2016 Artist in Residence period at University of Hertfordshire was an interesting and stimulating time talking to xxxx. And creating an installation with 9000 meters of yarn.
R&A Collaborations filmed the installation and symposium, capturing the cross discilplinary contributors and what it was like to move around the installation and space.
Richard Davies took some thoughtful photographs of the installation.
This blog post covers exhibitions I have seen in January, those I want to see and update on new work that I am developing.
Exhibitions: January inspiration came from Chiharu Shiota installation at BlainSouthern Me Somewhere Else.
You can see videos on other websites of how she constructs her installations here at Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne and an interview on BlainSouthern’s website here (exhibition has now finished). Fascinating and very physical process of her installation work is revealed.
Behind Kings Cross station, was the Caroline Broadhead retrospective at Central St Martins Lethaby Gallery marking her retirement from Central Saint Martins. I was particularly taken by photographs of her performance work.
The beginning of the month I saw Francis Upritchard exhibition Wetwang Slack before it finished at The Curve, Barbican. It was an exhibition that demonstrated how her visual language can come through in a range of materials and techniques (ceramics, class, textiles etc) as part of her integration into museum and display language.
Art Practice: I continued my investigations into tapestry weaving. Like with elements of Annie Albers work, for me textiles can be a method to create art, as well as design and craft, and intend to do as I have done before – exploit its sculptural potential (see The Playing Frame, Indevelopment, Between Materials and Mechanisms).
I have been talking to academics and developing proposals around complexity and agency – keep your fingers crossed we get our funding!
I also went back into the dark room, which I haven’t done for years. This was very inspirational and look forward to getting back in there soon. Here is a sneak peak of what I’ve been doing:
To end January I gave a talk on my practice and some tutorials to students at University of Hertfordshire.
Reading: In preparation for the next New Materalism artist reading group*, we are reading The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben (William Collins).
Any exhibition suggestions or any good book suggestions for our artist reading group*? Please do contact me below or on Instagram or Twitter.
Exhibitions on my list to see:
Bill Viola/Michelangelo, Life Death Rebith, Royal Academy
Olafur Eliasson (summer) Tate Modern
Senga Nengudi, Henry Moore Studio and Gardens (until 17 Feb)
Grace Wales Bonner, Serpentine Sackler Gallery (until 16 Feb)
Artists Rooms (Touring) Louise Bourgeosis, Kettles Yard (until 24 March)
*In our reading group we focus on new materialisms which I will explain more in a future blog post.
It is Open Studios next weekend (16 and 17 June). An annual event with music, food, stalls and lots of artists opening their studios ‘some of the most vibrant and well attended arts events in London’
Come and see a taster for the next Laboratory of Dark Matters installation in July and chat about this project inspired by a mysterious area of science.
Also on show will be ceramic works (information below).
June Open Studios
Friday 6 – 9pm
Saturday 1- 7pm
C1-1 Bow Arts, 183 Bow Road, E3 2SJ
If you can’t make it, visit Sunday 18 June and Monday 19 June by appointment only, email info[at]elizabethmurton.co.uk to book.
Image: Connective Matter 2017
Photo: Sara Lynd
Created to conclude my time as Artist in Residence at University of Hertfordshire, these ceramic pieces in crank clay are formed by the yarn and knots from Between Materials and Mechanisms (2016).
This week I contributed to Cultures Combined: Art and Science at The Royal Institution, I spoke about the Laboratory of Dark Matters which following a Residency in London at Guest Projects, will be on show in Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum from 26 July – 2 September.
Thanks to Arts Council England for supporting Between Materials and Mechanisms, and Laboratory of Dark Matters
R&A Collaborations created a film of the installation and symposium as part of the Between Materials and Mechanisms project.
This short film captures the dynamics of the installation in the space, and the symposium activities such as movement and meditation.
This was made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England Grants for the Arts funding.
I am delighted to announce the keynote will be from Prof. Diana Coole, Birkbeck University of London.
The talk title will be:
How does one practise new materialism and what does the new materialism contribute to a critical theory. The example of dirt.
With Samantha Frost, Diana edited New Materialisms: ontology, agency and politics.
New materialism is increasingly being talked of, and resonanting with art practice, and other disciplines. This will be a great opportunity to find out more.
Please scroll down for the rest of the symposium programme.
The programme is coming together, more details are below. It is an opportunity to visit the exhibition and join us on Saturday 1st October to explore the themes that have informed the installation.
architecture – anatomy – materials
This symposium is an informal and varied space for learning, sharing and investigation.
All welcome, including artists, scientists and those working in related areas.
Book your place here on University of Hertfordshire website
Programme:
11.30 registration and tea/coffee
12:00 – 3.00pm Part 1:
– Introduction to the day
– Session on awareness and perception bringing us to the space, installation and our bodies. Leading this will be Tom Short, Associate Buddhist Chaplin at UH who’s interests include complexity and systems practice.
– Keynote – New Materialisms Philosophy
3.00 – 6.00pm Part 2:
-Afternoon tea
-A choice of 2 out of 3 sessions:
– Introduction to anatomy, including muscles and connective tissue with Karen Atkinson (Principal Lecturer – Professional Lead, Physiotherapy at Hertfordshire University)
– Dance/Movement: A session with Janine Harrington exploring the physical investigations within Materials and Mechanisms, drawing on improvisation scores, bodywork and anatomy and physiology (no previous experience necessary).
Janine is a choreographer, performer and writer. Commissions include Fondation Boghossian, Brighton Festival, South East Dance, Islington Borough Council/ Central St. Martins, Siobhan Davies Dance, The Hepworth Wakefield and Gi20. Janine has performed with Tino Sehgal since 2012 and has interpreted his works at Tate Modern, Venice Biennale, KIASMA, and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. www.janineharrington.com/
– Visual Arts: Artist Zoe Schoenherr will invite participants to explore the architecture of the building. Zoe will introduce ideas regarding touch and interaction and how architecture can be thought of as a seamless series of equipment. You will be invited to create a piece of work in the space with a range of different materials.
Zoe is a Fellow at City and Guilds School of Art, recipient of The Leverhulme Trust award for Artist-in-Residence at UCL Civil Engineering 2015. www. zoeschoenherr.co.uk
You are welcome to stay for the evening:
6.30-8.00pm Evening Reception: please stay and join us for a short artist talk, performance from Janine Harington and refreshments.
Details:
Time – 12-6pm, Saturday 1st October. Please arrive by 11.45am for a prompt start at 12 midday
Price – £5 ticket or £10 includes coach from London
Both include afternoon tea
Coach leaving from London, meet at Bow Arts for a 10.15am departure. (N.B. The coach will not wait for late comers and no food or drink is allowed on the coach). Coach leaves to return to London at 7.15pm.
Location of Symposium – Art and Design Gallery University of Hertfordshire (College Lane Campus), Hatfield AL10 9AB
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Elizabeth Murton and UH Arts reserve the right to change and alter this programme if necessary. Please check back to the blog for updates.
Right hand photocredit & copyright Sylvain Deleu
This event is made possibly through the support of Arts Council England, UH Galleries and the Contemporary Art Practice Research Group, School of Creative Arts.
It’s been a busy month testing ideas in the space, working in ceramics and having a photo shoot. Now invites are being printed and symposium is coming together. Here is some information about it, I am really looking forward to it and hope to see you there:
Between Materials and Mechanisms Symposium, Saturday 12 – 6pm, 1st October 2016
This symposium will take place in the context of Elizabeth Murton’s large installation. The installation explores how the structures of materials inside and outside the body can relate, with the architecture of the space as one of several starting points. For research, Murton has worked with a dancer, been in conversation with a physiotherapy lecturer and other scientists, and taken part in a New Materialisms reading group. During the installation, the artist will bring together this active research in ambitious physical form – as tangible as our own muscles, tendons and bones and this symposium provides a space for a less contained platform for further dialogue between peers and collaborators.
The symposium will include practical sessions that explore materials in practice through dance and visual arts, as well as anatomy lecture.
Programme
Introduction to the day
Session on awareness and perception– bringing us to the space, installation and our bodies. Leading this will be Tom Short, Associate Buddhist Chaplin at UH who’s interests include complexity and systems practice.
New Materialism – keynote philosophy lecture
Introduction to anatomy, including muscles and connective tissue with Karen Atkinson (Principal Lecturer – Professional Lead, Physiotherapy at Hertfordshire University)
Artist Zoe Schoenherr will invite participants to explore the architecture of the building. Zoe will introduce ideas regarding touch and interaction and how architecture can be thought of as a seamless series of equipment. You will be invited to create a piece of work in the space with a range of different materials. Zoe is a Fellow at City and Guilds School of Art, recipient of The Leverhulme Trust award for Artist-in-Residence at UCL Civil Engineering 2015. www. zoeschoenherr.co.uk
Afternoon tea and discussion
Close
This cross-disciplinary afternoon aims to bring together different elements that have influenced the installation; dance, visual arts, New Materialisms and the body. Inviting participants from across disciplines to make, learn and discuss the themes and think about your own work.
All welcome, including artist, scientists, physiotherapists… anyone who works/practices on related themes or areas.
To book, please contact University of Hertfordshire on 01707 285395 or email uharts@herts.ac.uk, or go to www.uharts.co.uk
Please arrive at 11.45 to register before a prompt start at 12 midday
Evening Drinks:
You are welcome to stay for the evening reception at 6.30pm, which will include a short artist talk and performance from dancer Janine Harington with refreshments.
*The Coach will leave Bow Arts, Bow Road (tbc) at 10.00am and leave University at 7.15pm.
Venue, Art and Design Gallery, Hatfield, University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB
Please check the University of Hertfordshire website for up to date information as details are subject to change.
Top photograph © Sylvain Deleu
