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Exhibitions

FOUR ON THE FLOOR | SIX IN THE AIR

In Bron­wen Buck­eridge’s lat­est work a live dura­tional per­for­mance cre­ates an exhi­bi­tion out of the arte­facts and trace ele­ments it leaves behind.

Dates
29/07/23 – 02/09/23
Organisation
Region
Devon
Opening Times
Sunday, Closed
Mon–Sat, 10:00 – 17:00
The performance takes place in the gallery on Saturday 29 July from 10 am – 4 pm, and is divided into 6 episodes, each lasting 45 minutes and starting on the hour. The exhibition will then open on Thursday 3 August, running until Saturday 2 September (closed on Sundays).

In each episode a birder is stationed in a different locale around Kingsbridge and dials in a live report on the movement of the birds around them. Back at the gallery the artist decodes this commentary into a series of instructions and stitches for crochet, which a record keeper archives onto a chalkboard spanning the width of the gallery. This unfolding pattern is then fashioned with hooks and yarn by a team of crocheters working with the artist in real-time.

Together the birders, crocheters and the artist form their own fragile working machine. Human operated and supported by technology, the machine is primarily avian, controlled and directed by birds. Its pace, shape and particular rhythm are in service to the will and evolving patterns of water, woodland and garden birds moving around the town.

After the performance Buckeridge will create a film from the live broadcast footage. This will form part of the ongoing exhibition alongside the artefacts and traces of the live work: the crochet and the coded instructions on the chalkboard.

FOUR ON THE FLOOR | SIX IN THE AIR is also a portrait of the town that hosts it, with members of the local community – in this case birders and crocheters – adopting roles that support its production. The traces of its human protagonists as well as their avian counterparts can be found in its workings and final expression.

The exhibition marks the beginning of a new programme at Harbour House, which places community engagement at its heart. The new vision for the Harbour House is shaped by our ongoing work with the Young Curators of Kingsbridge Community College, who highlighted the need for art to bring together different groups and generations within the community as well as a programme strand exploring our natural surroundings, climate change and our non-human neighbours.

On Sunday 30 July, Buckeridge will be delivering a community workshop with the KCC Young Curators. During the workshop Bronwen will introduce simple listening devices to tune into the beauty of the woodland. Time will be spent foraging for different sounds and finding playful ways of visually recording and making them memorable. The group will then use instruments made from natural materials to compose and play back a DIY finale to the birds, the wind and the surrounding trees. The workshop is open to all ages (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).
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CREDIT