Richard Box @ The GRV

Edinburgh's newest contemporary arts and media centre, the GVR, is currently showing work by the Bristol-based artist Richard Box. Best known for his 2002 large scale light installation 'Field', this exhibition comprises of five individual works using light. The minimal white box of a room that housed the pieces is probably as far away as you could get from the open vista that was home to 'Field'. However, it provides the viewer with a full-on, no distractions encounter with Box's collection. I have to say, I would have been happy with a little distraction. My disappointment kicked in early. The first stop, 'Burger' 2007, was actually quite quirky – a polystyrene box in which sat a sesame bap enclosing a burger made of neon lights. By the time I arrived at 'microclimate' 2006, and pressed the 'PUSH' button on the wall expecting a fantastic surprise that would boost my mood, I was flatly met with nothing. The pink neon lights of '6 metre spool' did nothing to lift my disappointment. The purity of the space was perfect for each piece, the vivid neon lights punched out through the blank room, but this alone was not enough to fill in the gaps. I left feeling none the wiser and wholeheartedly disappointed.