COLLABORATION- ERA JOURNAL EXHIBITION

Recently I exhibited my work in the Era Journal Exhibition at the Crypt Gallery on the 26-27th of February. The piece I exhibited was a recreation of my work for the group exhibition at gallery 46 for uni. The work explores tree conversation – titled ‘Conversations through leaves’. I wrote a short plaque for the exhibition along side the set I curated myself re-using all of the materials from the exhibition at gallery 46, making sure that I had no waste from either exhibition. After the take down for this one I returned everything back to the earth and those items which I could I have saved for set design in the future.

These are the words that I used for the plaque at both exhibitions –

‘A conversation through leaves’ emerged from previous work ‘Forever landscape’, which sonically situated the listener in the exact spot that I envisage my body to be buried. The project sparked my desire to understand what it means to be a tree – to retrace my steps, and de-centre the human. 

This installation embodies my quest. I start with the trees exterior: its leaves. They are a mouthpiece in constant conversation with the wind and any element in its presence.

The work intends to wild a traditionally un-wild space with the essence of the forests I have visited. Through foraged fallen leaves and surrounding objects, I bring the conversation to you. Listen to their chatter; reignite your deep ancestral connection to the living world. 

This was the declaration for me to the trees that I used at both exhibitions –

There curator for the show had seen my work at the exhibition in Gallery 46, soon after they found my contact details and asked if I wanted to be in the show, they also specifically asked for me to exhibit the same work. I initially intended on downsizing the whole work to be more accommodating for the other pieces, and I had also never been to the place before so I was completely unaware on what I would have space, light and plug wise. I also wanted to downsize to give myself a bit of an easier job, as when setting up for gallery 46 we were given multiple days where as for Era Journal we were only able to set up form 10am to 5pm. Luckily because it was the same set up I had already figured out how to put all of the pieces together and had a clear image of what it would look like where as for Gallery 46 it was more of a whim aesthetically.

It was really interesting to see how the work felt in a different space. Gallery 46 being the ‘white cube’ that it is, allowed the work to be more striking as the dirt and foliage was extremely unfamiliar to that space, whereas the earthy tones and ruggedness of the exposed wonky brick allowed the piece to settle in much easier. There was less of a distinct difference between forest and room.

For Era Journal I decided to not use a quadraphonic speaker system. This choice first came out of accessibility to the speakers and being able to transport them to the space. Luckily this decision turned out for the best as where the work was situated was where they had decided to set up the live events. This exhibition for me was all very last minuet. I had less than 2 weeks to prepare and not the same facilities that Gallery 46 provided. I had also spent so long on this project for uni purposes and other that I had given up all drive and enthusiasm around it.

The collaboration element for this exhibition was very relaxed. The curators were lovely and very willing to accommodate to the artist needs. Everyone had an amazing space that fit their work perfectly. The communication element was amazing and it was all round a lovely exhibition to have been a part of.

This was the set up plan that I sent to the curator or Era Journal. I initially intend to make the format of the structure half the size, enabling only one person to be able to stand within the work. When I got to the space I realised that they had given me infinite amount of room to create the structure, luckily I do set deign part time out of uni and the number 1 rule of thumb I have is always bring more, so I was able to create a much vaster set for Era Journal.

This is a Photograph from the exhibition at Gallery 46 for reference

This is the audio I used for the exhibition :