Finally, an exhibition where it’s okay to play with the art!
Artist Libby Heaney, currently in the middle of her MA in Art and Science at UAL/Central St Martin’s School of Art, combines sculpture with her extensive background in quantum physics “to create a controlled deconstruction of reality”. She uses 3-dimensional objects and 2-dimensional digital images to demonstrate “the unrepresentable…frozen moments of time where gravity is jilted.”
Heaney does this with randomly arranged groups of multi-sided shapes known as “polyhedrons”, which accompany a larger 8-sided object (an octahedron, aka two pyramids attached bottom to bottom). Inside of the large octahedron, inscribed with enigmatic mathematical symbols, is a computer gizmo that relays an avatar of itself projected onto the wall. As the viewer manipulates the object in her hands, the computerised image mimics the object’s movements, and convinces the viewer that she is in control.
Things get even more interesting as there is a table nearby providing an opportunity for visitors to create a random something-sided-hedron with bits of magazine cut-outs glued onto a pattern provided by Heaney. These 3-D collages will become another randomised pile of polyhedrons, growing as more people contribute their colourful paper cubes, pyramids and the like.
Since you’re already in the Tate, it will be an intriguing 10 minutes to pop over to Chelsea College of Art across the way. And bonus, Heaney will be there and she is always willing to share ideas and talk about her work.
More links and information
- View/download event details – “De//Coherence” [Facebook event]
- Libby Heaney’s website
- View/Download Libby Heaney De-Coherence exhibit guide [PDF]
Exhibition details: De//Coherence is on from 24 – 30 April (closed Sunday 27 April) in SU Gallery, Chelsea College of Art and Design adjacent to Tate Britain. Free admission. Step-free access and family-friendly.
London SW1P 4JU
kelise soixante-douze 