‘Always / Never’ London, 2012, © United Visual Artists : Chorus, Durham, 2009, © United Visual Artist
“Momentum” : United Visual Artists The Curve, Barbican Centre, London UK 13th February – 1st June 2014
‘Momentum” totally transforms the Curve into an other-wordly space like no other; a paradoxical passage suspended in time that is both mesmerisingly beautiful and eerily haunting. UVA present Momentum, an immersive installation that uniquely combines light, sound and movement that translates the 90m long gallery of The Curve into a three-dimensional composition with characteristic verve. 12 pendulums suspended from the ceiling activate light and sound, swinging meditatively above visitors heads. Chilling sonics and artificial mist create a sense of calm, and sharply heighten viewer’s senses as they journey through the dark space. This experimentation into focussed light, droning sounds and repetitive movement induces a contemplative state of mind; a spiritual, pensive, individual reaction. People in the space sit, pause and wait, staring and staring at the swinging pendulums, caught in a hypnotic trance or nirvana. Momentum is completely immersive and subtly overwhelming. The rhythmic swings of arching light and crackling sounds are relational, seeming to have a physical impact on the viewer; possibly slowing their breathing or heart-rate and shrouding their thoughts with silent contemplation. The lack of subjectivity compels the viewer into themselves; into their own reverie. Watchers sit, lining the floor of The Curve, allowing the soothing yet haunting atmosphere to pass over them.
The darkened auditorium space has cinematic traits, leading to a heightened sense of scopophilic viewing and a one way voyeurism that leaves the viewer completely at ease. Darkness here leaves fear behind, adopting a meditative ambience and an absolute peace. The wave-like sway of light and resonating noises endlessly shift until time is not thought of and space is inconceivable.
Momentum is all-encompassing, receptive, but completely stunning. UVA have created a piece that ingeniously isolates yet invites the spectator, and beautifully reflects the physical space of The Curve.
“Our internal model of time, movement, mass and space is based on a lifetime of experience, perhaps even genetically encoded. What happens when we build a new model? What happens when we bend the rules?” UVA
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
United Visual Artists (UVA) is an art practice that use design processes to combine a wide range of disciplines including sculpture, installation, live performance, and architecture. The studio has an open approach to collaboration, uniting diverse skills to continuously evolve new technologies and materials, which in turn suggest new artistic directions. UVA’s lines of enquiry include the tension between real and synthesised experiences – the questioning of our relationship with technology, and the creation of phenomena that transcend the purely physical. In all their work, they aim to distill complexity down to its essence. Based in London, UVA was founded in 2003 by Matthew Clark, Chris Bird and Ash Nehru.
www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery
– words by Kimberley Brown
