The Bluecoat: Topophobia
2 March-22 April 2012
Viewing: 2 March 18 – 20:00
daily 10– 18:00
Free admission
Anne Eggebert, Matze Einhoff, David Ferrando Giraut, Polly Gould, Marja Helander, Uta Koegelsberger, Abigail Reynolds, Almut Rink, Emily Speed, Louise K Wilson.
This multi-media exhibition explores topophobia – the fear of place – through photography, drawing, video projection, sculpture and sound art. Topophobia is an anxiety disorder which is understood as an irrational dread of certain places or situations. The phobia is considered as a cultural phenomenon, connecting us to the existential human question of how each of us finds our place in the world. The exhibition and related publication takes a look at the representation of place and space as threatened or threatening.
Liverpool based artist Emily Speed has been commissioned to produce a new installation as part of TOPOPHOBIA at the Bluecoat. This new site-specific work takes the form of a corridor on stilts.
Sara-Jayne Parsons, Exhibitions Curator at the Bluecoat said: “We are delighted Emily is producing a new installation for us as part of TOPOPHOBIA. She is a significant emerging artist with strong ties to the visual arts community in the region and I see this as a great opportunity for us to help her realise an ambitious project. Emily’s ‘Make Shift’ exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park was terrific and one of the best exhibitions I saw in 2011. I am excited to see what she will create in 2012.”
Exhibition related events.
Sat 3 March 2- 3.30pm
Exhibition tour
The curators of TOPOPHOBIA, Anne Eggebert and Polly Gould, lead this tour in the galleries.
Free, just turn up.
Sat 24 March 2 – 3pm
Exhibition tour
Artist Juan Cruz, Acting Director of Liverpool School of Art & Design, Liverpool John Moores University, and a member of the creative community at the Bluecoat, leads a tour of the show.
Free, just turn up.
Thu 29 March 6 – 7.30pm
Artist’s talk
In this illustrated talk about her new work for TOPOPHOBIA Louise K Wilson discusses the development of ideas stemming from a childhood fascination with the film Picnic at Hanging Rock that led to her visiting its location years later. She will touch upon relationships between this and her wider interests in sonic affect, haunting, disappearance and omission.
Free, but booking required.
Thu 12 April 6 – 7.30pm
Artist’s walk & talk
Join Emily Speed for an informal discussion about her work made especially for TOPOPHOBIA. Wandering through different areas of the Bluecoat, she will use text, images, a short film and dialogue to explore key themes including corridors, walls, forts and fear.
Free, but booking required.
TOPOPHOBIA considers the technologies of perception that shape our understanding of space and place. The artists contributing to the exhibition offer a response to this territory in a range of media and forms: Anne Eggebert – drawing and plant, Matze Einhoff – video projection onto a wall, David Ferrando Giraut – video projection on free-standing screen and vitrines, Polly Gould – sculptural watercolours and mirrored objects, Marja Helander – photography, Uta Koegelsberger – photography, Abigail Reynolds – sculpture and collages, Almut Rink – installation, Emily Speed – sculpture and performance, Louise K Wilson – audio installation work.
TOPOPHOBIA is curated by Polly Gould and Anne Eggebert. The exhibition is touring and opens at Danielle Arnaud Gallery, London in January, 2012 before travelling to Spacex in Exeter in May 2012.