You Move Me

2015, Mixed Media

You Move Me focuses on a fascination of underground spaces and the romantic notion of a forgotten river moving silently under a city, with only road names as clues and historical maps as proof.  Similar to the 2011 installation; ‘What Will We do When”, You Move Me curates 5 new works by artists within an installation infrastructure.

Using hidden waterways as a starting point, the project revolves around a wooden tunnel-like framework for people to walk beneath. The top section of the structure was partly concealed to focus the audiences gaze around the exhibition. Interference patterns, a type of optical illusion, eluded to the movement and flow. Selected artists were invited to respond to the work and themes surrounding the project. Their contributions took the form of viewpoints off the main structure and utilised a range of mediums such as: photography, drawing and sculpture.

The concept behind this activity concerns the 're-viewing' of (familiar) spaces. Using natural/ found materials to build the installation supports a sense of nature within an urban context - the two very much overlapping in both the city and the work. The participatory nature of the piece - you have to physically navigate the passageway - builds connections through audience engagement and supports a sense of adventure. Other themes include: the unknown, the hidden, escapism and wanderlust.

The power of a river is vast. They divide countries, create mountains and provide water for life.   When a river is moved by mankind to develop urban landscapes, what role does a river then play?

20m x 18m x 3m approx

Bristol, UK

Artists - Helen Jones/ Laurie Lax/ Olivia Jones / Synnøve Fredericks

Lighting design - Anna Barrett

Photography - Paul Blakemore

Commisioner - Antlers Gallery

Support - Arts council England