Residency at former Bally Factory
Photographs, digital slide show projection, video, drawings
A series of works which explore Manuel Castells’ ideas of the spatial divisions of labour. Delineations of power, communication and work activity remain present in the former manufacturing facility now re-invented temporarily as artists’ studios. Occupying a former office in this factory the space operates as not only a place of production but also as a residency in its own right.
Left to Right:
Supervisor 2009, Earn your stripes 2009, On the level 2009, Clean hands only 2008
digital photographs (150cm x 100cm)
Site Specific projection in office space in former Bally Factory 2009 Installation view showing Banister (dimensions variable)
Residency Space 4 Gallery, Peterborough
Photographs, text
Everyday Obsolescence explores an abandoned computer monitor *SG6383XW7Q6*. Once exuding perfection and high design the monitor screen was unable to sustain these modernist qualities. Digital processes capture the surfaces now corrupted by the traces of human activity and storage. The images are reminiscent of crystals, butterfly iridescence, growing plant material or active Petri dishes. On opening, the inner workings are revealed offering evidence of human activity. Within this manufactured object the signs of the maker or perhaps more appropriately the assembler were limited, however the presence of the hand was still visible and intriguing.
Left to Right
Monitor Maker (2007) digital photograph (100cm x 66cm)
Enhanced Monitor Series (2007) digital photographs (30cm x 20cm)
Residency at Fielder Cruse Associates Architects and Interior Designers, Norwich
Worksheet drawings, objects and video stills
This four week research, observation and production residency was based in an architecture practice.
Opportunities to undertake historical and contextual reading related to a number of work spaces including call centres, factories and offices allowed key characteristics to be identified and compared to this residency environment.
During the residency architectural processes were mapped and discussed with the partners revealing the ways in which they use office space. Research, discussions and observations informed 54 pages of hand drawn worksheets which included diagrams, text and drawings. Obsolete technological storage devices were disassembled and re- assembled in their component groupings to create a series of sculptural works. These objects were further used in a series of video stills which explored the concept of the progressive hybridisation of the body.
Left to Right
Component 2006 carbon on paper (30cm x 41cm)
USB Hybrid 2006 carbon on paper (30cm x 41 cm)
Inception to Completion Word doc. 2006 drawing (21cm x 30cm)
Floppy 2006 (detail) found objects (16cm x 10cm x 12cm)
Progressive hybridisation of the body 2006 video stills (30cm x 42cm)
Everyday Obsolescence and Spatial Divisions were produced as part of Working Practices (2007 – 2009) a self initiated project supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England, Norfolk County Council Arts project Fund, Sir Phillip Reckitt Educational Trust, Commissions East and the former Space 4 Gallery in Peterborough Museum.
Sites of production was supported by the partners and team at Fielder Cruse Associates.