Dominic Maxwell
Win tickets to the ATP finals

Arthur Smith's satirical sally into the world of conceptual art won him a Spirit of the Fringe prize in the if.comedy Awards last year. This year the plexiglass trophy itself is the first exhibit you come across in the hall of the Georgian townhouse that he has filled with his Dadaist digs at sense and sensibilities. “If.comedy Award,” reads the caption. “£10 per 100 grams.”
If Arturart were just here to knock the likes of Tracey Emin, it would be a one-note joke - albeit a cute one. One room features a print of Warhol's Marilyn Monroe screenprint, with some words scrawled over it: “In the future everyone will be dead for 15 minutes.” Below it, there's a three-foot canvas that says, “Yeah, but let's see Damien Hirst do ten minutes down the Comedy Store.”
But like all the best parodies, this has an identity of its own. Arturart, one of the slogans posted around the building tells us, “is the rigorous application of the lackadaisical”. And much though Smith likes to depict himself as a bloke just having a laugh, there is a commitment to the art of comic surprise here that is touching in its deftness and detail. From the moustachioed security man patrolling the landings (played by Smith's old double-act partner Phil Nice) up to the world's most hazardous paddling pool on the third floor, this is laid out with the care of a real exhibition. But with a lot more gags.
Other comedians have pitched in. Simon Munnery has a whole room of “Munart”; Harry Hill, Stewart Lee and Tim Vine have all donated good work. The archive room, which features Smith's letters, household objects and drafts of chapters from his forthcoming autobiography, has a couple of exhibits from last year, such as Shappi Khorsandi's First Portrait of My Son - a pregnancy testing kit.
There are statements pinned up from other great visionaries: Nietzsche, Richard Madeley, a poem by Leonard Nimoy that Smith dubs “the second worst ever written”. But this is Smith's show, and he has an eye to match his imagination. One room is filled with nothing but Sindy dolls on a wire, arranged to look as if they are floating out of the window and towards heaven. It's silly. And actually rather beautiful.
Does it have a purpose? Well, there is a bit of comment on the surveillance society. “For your attention,” announced a prerecorded Smith on the Tannoy, “we can see what you're up to.” But Arturart works because it's not sneery, it's a prank sustained by skill and a wonderfully mordant wit: “Even Gloria Gaynor will not survive,” reads one notice.
In making nothing sacred, Smith has made something beautiful. Can they give him another Spirit of the Fringe award? Or would that bugger up the resale value of the first one?
Fringe box office: 0131-226 0000. www.arturart.com
Rapper-turned-comedian's sinister take on popular radio
Fuses tricks with comedy: and a hammer with his face
Canadian comic's turn as Helen Keller's fella
Former GP's perilous journey through comedy
A modern twist to a Shakespearean theme
How to pack lots of sketches into one minute
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports
We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?
Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
36-month car lease
on contract hire for
£359.99 plus VAT pm
12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09
The UK's leading alternative to showroom finance.
Finance packages tailored to your needs.
Minimum loan of £15,000
Car Insurance
£12,578 per annum
The Independent Housing Ombudsman
London
Competitive
Barclaycard
Not Specified
The Sheppard Trust
London
£80-95,000
Clay McGuire Executive Selection
Moments from Battersea Park.
For sale with Winkworth.
See your free Experian credit report beforehand
Book now & save over £100pp.
11 cool resorts, lowest prices... Early Booking offers 15 Nov.
20% off selected Azores holidays taken in October with Sunvil Discovery
Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com
World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club. Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.