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BETHANY CHAMBERLAIN
IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT
An audio-visual installation created collaboratively through the vision of Lottie Sadd, composition masters student at the University of Leeds; Bethany Chamberlain and Natasha Joseph, who both studied Fine Art at Leeds Arts University.
"In a different light is an interactive audio-visual installation that uses experimental sound textures and soft, light visuals to ‘underscore and undermine’ (Moore, 2009, p. 5) the architectural space of the Roger Stevens Building on campus at the University of Leeds, where it also takes place. The scores for cellos and solo trumpet are composed from transpositions of the recurring shapes which feature in the Brutalist design; the sound aims to map both the sharp concrete angles and the round, fluid window openings. The interactive visuals work to afford a re-imagining, a re-seeing, of the space – one which is often hailed as ugly and oppressive in its stark grey concreteness. The visuals offer gates into another softer version of the site, translucent curtains to be walked through catching and manipulating the light in the space."
Lottie Sadd, project leader.
Bethany Chamberlain designed and created these gate-like structures from wood, inspired by the famous Japanese 'torii' gate, most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred. The aim was to create something which would guide people through the grey space of the court yard besides the Roger Stevens Building, and perhaps change the atmosphere of this forgotten, every day walkway for most commuters.
In collaboration with Bethany Chamberlain, Natasha Joseph designed and created the sheets of linen which were dyed and hung onto the gates on site.
“Natasha is a visual artist, invested in community-based arts. Her artistic practice is heavily informed by her background. Having been born and brought up in Bangalore, India, her gaze has always been from this frame of reference. Now living in England and exploring various parts of the world there is deeper understanding of the West. This impact both the aesthetic of her work and her ambitions for what she wants it to achieve. Her practice is also heavily based on collaboration with multi-disciplinary professionals & creatives as well as the local community. Natasha is currently living in Leeds, UK and developing Haath Se Arts, a community interest company promoting art and culture as well as attending her final year at Leeds Arts University pursuing a BA(Hons) Fine Art.” Nat Joesph’s website: https://natashatjoseph.wixsite.com/artist
The visuals were designed to accompany a piece of music composed by Lottie Sadd, who created the experimental score in response to the Roger Stevens Building. Cellist, Benjamin Jackson, and trumpet player, Will Blackstone played the piece of music in different areas of the court yard. Elements of the piece were improvised; both musicians conversing with one another through the notes they played. The sounds echoed through the tunnels of Roger Stevens building and into the surrounding spaces, causing passersby to stop, listen and look for a moment. The musical pieces were scheduled throughout the day and visitors came to be in the space and experience the sounds.
Pictured: Benjamin Jackson, Cellist.
Photographs edited by Natasha Joseph.
In A Different Light: Publications
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