Gallery guests become exhibit

The artist's work has caused outrage before

Dozens of art fans were furious when they turned up to a gallery to find it locked and encased in corrugated iron.

They had been invited to the launch of controversial Spanish artist Santiago Sierra's exhibition only to find they had become part of the exhibit.

The artist had used the stunt to make a political point, aiming to show how frustrating it is to turn up somewhere to find it closed due to economic reasons.

It seems the piece has got people talking, which is always a sign of good art

Gallery director

But the stunt did not go down well with the guests who were left to mill around outside, trying to contact friends on mobile phones to tell them not to bother to turn up.

The "exhibition" was held at a new branch of the Lisson Gallery in London.

Gallery director Nicholas Logsdail said he had a mixed reaction from guests, some of whom were angry at being locked out.

"Hundreds of people, including prominent figures from the art world, came last night no doubt expecting a lavish party to celebrate the opening of our new gallery.

"Instead they were forced into the uncomfortable position of being locked out and excluded.

"Today I've been inundated with calls from clients, friends and critics, some of whom are angry, some curious, and some congratulatory.

Outrage

"It seems the piece has got people talking, which is always a sign of good art."

Sierra has enjoyed the controversial spotlight on several occasions, most recently for an exhibition at a Birmingham gallery which used a video of men performing a sex act.

The exhibition sparked outrage because it used extremely explicit scenes which could be viewed by children.

Another project saw him tattooing the backs of drug addict prostitutes in exchange for the price of a hit of heroin.

A theme of Sierra's work is paying those involved the minimum wage to illustrate that everyone can be bought for a price.

Sierra's new work, Space Closed By Corrugated Metal, will stay intact until 10 October as part of the launch of the gallery in Bell Street.

A spokesman for the gallery said: "The interior of the new space will be revealed on October 16 when Sierra will be using the gallery for one of his controversial actions."