Archive quality print, 16″ x 16″
Part of a group exhibition in Exeter University Forum
11-18 June 2017
“Green|Blue: Exe” is now showing in “The Observatory: perspectives on landscape, society and spirit”. It’s on in Exeter University Forum until Sunday 18th June, and open 10am-5pm each day.
The exhibition is a collection of artistic responses to the key research themes of the University of Exeter. Artists from across the south west were invited to submit works that respond to the idea of ‘observatory’ as a channel for exploring a certain type of vision, investigation or view.
The view from above has become normalised. Satellite observations, Google Maps, OS Maps, and city centre plans give the impression of omniscience and omnipotence. “Green|Blue” is a series of 21 black & white images of ‘trees’, derived from Environment Agency data of land at risk of flooding from rivers, taking 21 catchments around the South coast from the Sussex Ouse to the Bristol Avon and orienting the image so the ‘tree’ is upright. The very notion of ‘flood risk’ calls both our knowledge and power into question in the face of uncertainty and the force of nature. What seems to be the most solid and robust is in reality the most fragile and vulnerable. Changing the perspective, looking slant, confers a new understanding and humility.
There is some other wonderful work on show, from Amy McCarthy’s stained glass piece “A World Without”, depicting members of her family fleeing Nazi Germany on the SS St Louis in May 1939, to Julia Hutton’s “BURNING LIGHT, The Passing Day (Morning)”, a burnt line drawing which emerged through a combined process of direct observation and research with the Met Office.
Organiser Katya Romankevich has done a great job, not least on publicity and press coverage. The Observatory has featured on ITV West Country News and BBC Radio Devon.
And I was delighted to sell my print! #reddot
