Victor Grippo's sculptures and installations transform everyday materials through alchemical power. David Austen’s much-anticipated first film "Smoking Moon" is witty also desperately sad and affecting.
Two Exhibitions
Recommended by Sam Taylor-Wood in The Evening Standard
'Top Five' - The Times
Victor Grippo's sculptures and installations transform ordinary materials with
extraordinary results. This influential Argentinean artist (1936 - 2002) was
intrigued by the humble potato, its universality and potential energy. He uses
potatoes to refer to the collective potential of oppressed peoples. In the work
Mesas de trabajo y reflexio'n (1994) (Tables of work and reflection) thoughts are
handwritten onto tables evoking meals eaten, books read, unspoken thoughts and
labour.
*****
Around the Table: Art and Literature
Wednesday 17 January, 7.00-8.30pm
Artist Sam Basu shares texts which prompt new insight into Victor Grippo's work.
Film Screening: Solyaris (dir. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1972)
Sunday 21 January, 3.00-4.30pm
A psychological hall of mirrors on board a space station. Victor Grippo commented on
and was influenced by this film. Based on the novel by Stansilaw Lem and re-made in
2002 by Steven Soderbergh starring George Clooney.
Exhibition Tour
Sunday 04 February, 3.00-4.00pm
Informal tour of the Victor Grippo exhibition with Exhibitions Organiser, Sarah Martin.
*****
David Austen: Smoking Moon Until 04 February, Reading Room
An ancient crescent moon hangs in a black void smoking a cigarette. David Austen's
film is witty, also desperately sad and affecting. Often unashamedly nostalgic, his
work speaks of fragility and longing.
"Five Best London Shows" - The Independent
*****
Film Series: Framing Protest
03-14 January
Drawing on the theme of struggle, unrest and social revolution in Grippo's work, see
a selection of films which reflect his interest in changing human consciousness.
The Official Story (dir. Luis Puenzo, 1985)
Wednesday 03 January, 7.00-8.30pm
The story of a woman's political awakening to the horrors of Argentina's military
regime.
Matewan (dir. John Sayles, 1987)
Wednesday 10 January, 7.00-8.30pm
The brutal struggle of a mining community in 1920s West Virginia.
The Ear (dir. Karel Kachyna, 1970)
Sunday 14 January, 3.00-4.30pm
Psychological thriller of a government's threateningly sinister surveillance.
Live Art Performance: Glittering Ground
24 - 31 January
A shimmering mixture of alchemy, performance and installation taking in elemental
transformations and the science of the impossible. With artists Keith Harrison,
Roger Hiorns and Karen Russo
Wednesday 24 January, 7.00-8.30pm
Karen Russo - Art and Alchemy, an illustrated lecture.
Saturday 27 January, 2.30-4.30pm
Keith Harrison - experiments with heat and transformation.
Wednesday 31 January, 7.00-8.30pm
Roger Hiorns - gradual transformations in sculptural materials.
Camden Arts Centre Bookshop:
Edwina Ashton has produced a special series of 17 individual drawings and paintings
taken from her recent exhibition 'Delicious Cutlet' at Camden Arts Centre. Visit the
Bookshop or call 020 7472 5500 for more details.
All Camden Arts Centre exhibitions and events are free unless otherwise stated.
Please make sure you book in advance for talks and events by calling +44 (0)20 7472
5500
Camden Arts Centre
Arkwright Road London Gran Bretagna
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10am-6pm Late opening Wednesday 10am-9pm.
Closed: Mondays and Bank Holidays
Admission free