NUCLEAR: Art & Radiactivity 

'The Nightwatchman' B.A.N.G. logo, Hollington & Kyprianou

NUCLEAR

Nuclear power is re-emerging as a concern for our times, both as a
generator of energy and as part of a defence strategy. Today it seems
to stand for the failed utopian promises of modernism and a fresh hope
for a carbon-free future. The contradictions that lie at its core have
provided a rich source of questioning for artists, scientists,
ecologists and activists for many years. The exhibition NUCLEAR: Art &
Radioactivity explores these intricacies through two new commissioned
works by Chris Oakley and Simon Hollington & Kypros Kyprianou.


The Nightwatchman

Last year, high court judge Jeremy Sullivan caused an apparent setback
to the government's nuclear energy ambitions by ruling that public
consultation into the creation of a new fleet of nuclear power stations
was "misleading", "seriously flawed" and "procedurally unfair". The
content presented to the public was so without substance that the judge
ruled it would be "wholly insufficient for them to make an intelligent
response". Soon after these events, Simon Hollington & Kypros Kyprianou
started a residency at The British Atomic Nuclear Group as part of a
public perceptions program initiated in response to the 2007 ruling.

Hollington & Kyprianou’s work in NUCLEAR: Art & Radioactivity is the
outcome from this residency, particularly their work within B.A.N.G’s
wide-ranging public consultation process into the possibility of siting
a nuclear power facility in the heart of London.

Their new installation, 'The Nightwatchman’ takes the changing perceptions of
the nuclear power industry over its 50 year history into a single
immersive narrative environment. Combining the concerns of two
different eras (that of the mid-80’s and that of the present day), ‘
The Nightwatchman’ blends fact and fiction into a darkly humorous
journey from hard-nosed PR to a logical hysteria.

Half-Life

Chris Oakley's new film 'Half-life' looks at the histories of Harwell,
birthplace of the UK nuclear industry, and the new development of
fusion energy technology at the Culham facility in Oxfordshire. Oakley
has gained the cooperation of both these organisations in his research
and filming. The film examines nuclear science research through a
historical and cultural filter. It includes live action material
alongside archive sources and animated sections drawn from scientific
diagrams. With the recent widespread acceptance of the reality of
climate change driven by carbon dioxide emissions, the work explores
the realities and myths surrounding the nuclear sciences.

Two discussion events accompany the exhibition.

A Nuclear Talkaoke is being hosted by The People Speak at time, Fri 14
November within the exhibition in the Nicholls & Clarke building. A
mobile chat-show, the format allows all visitors to comment on the work
and the issues around it in an informal and entertaining way. Admission
is free and there's no need to book, however,if you would like to bring
a group of people to the exhibition and Talkaoke, or if you have
special access needs, please contact The Arts Catalyst on 020 7375 3690.

In partnership with the RSA Arts & Ecology, The Arts Catalyst and SCAN
present a nuclear forum at the RSA on Friday 28 November (10am to 6pm)
exploring the impact of nuclear power in art and culture. Prominent
artists, writers and experts will discuss their work and engagement
with the issues around nuclear energy, from Hiroshima through the 50s’
‘white heat of technology’ and the Cold War nuclear tensions to
present day energy debates. Speakers include the controversial American
‘nuclear sculptor’ James Acord, whose work caused huge public and
media attention as the highlight of The Arts Catalyst’s ATOMIC
exhibition in London ten years ago. The RSA is at 8 John Adam Street,
WC2. Nearest tube Temple/Embankment. Free. Please register at
art@rsa.org.uk

ACCESS: The Nicholls and Clarke Building and the RSA are accessible to
people in wheelchairs. Please note there is no on-site toilet at the
Nicholls & Clarke Building. For other access enquiries, please contact
The Arts Catalyst on 020 7375 3690.

NUCLEAR: Art & Radioactivity is commissioned and produced by The Arts
Catalyst with SCAN media arts agency, and in association with the RSA,
the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufacturing and
Commerce. The Arts Catalyst and SCAN are funded by Arts Council England.

Chris Oakley has exhibited at a number of major international media
arts festivals and exhibitions, including Transmediale in Berlin, the
Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and a prize at the Media Forum
of the Moscow International Film Festival in 2005.

Simon Hollington & Kypros Kyprianou have been working together since
1999, as well as having individual practices. They work in a wide range
of media, particularly video and installation. Their work has been
shown at the Venice Biennale 2005, the ICA, London, Artsway Hampshire,
and at exhibitions and film festivals internationally.

Further joint and solo projects can be accessed at: www.electronicsunset.org

For further press information, please contact Alison Wright, press
consultant for The Arts Catalyst on 01608 811 474 or email
alison@alisonwrightpr.com
http://www.artscatalyst.org