Weekend event brings arts residency to a close

James Beckett, Cécile B. Evans, Michael Dean, Rupert Norfolk and Seb Patane will all present new work and work in progress during an afternoon of screenings, presentations, performative talks and ‘in-conversations’ between Wysing’s curators and the artists.

The artists have lived and worked at Wysing’s Cambridgeshire centre for seven weeks, making new work in response to the theme, Convention T; a reference to logician, mathematician and philosopher Alfred Tarski who applied logic to sentence structure in order to make the truth visible through language.

The event on Saturday 9 November (2-6pm) will begin with a talk by theorist Aubrey de Grey, whose research has informed the work of Cécile B. Evans. De Grey, who co-founded the SENS Research Centre that has a lab in Cambridge, suggests that there are seven primary types of mitochondrial ageing that lead to human decay and death. He postulates that if these can be prevented, it is in theory possible to live to be 1,000 years of age.

Evans was led to De Grey’s work through her recent research into established values in culture and the ways in which we may subvert or view them differently. His talk will be followed by a Q & A session with De Grey, Evans and Wysing curator Kathy Noble.

Evans will also present her new 3D film The Brightness (2013), commissioned by Push Your Art for Palais de Tokyo, which she has been making whilst at Wysing. Evans’ film begins with an interview between herself and her namesake real-life phantom limb specialist Dr. Cécile B. Evans, which is then interrupted by an animated choreography of loose teeth.

The film continues Evans’ exploration of the place of emotion in society today, in particular addressing issues of loss. The Brightness was made possible through the support and commissioning of the Push Your Art Prize, Orange, and the Palais de Tokyo.

Writing, which is fundamental to the way Michael Dean makes art, will form the basis of his performative lecture. Dean always begins his works by jotting down texts and words, constantly accumulating different thoughts and ideas, which then form the starting point for many of his sculptures. Dean has used the time and space at Wysing to focus on his writing.

Seb Patane will be presenting soundworks he has produced while at Wysing. They include a series  of field recordings during runs and daily activities that are particular to the local space and a collaboration with Gustav Metzger.

Whilst Metzger was in residence himself at Wysing, Patane recorded him reading a passage from the book by the experimental German theatre director, and contemporary of Bertolt Brecht, Erwin Piscator.  Patane has been reading Piscator’s book The Political Theatre (1929) during his time at Wysing with the description Piscator wrote about his ill-fitting army uniform just before going to war, particularly striking him.

The correlation between Metzger’s own experiences as a German Jew who came to London as a child refugee in 1939, and Piscator’s later anti-military stance following being drafted into the army for the First World War, inspired Patane to ask Metzger if he would read the passage. The result is a haunting experience that will form the basis of future work for Patane.

Rupert Norfolk has been experimenting with different mediums in sculpture, drawing and video whilst in residency at Wysing. As a reflection of his ongoing artistic research he will present a new short video piece as a work in progress.

James Beckett has been researching the history of dentistry in relation to a future publication he is working on. In his talk, Beckett will trace the history of anaesthesia, interweaving the different methods used with the autobiography of the key figures working in this area. He will present a “museum” of the historical tools and materials, using examples kindly loaded by the Association of Anesthetists in London.

 


WYSING ARTS CENTRE is a working campus providing alternative environments and structures for artistic production, learning and knowledge exchange. Wysing’s large rural site near Cambridge comprises artists’ studios, education and new media facilities, a gallery and project spaces, a 17th century farmhouse and outdoor structures. Wysing offers a unique environment for art to be developed and presented; with an ongoing and innovative artistic programme of events, exhibitions, retreats and residencies; and a unique programme for young artists, Wysing is delivering a rich programme that is accessible on many levels to a range of people. Art developed at Wysing is shown at significant venues around the world, and Wysing is part of national networks including Plus Tate, Contemporary Visual Arts Network, and the Arts Council National Portfolio.

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Wysing Arts Centre, Fox Road, Bourn, Cambridge, CB23 2TX
www.wysingartscentre.org  tel 01954 718881

 
For further information, interviews and images please contact:
Matthew Gaw, External Relations Manager, Wysing Arts Centre
01954 717108 [email protected]
 


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