British artist Chris Levine today unveiled a new body of site specific-works created for the inaugural Autumn Winter exhibition at Houghton Hall, Norfolk. ‘528 Hz Love Frequency’ (22nd October – 23rd December 2021) is a major solo presentation that transforms and illuminates unique environs of the house and grounds. The centrepiece of the exhibition is Molecule of Light, a new six-tonne monumental sculpture 25m in height, which comes to life as darkness falls, projecting light and 3D ambisonic soundscape across an imposing landscape. The exhibition also includes a series of new holographic artworks, prints and immersive laser and LED installations. Each distinctive work is characteristic of Levine’s unique and cutting-edge creations, which harness the immersive properties of light and sound.
‘It’s a great honour to be showing at Houghton. All my endeavours to create work that is truly experiential and transformative have brought me to this defining moment. I’ve always sought to create art that draws the viewer to
Chris Levine
stillness and into a meditative expansive state. The more the work can be accessed through the heart and not needing to be mentally processed allows for a deeper sensory experience and something that moves us emotionally and with a positive impact on our physiological state.’
The artist describes his practice as using light and geometry to create a space where consciousness and the physical realm overlap. Working in pursuit of an expanded state of perception and awareness through image and form, frequency and vibration, he creates installations that invite the viewer to be present, in the moment. Levine harnesses the power of light not just as a medium to create his artworks but also as a means with which to create powerful collective experiences.
Lord Cholmondeley of Houghton Hall said:
“This is our first Autumn/Winter show at Houghton, and it is exciting to be showing Chris Levine’s
mesmeric laser art in the grounds, as well as a selection of his iconic light portraits.”
Molecule of Light harnesses natural light by day and at night it becomes the centre of an immersive field of laser light forms. The high-powered lasers are precisely calibrated with the rotation of the earth, and by using the geometry and configuration of the architecture and natural topography of the Hall, the artist aims to draw the audience into a meditative state. Levine has collaborated with sound designer Marco Perry on the audio composition to produce a harmony of light and sound.
Levine is renowned for producing light portraits of notable cultural figures, most famously his depiction of the Queen, Lightness of Being (2012) – which was described by the National Portrait Gallery as ‘the most evocative image of a Royal by any artist’. Along with his celebrated royal portrait, his iconic images of Banksy, Kate Moss and Grace Jones, amongst others are on show in the South Wing gallery.
Chris Levine at Houghton Hall: 528 Hz Love Frequency 22nd October – 23rd December 2021 Open Days: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Opening times: 4.30 pm to 9 pm Adults £18 Under 18s free and concessions for Students
Tickets on sale NOW at houghtonhall.com
Since 2013, Houghton Hall has become a must-see destination for contemporary art and sculpture.
The Grade I-listed house was commissioned by the de facto first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert
Walpole, in 1722. Following in the footsteps of acclaimed artists such as Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor
and Henry Moore, Levine will be the seventh artist to hold a major show at the grand historic setting
– one that promises to offer a fresh and expansive context to his ground-breaking art.
About the Artist
Chris Levine is a light artist who works across many mediums in pursuit of an expanded state of perception and awareness through image and form. Levine’s work considers light not just as a core aspect of art, but of human experience more widely and a spiritual, meditative and philosophical edge permeates his work. Levine is perhaps best known for producing what is already being described as one of the most iconic images of the twenty-first century, Lightness of Being. With light and stillness at its core, the sensational portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
presents an utterly fresh depiction of the most famous woman in the world. The National Portrait Gallery stated it was the most evocative image of a royal by any artist.
Levine’s practice is differentiated by the cross-fertilization across many creative fields including music, performance, installation, fashion and design in a multitude of projects. His exhibition Hypervisual 1.2 completed a tour of 12 countries with the British Council. In 2012 his work featured in the major exhibition, Queen and Image at London’s National Portrait Gallery. He has had artwork in London’s Science Museum and has staged light performances and exhibitions internationally in spaces such as Radio City in New York commissioned by MoMA, The Eden Project, The Royal Opera House, MATE museum in Lima, London’s Fine Art Society and the headline installation at Dark Mofo
festival for Tasmania’s MONA museum. Levine’s status as one of the World’s leading light artists has led to a number of high profile cross-media collaborations from Massive Attack, Hussein Chalayan, Antony and the Johnsons, Kate Moss, Grace Jones and Jon Hopkins and has produced work for Chanel, BMW and Swarovski. He has recently completed another historic portrait to commemorate the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday to raise funds for the victims of Nepal’s recent earthquake. He is only the second artist to take a formal portrait of His Holiness, the previous being Annie Leibovitz. Chris Levine is managed by Twelve Arts.
chrislevine.com
