Tagged: Helen Clegg
Interactive Art – ‘The Bridge Gathers’
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Press Release: Melissa Fergusson Consulting
Interactive Art – ‘The Bridge Gathers’
Lot 23 are proudly exhibiting Helen Clegg’s latest work called ‘The Bridge Gathers’ opening 29 May – 20 June 2014.
Clegg photographs in a non-traditional manner, using a black cable in most of her work which is designed to engage the viewer, by connecting Clegg on both an internal and external level.
Born in the UK, and now resides in Auckland. Clegg was awarded the ‘NZAAT Emerging Artist Award’ in 2013. The ‘Bridge Gathers’ is Clegg’s second solo exhibition in conjunction with the Auckland Festival of Photography beginning 29 May.
On 3 June, Lot 23 will be hosting an interactive art component of Clegg’s exhibition for the public from 6pm – 9pm, 23 Minnie Street, Eden Terrace.
Interview with Helen Clegg
1. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
The prospect of a new day I find really exciting, I’m definitely a morning person, I love the feeling of being fresh out of bed and I’m most productive in the mornings. That and coffee, coffee gets me out of bed in the morning.
2. When did you discover photography?
I’ve always played with my parents’ cameras for as long as I can remember, although it was when I was 8 years old and had just started a new primary school when I really fell in love with photography – this school had a photography club and darkroom classes, something I’d never come across before, that’s when I discovered photography as an artform and it’s been my medium of choice ever since.
3. What is your favourite colour?
It’s hard to pick one favourite, I’m a very colourful person and my preferred colour changes over time. I love grey, it’s so versatile, complements all other colours perfectly, and is so diverse in it’s range – it can be warm or cold, light or dark, and takes on aspects of all other colours.
4. What is one thing you would change about the world – if you could?
I don’t have an answer to this question, there’s just too much to list. I’m definitely an optimist, but I realise that that’s very easy when you’re coming from the privileged position of living in the “developed world”. I suppose I’d like to see living become easier for everyone on this planet. Just don’t ask me how.
5. Do you believe in fate?
No. I’m very much a “take each day as it comes” type of person, I don’t like to think that it’s all pre-decided, that there’s nothing we can do to change our future, it’s unsettling.
6. Who is your inspiration?
I have many inspirations, but my mother would be my main one. She’s a courageous, generous, honest and kind woman, and inspires me everyday. My artistic inspirations vary far and wide, and change like my favourite colour changes.
7. When it comes to chocolate – Cadbury or Whittakers?
I’m not really a big chocolate person but if I’d have to choose it’d be Whittakers – when I do eat chocolate it’s dark chocolate.
8. Do you prefer high heels or flats?
Flats, and more specifically flat boots. There’s very little worse in life than cold toes! (Or sore feet from heels, I rarely wear them, what’s worth the pain?)
9. Are you scared of spiders?
No.
10. What makes you happy?
So many things – sunshine, landscape, friends, cake and cats to name a few. And my partner, waking up next to him everyday makes me happy.
Helen Clegg exhibits at Lot23
Auckland based, UK born artist, Helen Clegg (b. 1988), recipient of the NZAAT Emerging Artist Award in early 2013, is set to open her second solo exhibition The Bridge Gathers, (2014) as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography.
Alongside Helen’s exhibition in the gallery which runs from May 29th – June 20th, we have a unique experience to offer for our visitors and fringe festival goers for one night only – 3rd June 2014. The box throughout Helen’s series will be situated in the LOT23 Studio, and the audience invited to explore the set and participate in the scene. They’ll be able to interact with the box and take their own photograph, as Helen does. These images will be broadcast into the gallery via live feed and available online to download, tag and share. It will undoubtedly be a very fun and engaging evening.
About Helen Clegg’s work.
Helen’s art practice both draws on and challenges the traditional parameters of performance, self-portraiture, and landscape photography. Her work displays a consistent signature of using her own body in a way that blends with the environment though very consciously posed. Keeping the black cable release deliberately visible engages the viewer, and connects her as both internally and externally in control of the image, although she never engages the camera with her face. Landscape in Clegg’s work takes on an element of theatre, not only a stage for her to explore human sensibility by acting and reacting with the surrounds, but also a counterpart and aide within the photograph.
Working with analogue film slows her process. This slowing down between the performed momentary gesture and the photographic print, further distils an anti-immediacy into each image.This anti immediacy complements the deliberate and intuitive manner with which she composes each frame.
melissafergusson 