Julian Wild: Incomplete Systems

About

The annual exhibition at Burghley Sculpture Garden in 2011 will feature the dynamic sculptures of Julian Wild and premiere a series of his constructed systems, which counterbalance transparent structures with singular geometries. The see through nature of his abstract sculptures will aid their integration into the lush gardens of Capability Brown. Highlights in the exhibition will include a large permanent commission in stainless steel, alongside six giant spheres constructed from red hoola hoops that will float around Burghley's lake. Hoola Systems move around the lake in a kind of unscripted ballet, often spinning around their own centres. This creates a rather poetic red drawing in the lake that has neither beginning nor end. Intriguingly, these sculptures seem incomplete because much of their mass resides below the water's surface; yet at moments of stillness, when the wind dies down, their form is completed by reflections in the water. Further connections between site and materials will derive from Wild's recycling of agricultural scrap from several of Burghley's tied farms, which the sculptor has coagulated into a singular form and then galvanised. The resulting sculpture Revival, is a bursting star of energy that has reinvigorated what were once tired and discarded materials. Wild will also premiere three vertical sculptures that extend his sculptural vocabulary upwards. These will be installed in the wild flower areas and after May, will appear to burst out from within these floral retreats. New Shoot makes the most dynamic intervention and being over 5m tall is visible from the main pathways leading towards the gardens. Its angular zig-zag geometry implies a man-made symbol for growth or perhaps even a stylised lightening bolt drawn down from the sky in a tonal arc of shifting reds and oranges. Incomplete Systems will also feature the communal sculpture Making the Connection, in which the public can contribute to its creation. The work will be located in the Great Hall of Burghley House and progressively help describe its architecture as it grows. This exciting participatory event is suitable for all ages and abilities due to the use of low-tech plastic tubing that can be simply pushed together to build sculptural forms. The event is currently scheduled for Saturday the 16th of July; so if you fancy helping to create a masterpiece yourself, then feel free to come along. That weekend will also see the unveiling of Wild's permanent commission for Burghley, Exploded System; based on an explosion of highly polished stainless steel discs that will reflect the gardens and viewers from multiple angles.