Artist Claire Reed writes about making work for ‘Thresholds’ at St George’s.
Fascination. Frustration. Inspiration.
The challenges faced in creating work for and installing work in a Grade 1 listed building have produced a roller coaster ride of frustration and elation – its been a great experience! There are certain protocols that need to be respected in a sacred space and of course you have to avoid fixing into or damaging the building and any of its priceless contents. I definitely recommend working closely with someone who knows the peculiarities of the space. We have had the advantage of working with St George’s Visual Arts Organiser, Jane Ponsford, who has helped us devise innovative hanging solutions.
With ‘Thresholds’ timed to coincide with Heritage Open Days, the historical aspect of this church has been important to the concept of the installation. For me, some intriguing historical facts unearthed in our research have brought St George’s alive, changing my initial perception of it as a rather melancholy, historic site. We also felt that we could not ignore the spiritual essence here, after all, it is a sacred building. This quote from ‘How to read a church’ by Richard Taylor sums it up: ‘Admiring a church for its beauty or history alone is like admiring a Monet for its frame’.
The play of light throughout the building seems to highlight a capacity for transformation which prompted us to complement this with an idea of ‘the heavenly’ suggested through the ethereal nature of the work. Over this week, I have been surprised at how much the experience of the space changes as the strong winds billow the translucent drapes, animating the serene interior.
As the week goes on, I find myself increasingly inspired by this historic, hidden gem.
Claire Reed http://clairereed.co.uk
