Takeaway is a term with multiple meanings. In its meaning as the title of Edwin Smith’s exhibition at the Bermuda College, he suggests it is about a feast where food is abundant enough that in the end, guests are provided with boxed or wrapped goodies to take away with them when they leave for home.

Maybe the show is about food and takeaway, except there is no food to take away. Sorry!

Another meaning of takeaway is what can be gleaned from a lecture or an event of some kind.

Then there are takeaway restaurants, where food of some kind is available to take away.

I understand Dr Smith is to retire shortly. It has crossed my mind that takeaway in this instance may be about what he will take away into his retirement.

In the introduction to the exhibition, the possibility of takeaway in retirement is suggested. Also since food as takeaway is often wrapped, Smith likens that to the wrapped art of Christo.

Now, about the Takeaway exhibition. In recent exhibitions Smith has in one way or another been dealing with ephemeral art. Indeed, there is an art movement called Ephemeral Art. It’s about art that is intentionally temporary.

In Smith’s case, his art has been materially so structured, that by its very nature, it must be temporary. I am thinking about his duct tape art. When created on a gallery wall, taking the art away requires the art’s destruction.

With the Bermuda College exhibition, the ground for his art is flattened cardboard boxes. The material used in making cardboard is so acidic, it will become brittle and self destruct. Cardboard is not designed to be durable.

So what is the purpose of making art that will not endure? Look at it this way. It may be about the temporality of life itself.

Also, we are inundated these days with art or artistic designs, as in advertising. These are necessarily temporary, thus ephemeral art may be seen as emulating the temporality of advertising or the fashion world.

The college art gallery is on the ground floor of North Hall, right next to the Art Department. You might have to ask for directions as the gallery is tucked away somewhat in a corner.

The exhibition runs through the end of March.