Embracing transformation at Artists Open House, 10/11/12 & 18/19 May 2024
I am thrilled to share my experience exhibiting at the Artists Open House 2024, part of the Dulwich Festival. Held at the historic Bell House, Dulwich, this exhibition provided a unique opportunity to explore the theme of "The Tipping Point" alongside over 40 talented artists.
Exhibiting at the Artists Open House 2024 was an incredibly rewarding experience. Bell House, with its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, served as the perfect backdrop for the exploration of "The Tipping Point." The interactions with fellow artists and viewers were inspiring, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
About "The Mantle of Change" Installation:
As an artist deeply engaged in the conversation between art and the environment, I find joy in creating site-specific works that respond directly to the unique characteristics of each space. "The Mantle of Change," my contribution to the exhibition, fostered a communal space for collective introspection and dialogue.
In the Lucas Room, curated by Monika Kita, I presented "The Mantle of Change," a mixed-media video installation. This work delves into the profound interplay between nature, humanity, and the relentless passage of time. Inspired by my recent journeys across the North Sea and the Perito Moreno Glacier, the installation invited viewers to reflect on the transformative power of nature and our capacity for adaptation.
Art has the power to ignite change, to inspire reflection, and to foster connections with the world around us.
"The Mantle of Change"
"The Mantle of Change" is an evocative site-specific installation that uses video footage, manipulated photographs, and carefully curated elements to create an immersive experience. The central video captured the mesmerising spectacle of sunlight dancing on the sea, serving as a metaphor for transformation and equilibrium. Strategic orientation and zooming techniques tantalizingly obscured and revealed the subject, infusing the viewer's experience with mystery and anticipation. The looping motion of the footage echoed the unsettling tipping points inherent in the cycle of change.
Complementing the visual narrative, warm LED lighting strips pulsed with a comforting glow reminiscent of crackling flames. Noise-cancelling headphones played a loop of crackling fire, inspired by anthropologist Christopher Lynn's study on the hypnotic effects of fire, enhancing the immersive quality and fostering a heightened connection with the artwork.
Integral to the installation were elements sourced from the Perito Moreno Glacier. Rocks from the glacier's moraine and floral arrangements inspired by my botanical artistry added texture and depth to the space. A photograph of the glacier, inverted to resemble a pool of lava and volcanic rock, served as a striking visual reminder of the dramatic impacts of climate change.
Thank you to everyone who visited and engaged with my work. I hope "The Mantle of Change" sparked a sense of wonder and contemplation, inviting each viewer to embrace the sublime art of awareness and the urgent call for environmental stewardship.
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