Jeremy Barton     A U T U M N  E X H I B I T I O N    Canterbury Festival 2010: Photos From The Undercroft
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It's difficult to convey this kind of exhibition in photos, you had to be there to fully appreciate it. But for those who couldn't make it there are some photos further down the page divided into three sets: Setting Up, The Exhibition and The Private View. The Undercroft of the Eastbridge Hospital is a beautiful space supported by a series of stone gothic arches built in the 12th century. When you have been there for a while you become aware of both the strength of the building and the elegance and simplicity of its design. You also become aware of the penetrating damp cold, but that is another story. The building has slipped over the years towards the river Stour so that substantial columns are noticeably out of square. It is amazing that it all stays up, despite distortions to the geometry of the arches that the builders could not have foreseen. However, the building remained in place for the duration of our exhibition, much to my relief, and it provided a unique setting for my Light Works. We were able to place individual pieces on plinths in separate side alcoves, where each had the benefit of its own setting. Visitors could move from one to another without distraction as each effectively occupied its own room. Meanwhile, for the wall hung pieces, we created a series of triangular display boards that fitted neatly into the rhythm of the building. Each board supported two works backing onto each other and onto the wall. Again this minimised the interference between works, as the light from one did not intrude on its next door neighbour. Another factor that makes it difficult to convey the exhibition in photos is the nature of the work itself. All of the pieces on display contain complex interior spaces, often involving visual illusions that are virtually impossible to photograph. All I can do here is show you how the exhibition looked with the Light Works in place. But to fully appreciate the works themselves you have to see them and see into them.

	Setting Up - Photos by Rachelle Allen-Sherwood
					Here's how it looked before we began, piles of boxes, plinths and pieces of display stuff, brightly lit by dozens of halogen spotlights.
					Ian tries to make sense of my plan while Matt and I look on amused.   Matt not only helped set up but was also the third invigilator.
					These triangular display boards were originally constructed in Ian's studio on a level floor, which is more than we have here.
					Ian labours to make the boards fit the space whilst I admire his dedication.
					We're still working on that first set of boards with half the day gone. We didn't finish setting up until seven in the evening.   My special thanks to Phil the electrician, who doesn't appear in these photos, but who was there wiring up until the very end of the day.

 

	The Exhibition - Photos by Jeremy and Rachelle
					The triangular display boards ran down the left hand side of the space. The work immediatley in view is At Ten. The next piece, Sub Marine, is at right angles to it and cannot be seen from this angle
					Here are two pieces, Ghost and Tower, on plinths, each in its own alcove.
					This is a piece called Bridge, standing in its alcove with a view through to the main space beyond.
					Here you can see two of the triangular display boards set against the side wall.
					This work is callled Ghost and was placed on a plinth at the end of the central aisle.
					This work, called Ultraviolet, occupied an odd little alcove by the main door.
					We created this cosy corner for the invigilators with comfey chairs. Unfortunately, even with a heater running all the time, it was still very cold.

	Craig and Rachelle, two of the invigilators.

 

	The Private View - Photos by Seth Barton
					The artist and his mother.
					The artist with friends.
					Friends and family.

 

	Many thanks to all those who came to see the exhibition and were so enthusiastic about the work on show. I greatly enjoyed talking to visitors, some of whom had really come to see the Undercroft and only found the Light Works by chance. Most people were delightful, interested, intrigued and very positive. The whole experience for me was very rewarding.

Intrigued? Confused? Want to know more? Feel free to contact me.
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