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31/1/2005

Urbanbodies

The Brick Lane Gallery, London

URBAN:
oppidan / metropolitan / municipal.

BODIES:
individual / substance/ solidity/ corpse/ relics.

CURATED BY SUE COHEN

127 Brick Lane, previously an empty shop premises, is the venue for this new exhibition which brings together 16 contemporary artists using a wide range of medias and subjects with the common aim to explore the use of light.
The empty shop premises were chosen for its direct link with the community, local history and the ghosts of the past that inhabit its recesses. The venue transports the notion of sharing a space that is still in the throws of transition. The identity of its previous use, that of a taxi cab office and a factory have disappeared but the sensations that are left behind enable the passer-by to communicate on a personal level. The viewer is drawn in, compelled to look through the window at the virtuosity that questions the notions of society.
Each month 5 artists will transform the space respectively. They will investigate the luminosity of an artificial light source, which combined with references to the urban environment transforms the empty shop space with radiant energy stimulating the viewer’s visual perception.
Social factors are investigated within the parameters of personal history, stories, religion, politics, race, gender, nature, and current affairs. Individually artists have questioned our perceptions of the cultural agendas that capture and imprison the use of autonomy.

1st Feb- 26th Feb
Maslen & Mehra, Raimi Gbadamosi, Sue Cohen, Marc Newton, Jon Howe, Barbara Dean
In the first show 1st February -26th February, Maslen and Mehra will illuminate the back wall with an image that encourages the viewer to enter the world of the natural environment and interact with the figures that occupy the habitation. Raimi Gbadamosi's neon sign asks the question ‘Are you looking at me’ then provides an answer that examines issues of personal difference. Sue Cohen uses the stories, personal histories and events of the past to question our observations of remembrance. Marc Newton projects his urban environments out of the gallery to mingle with Brick Lane’s daily events. Jon Howe questions his view on his behaviour through the use of dialogue between materials and environment. Barbara Dean uses domesticity and rituals in our everyday practices to explore our traditions and sense of community.

28th Feb – 1st April
Anne Rook, Amy Cooper, Mark Bell, Marianne Walker, Lucy Gottlieb
In show two 28th Febuary-1st April, Anne Rook explores contemporary metaphors. She uses the apple as a symbol of the invader or interloper to other lands and cultures. Amy Cooper explores nature to push our perceptions between craft and fine art. Mark Bell's large neon eraser examines western culture to rewrite existing global values. Marianne Walker's dark drawings pin down onto paper a physical representation of immaterial phenomenon. Lucy Gottlieb uses her fascination with nature and Alchemy to explore science, mortality and the sublime.

2nd April – 27th April
Greg Rook, Karen Grainger, Lucy Steggals, Rart and Sete, Pernille Legget Ramfelt
In show three 2nd April-27th April, Greg Rook occupies the back wall and transforms it into an Altar piece to examine our beliefs. Karen Grainger’s image of interiors devoid of human presence questions our perceptions on the real world against those images transported through the TV. Lucy Steggals collect objects that are found in the local area and arranged to relate to their immediate environment. Rart and Sete use an eclectic use of ingredients and materials employing humour in the most blatant manner redefining the moment as a permanent record. Pernille Leggat Ramfelt explores the narrative in the production of film scrutinizing new process in the process of observation.

The shop is closed to the viewer. The work is witnessed through the window only encouraging the universal onlooker from a diverse population. The Gallery itself becomes an installation that captures the boundaries of the street, Sunday market and the evening visitor. Open to view 24 hours a day 7 days a week no one is excluded from the experience of Urbanbodies.

Urbanbodies has included workshops to encompass two groups that are often excluded. Artists will organise a range of discussion groups and practical classes to provide access to contemporary art in a professional setting. Headway, who work with people with head injures and Lewisham Youth Offending team, have the opportunity to produce work that relates to their own personal experiences in often difficult circumstances. Their stories will be translated in a range of medias and exhibited at 127 Brick Lane which will enhance feelings of self worth, community and shared experience. Both groups come from different backgrounds but will join together in the event of a three day show that explores an alternative perspective on their notion of Art.

Image: a work by Barbara Dean

URBANBODIES will not be invigilated. Artwork can be viewed 24hrs 7 days a week from the window only. Appointments can be made with the curator
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Two evening events have been included to company Urbanbodies.
Guest speakers Chris Smith and Ian Robertson will discuss the issues generated by discussion of Art and the Community are such that there are advocates for both art's representation of particular communities and for t a role for art as an integrationist strategy. In addition there is an advocacy for art's therapeutic role in both individual and broader social contexts. The purpose of the lecture /discussion will be to raise debate in regard to the efficacy of art's role in these domains and to initiate discussion in regard to research in these areas.
Ian Robertson and Chris Smith, the leaders of this seminar, are members of the Art and Praxis research group of the Sir John Cass Department of Art, Media and Design London Metropolitan University.

To be held at The Clore Seminar Room. Women’s Library, Old Castle street. Whitechapel. E1.
Chris Smith:
8th February 7.00-8.30pm.
Ian Robertson:
8th March 7.00pm-8.30pm.
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WORKSHOP EXHIBITION.
29TH APRIL-1ST MAY 2005
127 BRICK LANE.
LONDON E1.
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Catalogue will be available at the Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop

Further information/images contact: Sue Cohen 07931 536327

Venue:
127 Brick Lane (nearest cross street Sclater Street) London E1

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