Exhibition: 10 February – 24 March 2012, Monday-Sunday 12-5pm
Preview: Saturday 9 February 6-8pm.
Saturday 23 March 2-8pm. Day of performances and live works
The exhibition gives an insight not only into the ambitious work produced at Wysing but also the research, discussion and exchange of ideas that happens during residencies at its rural site outside Cambridge. Central to the exhibition is the idea that hidden systems and structures can be used to uncover meaning, narrative and paradox.
Relatively Absolute includes moving image and sound-based pieces - a new short, silent, single-screen monitor-based work by 2012 Turner Prize winner Elizabeth Price and a site-specific sound work composed by musician in residence Luke Abbott available to listen to whilst walking Wysing’s grounds. Sculptural works (many of which came out of work made in Wysing’s ceramics studio) include Emma Hart’s visceral forms that ‘spit out’ photographs and regurgitate ideas and two biomorphic bronze-glazed ceramics by Salvatore Arancio.
Nicolas Deshayes presents a new sculpture consisting of three steel framed tables with tops made from vacuum-formed yams, mirroring the tables of clay test pieces he produced whilst working at Wysing. Edwin Burdis’s table made from a painting of a fig is exhibited alongside a text-painting based on his recently composed opera performed at Wysing earlier this month. Two new works by Jonathan Baldock combine the tradition of abstract painting with ceramic forms presented on a boldly coloured surface.
Flora Parrott contributes a new shrine-like installation, whilst Stuart Whipps shows new prints of casting moulds produced in Mexico for large concrete structures. Jess Flood-Paddock’s inverted clavicle sculpture also takes casting from another new work as a starting point, and Philomene Pirecki’s has made an installation from photographs, and the photographs of photographs.
Text works also play an important part in the exhibition, with a new text by Ed Atkins produced as a small publication and a wall-based piece by Nilsson Pflugfelder. Patrick Coyle’s year-long residency culminates in a publication which, like the exhibition, uses oblique references as well as unusual literary perspective, to connect the influences, incidents and his own experience of all the artists, artworks and events that have taken place during his twelve months at Wysing.
The source material contributed by the artists remains unattributed, inviting the viewer to draw out their own conclusions about conversations and research that has gone on during the making of the work. It includes a diverse range of objects including a selection of Neolithic hand tools over 4000 years old, the unattributed and unpublished draft of a manuscript, a reproduction of a Henry Moore maquette, the complete works of Gilbert Sorrentino and a playable vinyl LP by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop from 1976.
Admission to the exhibition and performances is free. For further visitor information see www.wysingartscentre.org
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 Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2011 and 2015, we will invest £1.4 billion of public money from government and an estimated £1 billion from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk
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For further information, interviews and images please contact:
Lucy Wilson, External Relations Manager, Wysing Arts Centre
07787 854468 lucy.wilson@wysingartscentre.org
Wysing Arts Centre, Fox Road, nr Bourn, Cambridge, CB23 2TX
Public enquiries +44 (0)1954 718881
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'Relatively Absolute': new exhibition opens at Wysing
30 January 2013
A new exhibition opens at Wysing Arts Centre near Cambridge at the end of next week (February 10). Relatively Absolute is a group exhibition consisting of newly commissioned work, as well as the source material that has informed its making, by the 12 artists and the writer and musician who worked at Wysing Arts Centre during 2012 on its residency programme.