper show their idiosyncrasies, revealing that ‘standard’ is an arbitrary construct.

Members of the public were invited to produce a piece of work using a ‘standard’ piece of paper (A4 if living in the UK and Letter if living in the US). Suggestions included drawings, paintings, prints and collages, as well as three dimensional or time-based (e.g. a film or sound work).

Participants were encouraged to challenge or highlight the impact, or ‘invisibility’, of a standard size, shape and medium. Or explore the nature of difference and relations between nations (particularly pertinent right now in both the US and UK). Or, to simply acknowledge the dimensions through the composition of the work.

Exhibited together, these works from the US and UK help to draw attention to the arbitrariness of the ‘standard’. It also implies how different perceptions from different parts of the world are constructed in part from the familiar things around us.

What If?

What If? is an exhibition of tests, experiements and resolved pieces by Fine Art students from University Centre Somerset.

Both A4/Letter and What If? run at the Red Brick Building from Wednesday 4th December 2019 – Sunday 2nd February 2020.

Open daily, 10am – 5pm

A4/Letter is a collaborative exhibition between University Centre Somerset (Taunton) and the University of Utah (Salt Lake City). The exhibition will move on to Salt Lake City after it finishes in Glastonbury.