Media release: Lynette Wallworth – Evolution of Fearlessness. Click For Infos.
MEDIA RELEASE | MAY 2008
Lynette Wallworth – Evolution of Fearlessness
Théâtre de l’Archevêché, Festival International Art Lyrique, Aix–en–Provence
27 June – 23 July 2008
Exhibition produced by Forma
Gesture is central to the work of contemporary artist Lynette Wallworth; in the delicate bowls held to catch glimpses of the exquisite beauty and fragility of the natural world to the slow, considered movements of women with profoundly moving histories. The viewer is catalyst to the work, their response completing both a physical as well as emotional connection. Three of Wallworth’s video installation works – Evolution of Fearlessness, Hold: Vessel 1 & 2 and Invisible by Night – are the centrepiece of the 60th Festival International Art Lyrique in Aix–en–Provence during June and July and mark the artist’s first solo show in France.
A hand pressed against a long glass panel invokes Evolution of Fearlessness (2006), a series of projections of life–size women who have fled war, abduction, rape and murder to make new lives for themselves in Australia. Their stories are not spoken but can be read by the viewer before their hand on the glass brings the women on the other side to life. Invisible by Night (2004) depicts a grief stricken woman whose face is slowly revealed as she wipes away the condensation on a glass panel before turning to walk away. Again, the viewer’s hand is held up to the glass, creating a momentary emotional connection. The work was made for the Melbourne Festival in response to the history of the site of the city’s first morgue. In Hold: Vessel 1 & 2 (2001 & 2007) the viewer stands in a darkened space holding a wide glass bowl in which they ‘catch’ and carry projections showing the shimmering ethereal luminescence of marine life and the slow astronomic phenomena of solar eclipses and the Transit of Venus. The projections – made over six years – reveal the human impacts on fragile underwater ecosystems and the strong survival instincts of marine species. They also, more subtly refer to centuries old ideas of global scientific co–operation.
In the realisation of her works, Wallworth collaborates deeply at every level: with her subjects, with scientific and technological specialists, and with the viewer. She is fascinated by the interconnectedness of the planet, by the human relationship to knowledge and how technology can alter perceptions of reality. Her practice spans video installation, photography and film and she has exhibited in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In 2008, as well as the Festival International Art Lyrique, Aix–en–Provence, Wallworth will be presenting her work at the Mostly Mozart Festival at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, New York (31 July – 17 August).
For further information please contact:
Janette Scott, Media Consultant janettescottartspr@yahoo.co.uk
or Hannah Barnes at Forma on +44 (0)20… or hb@forma.org.uk
Notes to Editors
60th Festival International Art Lyrique, Aix–en–Provence, the internationally renowned opera and performing arts festival re–launches its visual arts programme after an absence of many years with a solo exhibition of Lynette Wallworth’s work. The work will be shown alongside groundbreaking new productions: Peter Sellar’s production of Zaide contrasts the acclaimed director’s views on Mozart with those of Iranian film director and artist Abbas Kiarostami who directs his debut opera, Cosi Fan Tutte. Forming part of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, this year’s programme specifically explores cultural meetings, comparisons and fusions that are increasingly present within our lives, shifting borders and changing reference points. www.festival-aix.com
Forma is one of Europe’s leading production agencies for high quality, interdisciplinary contemporary art. Collaborating with some of today’s most interesting artists, it produces, tours and publishes groundbreaking new projects that seamlessly combine diverse media including new hybrid forms of music, visual art, film, new media, dance and live art. Recent projects include collaborations with Antony and the Johnsons/Charles Atlas (Turning: Barbican, London, Romaeuropa Festival, Rome and others, 2007), Charles Atlas/Fennesz (Optronica Festival, BFI, London, Centre Pompidou, Paris and others, 2007), Carsten Nicolai/Ryuichi Sakamoto (insen: European, Asia and Australia tours, 2005 & 2006), Lone Twin (Town Crying, various locations north–east England, 2007)and Beck’s Fusions (ICA, London, 2007). Forma also represent the work of Ryoji Ikeda, Lynette Wallworth and Gina Czarnecki.
Forma is supported by Arts Council England www.forma.org.uk
Evolution of Fearlessness, the exhibition, is produced by Forma. The work Evolution of Fearlessness was commissioned by New Crowned Hope Festival in 2006 and Invisible by Night was commissioned by Experimenta, 2004. Hold: Vessel 1 is courtesy of and commissioned by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, 2001, and Hold: Vessel 2 was commissioned by the British Film Institute in 2007.
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