ACTIVATE / PARTICPATE

ACTIVATE/PARTICPATE sought to determine how and to what extent chameleonic sculptures could change colour and appearance in relation to viewer interactions by using fabrics in new and innovative ways. They demonstrate how audience presence, participation and actions can actively contribute to the changing form and aesthetics of artworks. 8 of these sculptures were shown to the public in a solo exhibition at The Hub Sleaford, formerly the National Centre for Craft and Design in 2021/2022.

This included the kinetic fabric sculptures Cryptobiosis I & II that viewers could control and effectively play like visual musical instruments. By turning and pressing buttons, visitors could determine the rotational speed and direction of motorised clumps of hanging threads of fluorescent fabric. Setting them in motion, sometimes revealed other colours of fabric otherwise hidden beneath. It also created a shadow dance on the wall and a sonic concert as the motor’s functioning, intensity and direction was altered. These works demonstrate how viewers can co-author their own individual experience of an artwork.

The outputs also included the site-specific inflatable U-too that measures 23.3 x 10.9 x 3.8m and is made from a ripstop nylon with a reflective coating. It remains in a constant state of flux as its surfaces constantly changed during its writhing circumnavigation of the Hub’s axis of supporting columns and metal framework. This material development of using reflective fabric, meant this sculpture could take on the hue of its surrounding, including the clothing of viewers and other adjacent sculptures. In this way, it captured blurred reflections of viewers as they approached; meaning everyone’s experience of the work was unique.

Additional works also responded to audience interactions including the 3 sculptures Anti-Camo I & II & III, changed appearance with a smartphone torch shone upon them, or Loopy Dyad and Trefoil, which changed colour according to the viewer movement and relative position. From a technical perspective, the Anti-Camo sculptures consist of 6 layers of lasercut fabric, with a flexible PETG core, which allows the sculptures to bend and flex due to gravity without snapping. The laser cutter was also used to simultaneously cut and weld layers of fabric and necessitated the production of a number of cardboard gaskets and positive and negative formers to ensure layers matched up as required during the making process.

Funded by Arts Council England, during its 16-week run it received over 3,600 visitors and local and regional press coverage.

Funded by Arts Council England, during its 16-week run the exhibition in Sleaford received over 3,600 visitors and local and regional press coverage.

https://hub-sleaford.org.uk/exhibitions/activate-participate

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CVxyjcwJV1C/

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXwLHjkIit2/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYen8vjIE5E/