EXPANSION
OF EXISTENCE
Mixed media, audio-visual installation, 2023
Exhibited in Gallery 11 at The Ferens, Hull from April 14th to May 21st 2023 as part of their Artist in Residence programme.
Expansion of Existence explores the interconnectedness of human life on earth through ancestry and maternal lineage. From the Big Bang through to the current day, all matter is connected and intertwined; a complex network of genealogical links and expanding consciousness.
This new work looks at the relationship we have with ourselves and our own heritage, through the people who came before us. The DNA we share, the places we live and the stories we leave behind.
Gallery 11, The Ferens, Hull - April - May 2023
Image description
A gallery space with large skylight and polished wooden floor displaying 6, ribbon covered spheres in multiple colours. Every sphere is connected to the largest, central sphere with bright red ribbons and each one has long ribbon tails hanging down and pooling on the floor.
the visuals
The colourful intertwined ribbons featured in this piece, represent the different life paths of 100 women who lived between 1670 and 2019, from lead artist, Louise Cole’s maternal line. The connections between the sculptures highlight the family links as well as lived experiences across almost 350 years.
Viewed through the artist’s eyes, Expansion of Existence is a visual response to having a neurodivergence called Synaesthesia. A rare, perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory pathway. What you see in the work is a way to communicate a small part of this experience, and it is from this very personal view of life that the project was developed.
Louise Cole working on the piece in Gallery 11 at The Ferens
Image description
Louise sits on the floor with a large ribbon coloured sphere that she is working on. She has dark red hair with a short fringe and is wearing a black and pink striped top. There are more spheres on and beside a chair next to her and long ribbon tails trail across the wooden floor into the foreground of the photo.
about the work
Expansion of Existence features a spoken word soundtrack, a 360, motion triggered soundscape that contrasts against the ever present, whispered names of the 100 women. As the audience moves through the installation and triggers the sensors, a story unfolds that explores health inequality, working class narratives, violence against women and the strength and power that can be found in community.
You can listen to the two spoken word tracks and the audio described accompaniment to the work here:
Panoramic photo of Gallery 11 at The Ferens featuring the whole work
Talks & Workshops
In addition to the work created on site at The Ferens as part of the artist residency, we also delivered a series of talks and workshops to local school pupils and visitors to the gallery.
Every Wednesday morning we held an open studios opportunity, which was a chance to meet and chat to visitors, discuss the themes of the work and share the making process.
Young people who attended the schools workshops were able to meet with lead artist, Louise to ask questions, share their feedback of the work and create their own piece of work based on the exhibition.
art educators cpd day
‘Thinking Outside of the Box’ was a bespoke CPD day for KS2 art and design leads in Hull schools, delivered at The Ferens. The day focused on creative discussions, some practical hands on art practice and lots of discussion around how to incorporate creativity across the wider curriculum.
credits
Concept design, creation and spoken word - Louise Cole
Artist and technical support - Emma Denby
Sound Direction - Carl Cole
Creative Technologist - Steve Symons
Thanks to Claire, Kerry, David, Andy and Phil at The Ferens
Very special thanks to Janette Gravenell-Tooke for sharing her many hours of family history research.
“THIS WORK IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE WOMEN WHO TROD THE PATH BEFORE ME AND ENABLED ME TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY”
