Prince Lightning
dal 4/4/2003 al 24/5/2003
Segnalato da
4/4/2003
Prince Lightning
The Changing Room, Stirling
The Long Scratch. An installation and sound work by Nathaniel Mellors. Prince Lightning is a rap-star for the British countryside. He was conceived by Nathaniel Mellors during his residency at Grizedale Arts, and inspired by the discovery of a specialist collection of rare soul records in Cumbria.
The Long Scratch
An installation and sound work by Nathaniel Mellors
Prince Lightning is a rap-star for the British countryside. He was conceived by
Nathaniel Mellors during his residency at Grizedale Arts, and inspired by the
discovery of a specialist collection of rare soul records in Cumbria.
Prince Lightning is a romantic phantom born of generic sources. He is an attempt
to mutate the pop-cultural symbol of the black soul man into 3-dimensional
being. He represents the desire for an alternative position to mainstream
cultural influences. At the same time, because he is sourced from the limited
iconography of the mainstream, he remains a flawed and tragic construction.
The work comprises photographs, music and a sculptural installation. The
12-track album The Long Scratch is an original composition featuring rare soul
samples and Mellors/Prince Lightning's rapping and guitar-work. It plays inside
a 30-foot long crucifix-shaped nest. The photographs demonstrate Prince
Lightning at work on stage and in the woods. The images have a seductive but
dislocated quality and alongside the music reflect upon Prince Lightning's
Frankenstein-like identity crisis.
The Long Scratch is a continuation of Mellors' satirical work dealing with the
processing of human interests through entertainment structures. Black Gold,
Matt's Gallery, 2001 saw the artist present a series of home-made versions of
cheap exploitation T.V. formats, which ranged from a gameshow to a serial-killer
documentary. Heaven's Gate, Ibid Projects, 2002 featured a cult group's attempt
to use DIY technology to protect themselves against the media's handling of
their
imminent mass-suicide.
A CD and LP version of the music accompanies the exhibition and is for sale.
This project was developed with Grizedale Arts in conjunction with the touring
venues and is the first of a programme of consortium projects involving the
partnership. Nathaniel Mellors is represented by Matts Gallery, London.
Artist's Talk- Nathaniel Mellors
The Changing Room, Stirling, Saturday 24 May 4pm
Admission Free, All Welcome
Project supported by: North West Arts, Stirling Council, Scottish Arts Council,
South Lakeland District Council, Wigan Council
The Changing Room, Stirling - 5 April - 24 May*;
The Turnpike Gallery, Leigh - 14 June - 26 July;
The Brewery Gallery, Kendal - 3 - 31st August
* Private View at The Changing Room, Saturday 5 April 2.30-6pm*
The Changing Room
contemporary art space
35 The Crawford Arcade
King Street
Stirling
FK8 1AX
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1786 479361