April 14, 2019
The themes of illumination and repetition pervade the practices of Rachel McBrinn, Alison Piper, Lucy Wayman and Valerie Reid. Each artist anchored by a sculptural impetus, bringing to the fore both traditional and contemporary approaches to moving image and installation works.
Collaborative duo Rachel McBrinn and Alison Piper created ‘A Lower Volume’, a mesmeric video projection first shown at Hidden Door 2014 within the vaults of East Market Street.
Interior and exterior scenes were shot from as diverse locations as the evergreen landscapes of Muriavonside Country Park and within the secluded studios of Edinburgh College of Art. The interplay of liquid and light became the central motif of the project, creating an illusionary experience of a physical or pictorial space.
Rachel and Alison illuminated the Vaults with this site-specific installation, and for Hidden Door 2019, the pair will revitalise ‘A Lower Volume’ inviting its viewers to embark on this illusionary journey.
Much like Rachel and Alison’s practice, Lucy Wayman binds repetitive processes of image making in a sculptural manner, casting light onto traditional practices of rope knotting with a concern for the nature of craft, in our modern day commodity culture. Manipulating materials as fine as macrame thread and as robust as marine rope; Lucy connects ideas of systems, control and release.
For Hidden Door 2019, following a residency in the Highlands, Lucy will show a newly conceived sculptural work, a monument to the physicality of the landscape she was settled within at Inshriach Bothy.
Subtle interventions into the fabric of the Leith Theatre were made by artist Valerie Reid in 2017. The blistering walls of the Theatre were mended using the Japanese method of Kintsugi: the art of precious scars.
Joining the fragments of walls together using gold lacquer, Valerie hints at the history of the theatre as a host for performers and spectators since 1932- a victim of it’s bygone youth and a testament to the talent it has cultured.
Following their involvement in Hidden Door each of the artist’s mentioned have gone on to develop their practice within the context of residency programmes, commissions and international arts awards. Just as actors, performers and musicians have graced the stage of the Leith Theatre in years gone by, so to have artists challenged and expanded their practices with the support of Hidden Door, forging international recognition from forgotten spaces.
So much more than just a gig, Hidden Door provides a platform for emerging artists to experiment, develop their practice and reach new audiences. By buying a ticket to Hidden Door 2019, you’re helping to support these artists and other creatives.
