13th May – 9th July 2011 at Newlyn Art Gallery
Down There Among The Roots features the sound recordings of BAFTA award-winning Chris Watson, and the site-specific clay installations of recent V & A artist-in-residence Phoebe Cummings.
Through the exhibition both artists investigate the passage of time in relation to specific geographical locations; revealing aural and visual elements that are often overlooked. The lower gallery space will be filled with the haunting sounds of Chris Watson’s recordings of wires and water, sounds which were captured by burying equipment below the ground and submerging hydrophones within the ocean. The room will be dark except for a spotlight illuminating Phoebe Cummings’ miniature landscape, intricately crafted by the artist from un-fired clay.
The upper gallery’s light, airy space has influenced the second of Phoebe’s specially commissioned pieces. This will be a large, clay installation comprised of exquisite small scenes and life-size fragments informed by details from the Cornish landscape, such as satellite dishes and palms. Alongside this will be Chris’ second piece, recorded in the air, which will create an immersive acoustic environment. The exhibition culminates in The Studio cafe which will be filled with telecommunication artefacts and books that shed light on some of the inspirations behind the work.
Co-curated by students from MA Curatorial Practice at University College Falmouth (UCF), this is the third year of a successful collaboration with Newlyn Art Gallery. As Blair Todd, Exhibitions Curator/Deputy Director at Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange says: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the MA Curatorial Practice course at UCF. This is the third year of tutoring, mentoring and assisting the students to realise a public exhibition at Newlyn Art Gallery. Down There Among The Roots proves again the commitment and ambition of both the course and the gallery to bring the best of national contemporary art to the region.”
Down There Among The Roots 13th May – 9th July 2011 Preview 12th May 7 – 9pm
Newlyn Art Gallery, New Road, Newlyn, Penzance TR18 5PZ
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm, Sunday: Closed Free Admission
