PYLON

About

PYLON is a mixed media video installation that deals with the topic of Psychosis or precisely Schizophrenia. The installation takes the viewer on a journey with a psychotic young woman Lilly (performed by actress and performance artist, Amber Weyman) who travels on foot as a psychotic experience unravels. The artwork uses moving image and special audio techniques (binaural sound) to convey the psychotic experience to audiences through an immersive installation. Placing the viewer in another reality, another land or different plane of existence where wind, sea, creatures and even cars are telepathically connected to the main protagonist.

The exhibition is a continuation of Paddock’s enquiry into often-overlooked topics of contemporary society in this case mental health. The artwork focuses down and examines the reality of the deeper parts of the brain – the highway between sub conscious and the conscious mind – digging down deep into the Schizophrenic experience and exposing an alternative side of the illness, one where non-violent and caring voices dwell rather than presenting the typically sensationalist interpretation we often see in mainstream media.

For Paddock PYLON marks an important point in his artistic career. “I’m delighted with the opportunity this solo exhibition has given me to push my practice and explore new audio techniques. I have worked in collaboration with experts such as Richard Gott a leading sound recordist to encompass the ‘voice hearers’ experience using binaural sound enabling the audio to be positioned as a ‘voice hearer’ might experience it. I have also worked site-specifically and developed the sculptural element of the installation in direct response to the characteristics of the gallery space, heightening the immersive experience for the audience.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by an essay written by Celia Davies. Following this exhibition PYLON will be reconfigured for the Black Box project space located at the University for the Creative Arts Farnham Campus, Surrey (21- 31 October, Private View 22 October).