art

A project with Carson McColl.

Lime wood 26cm x 9.5cm x 13cm; cotton lashing

The ultimate sustainable approach to design is to prioritise the potential longevity of the designed item and consider its later maintenance as a key part of its essence.  The features of this object are reminiscent of those found on a wooden boat. This draws attention to the effort and passion with which a boatowner cares for their vessel.  Ownership in this sense does not imply passive consumption. Furthermore, an engaged relation of labour constitutes part of the enjoyment of such possession.

Displayed at the Re-Dress exhibition at Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures July 2010.

Thanks to Chris Pendrich for wood carving mentorship.

CRY OUT the new theatrical production from the Theo Adams Company premiered in Tokyo November 30th 2009.  Costumes by Olivia Hegarty and Pipa Greenbank.

all photos c/o www.theoadams.net

The Centre of the Universe present “Triumph of the Will“
a group exhibition curated by Catherine Borra, Gedvile Bunikyte, Olivia Hegarty & Matthew Stone

14th October – 1st November 2009

Featuring works by:

James Balmforth
Gareth Cadwallader
David Ferrando Giraut
Lewis Ronald
Boo Saville
Matthew Stone
SuperBlu

The group exhibition “Triumph of the Will“ emerges from a series of complex questions that begin with Leni Reifenstahl‘s influential 1934 film of the same title. The film was commissioned and funded by Hitler and portrays the euphoric Nazi rise to power. The filming used 90 camera-men who captured over 1 million individuals. It is regarded as a landmark piece of cinema both technically and for its epic renderings of the united body-mass and their messianic leader. Despite Reifenstahl‘s later claims to the contrary, the film exists in collective consciousness as being the “most successful, most purely propagandistic film ever made.“ (Susan Sontag).

How do we understand the aesthetic legacy of this event?

Does any aesthetic embody and bear responsibility for the final solutions of ideology?

In the contexts of both the film and the works in this show, what is the power of the individuals depicted and those implicated as audience?

The Centre of the Universe is a nomadic art space.

Hypnagogic Approach from Olivia Hegarty on Vimeo.

Short film made with Ladan Anousfar and Gedvile Bunikyte for Windsor Film and Music Festival. Screened as an accompaniment to a live choir singing Nunc Dimittis by Arvo Part.  The film piece won the audience award at the event.

digital print on silk, 83cm x 110xm

“If the World came to an end how would you imagine starting over?
What is the best thing about having less work, less money and
more time? How would you best spend your (Free*) time?

How can we re-orientate ourselves in a changing world? What do we hope for the future? A moment of recession marks a deceleration and slowing down, and an opening up to a time of reflection, reservation, and conservation. In a state of lull is there opportunity forge new values, forms of solidarity, closer familial ties, and healthier modes of consumption? Is there value within a moment of quietude for much needed reflection?”

The End of Something project at Volume, August 2009.
114-116 Amersham Vale, Deptford Police Station, New Cross, London SE14 6LG

The smallest actions have an impact in an interconnected closed and finite system.  The awareness of consequence tackles nihilism. To realise finitude is to unravel infinite possibility.  This creates a context for powerful action and a potential end to apathy.

With thanks to James Wignall (Structural Design), Monique Dorniak, Ryo Himuro and Camille Roman (Sewing) and all donors of garments and stuffing.

My seating sculpture will be shown at this exhibition.  Private View 17th March 2009, 7pm.

Theo Adams
James Balmforth
Gareth Cadwallader
Francesco Chiaro
Olivia Hegarty
Jordan Hunt

The Centre of the Universe presents an untitled, yet heroic group exhibition, a performance by Jordan Hunt and a public artist’s salon.  The show is happening within an exhibition by graduating students from the Royal College of Art’s Curating Contemporary Art MA course.

Jordan Hunt’s performance: 7.30pm on Tuesday 17th March
Interconnected Echoes – Matthew Stone’s Artist Salon: 3pm Saturday 23rd March

18 – 29 March 2009
Royal College of Art Galleries, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU
Open daily 11 am – 6pm, free admission.
Public information: www.cca.rca.ac.uk or Tel: 020 7590 4444
Press preview: 17 March, 10am – 12 noon
Private view: 17 March from 7pm
A full list of public events will be available on the website: www.cca.rca.ac.uk