Playlist:

Weird Britain

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In this week's Playlist we present a selection of videos by contemporary artists that are inspired by folklore and traditions from Weird Britain.


Gail Howard, Deep Place, 2017

 

Site responsive collaboration with Helen Clifford for 76m2 in Pontypool looking at ritual and custom in contemporary life in the South Wales valleys.

May 2017

Check out Gail's profile on Axisweb >


GAST, The Chance, 2016

 

The Chance is a work that takes a skewed glance into the nature of a micro community and how ones place is found with in it. The work makes connections with the wider accepted and engaged ideologies and behaviours of the ‘big’ society.

Check out GAST's profile on Axisweb >


Holly Slingsby, The High Places, 2016

 

This is the first in a series of new video works by Holly Slingsby, where the artist performs in sacred or psuedo-sacred places in an attempt to activate their latent spiritual energies. This work was made in the ruins of three churches in Romney Marshes, and focuses on a priestess character who tries - with various objects and actions - to call these places of worship back to life. Her accoutrements recall the prophetess Miriam, the figure of Justice and the holy virgin Vesta, amongst others. As well as trying to reinvigorate the locations themselves, the work imagines it can channel the ancestral power of these divine women. 

This work was commissioned by Kunst Vardo and supported by Arts Council England.

Check out Holly's profile on Axisweb >


Emily Speed, The Construction Workers, 2013

 

HD Film, 6m30s projected and exhibited with handmade costumes, printed handerkerchiefs and wooden structures, commissioned by Wirksworth Festival.

Alongside the tradition of Morris dancing as a ritual and symbolic act, ‘The Construction Workers’ takes inspiration from the tacit structures that exist within small communities and the delicate balance required to keep things working harmoniously and consistently. Made with the generous help of the ladies from the ‘Ripley Green Garters’ Morris group.

Check out Emily's profile on Axisweb >


More film and video works >