A novel by Charles Dickens has inspired an unusual art project in the town of his birth and University students have played a fundamental role in its creation.
Desks at A Hundred Seas Rising
A Hundred Seas Rising is a large-scale sound installation featuring the voices of a hundred members of the public talking about revolution was inspired by Dickens’ novel, ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’
The disembodied voices emanate from rows of school desks which make up the installation in Aspex gallery at Gunwharf Quays. The voices, from people of all ages and backgrounds, are talking about what they would like to change and reflect the artist’s exploration of how literature might inspire revolutions. The voices cover subjects personal or significant to the individuals and there is a website where five soundbites can be heard.
The work is by artist, Suki Chan, who was commissioned to mark the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth. She used students from Music and Sound Technology, Digital Media and Photography courses to help with sound recording and editing and with photography for the installation and said their help had been invaluable. “The students worked with enthusiasm and a lot of energy – I’m not sure we would have done it without them.”
University staff and students feature amongst the voices used in the project from across the South East. And visitors to the installation can contribute to the project by self-recording their own voice, talking about their ideas for change or revolution.
The Hong Kong born artist also took inspiration from the ‘Hundred Flowers Movement’ in 1950s China, which originated from a poem: ‘Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend.’ It was the first time in the history of the country that the government had opened up to ideological criticisms from the general public. But six weeks into the campaign, threatened by the overwhelming criticisms of the people, the campaign was halted and resulting in the Anti-Rightist Movement, in which ideas against the government were suppressed, leading to the loss of individual rights.
A Hundred Seas Rising is part of RELAY: Contemporary art in the South East of England commissioned in response to London 2012. It represents a partnership project between: Aspex, Quay Arts and the University’s Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries which part funded the project with TPSE (Turning Point South East), Arts Council England, Portsmouth City Council and the European Union.
The installation previews on Friday 18 May (6-8pm) at Aspex gallery and runs until 2 September 2012. Aspex Gallery, Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays, PO1 3BF
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May 20, 2012
I want to travel to portsmouth