In her first solo exhibition in the UK, Australian artist Lynette Wallworth presents a series of interactive video works that were created after a residency at the National Glass Centre.
A major key to the exhibition is its interactivity, with visitors actually affecting its nature, and becoming part of the work.
Damavand Mountain is a three-screen video installation, created as a response to the time Wallworth spent in Iran in 2004. A series of beautiful images far removed from the news bulletins normally associated with the region, slowly morph on the screens -sitting to view the piece is a haunting, yet calming experience.
In another work, Invisible by Night, we encounter an eerie image of a woman. She holds out her hand, beckoning towards us and if the viewer responds by placing their hand onto the glass, she makes eye contact with us, in a chilling exchange.
However, a work, called Hold: Vessel 1 is perhaps the most successful in the exhibition. In this piece, films of images varying from microscopic creatures to expansive galaxies are projected down towards the floor. Visitors are invited to take a bowl into the darkened space and ‘catch’ the images, by holding it underneath the projection.
The work is extremely powerful, with strength of image and sound combining to deliver an intense experience.
Describing the piece, Wallworth said: “I like the idea that the bowls can be shared and handed from person to person. It reflects the fact that we are all responsible for the environment and what happens to the seas and oceans.”
Lynette Wallworth is on display at the National Glass Centre until 17 June.
