intersilient

PHOENIX ART SPACE
10–14 Waterloo Place

Brighton, BN2 9NB

East Sussex, UK
2 – 17 September 2023

Wednesday – Sunday, 11.00 – 17.00

A bright and lively opening event at the Phoenix Art Space, Brighton invited in those who were sweltering outside with the unusually hot and humid weather for September.  A chill from the air conditioning soon evened out the temperature and the cool spacious gallery, with its welcoming sunflower yellow introduction to the Community Takeover: A Seat At The Table, gave entry to a powerful, thoughtful and provoking exhibition by those who live in Brighton.

Shift Happens

Artists Cole and Joslin facilitated a research project exploring art as a means to consider and work through life experiences of a group from the Brighton Women’s Centre who:

“asked themselves what it means to reflect upon, activate, and acclimatise to change, seeking ways to visualise the uncertainties and complexities of their lives.”

The stimulus for to the work was a personal account of the significance of a black leather La-Z-Boy chair, both as a physical presence and as a metaphor of an abusive relationship.  The conclusion was a dramatic explosion of the foreboding black chair captured on video and shown in the exhibition.  Not quite a final conclusion as the pieces gathered from the fallout, again physically and metaphorically, were handed to artist, Jake Parker, to create a sculpture of what Remains.  Jake Parker considered the tight brief he was given was helpful, but also the responsibility of representing the women’s collective experience and attaining their trust in his handling of the remnants of their deliberations was an exciting challenge.  In speaking to one of the visitors who expressed that the sculpture looked as if it was going to scuttle off into a corner “like an insect or cockroach” the sculpture had met its purpose.  Those difficult memories and associations can be shunted and consigned to a dark recess.

Displayed in the centre, large enough to be a presence, but small enough to be accidentally overlooked as people walked by, the accompanying video presentation was intriguing.  A physical shadow dance performance around the original intimidating leather chair with images overlaid and superimposed on the field where the explosion took place are other worldly, but listening to the accompanying soundtrack of an account of the disturbing life of the chair in a domestic abuse situation, the lack of subtitles was poignant.  (A written transcript is available.)  The importance of destroying the chair and its symbolism became hauntingly clear; a powerful statement indeed.

A second video of a huge, strong, tree trunk copied five times across the screen with a different woman entering from the left, whispering into the bark whilst hugging each tree, was mesmerising.  The soundtrack for this is reproduced in subtitles, and as each person confides to the tree any burdens they were carrying, the viewer feels privileged to be included.  In fact there are cards for you to complete with “I carry…” to enable that wider inclusion.

A Difficult Place

Sectioned off with bean bags to sit on is a film of major importance exploring the effects of the current cost of living crisis and how the community is struggling to find a way to live with the consequences.  A Difficult Place by Katie Beinart and John Edwards with local residents, is heartfelt and insistent, without being melodramatic or preaching. This thoughtful film lays the realities bare for all to see.  The changes in the community and their far reaching realities are calmly stated, but the sadness and regret are palpable.  The nature of the streets and the range of shops change with the demographic.  Old ways of coping and living in a community are squeezed with new residents moving in, and the wider implications of the crisis for large retailers on the high street as well as individuals with limited income all have resonance.

The Phoenix Food Shop is part of the exhibition highlighting the provision and looking for funding to keep the valuable service functioning.  A large family bag of groceries including fresh fruit and vegetables with staples such as tinned food, pasta and toiletries can be purchased for £7.50 heavily subsidised and literally life saving.  Contributions to the fundraising can be sent here and will be gratefully received and put to good use

There is a Community Takeover: Family Workshop Event
16 September 2023
11.00 – 13.00

The exhibition continues until 17th September 11am-5pm.

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Alongside the exhibition, also in the Phoenix Art Space is the Platform Graduate Award Exhibition 2023.  Great to see new artists and the person who shone was Emelia Archer, in particular Back Seat Driver 2023.