Glissando

About

This new site specific work will deal with humans' historical desire to fly. Playing on mythological narratives, real technological attempts, sleight of hand and mechanical shortfalls, it examines utopian dreams of becoming airborne and the urge to believe. Powell-Williams' theatrical installations present almost-familiar sculptural objects which beg for interaction but offer no obvious use. Purposefully dysfunctional and provisional feeling, yet resolutely specific and solid, they are ‘hysterical' things, in a permanent rictus of extrovert performativity which is never fulfilled — absurdly humorous and poignant at the same time. Powell-Williams' practice is underpinned by a fascination with the Theatre of the Absurd, particularly Beckett, and the semantic gaps between language and the physical world. Her interests in the adoption of social roles and in conspicuously constructed environments, such as Disneyland or Las Vegas, come through in ways that make the viewer question what authenticity really means, in art and beyond. The installation at Salisbury Arts Centre will be built on site and play on the theatrical space of the 14th century former church, with its drapes and stained glass. Its development is inspired by Eilmer the Flying Monk (an 11th century story of misguided faith); Laika, the first dog in space (a story of the race to reach tomorrow); William Golding's ‘The Spire' (a story of impossible plans for the spire of Salisbury Cathedral); and Christina the Astonishing (a 13th century story of trickery, miracle or madness). Launches with a special event on 24 July, 6.30pm: a one off performance with Music Off Canvas.