Sisyphus in Retrograde

About

‘Sisyphus in Retrograde’ presents the works of 5 contemporary artists whose practices reference ancient knowledge and incorporate the activation of sculpture through performance, kinetics and sound. Questioning the symbolism of materials and forms, these artists are linked by their fascination with the ritual object, the point of tension before collapse and the transfiguration of physical forms through the activation of sound, movement and touch. Together they pose questions about possible futures and sustainability within culture and environment.

SOL BAILEY-BARKER’s kinetic and sonic-sculptures make audible the alphabet of form within his work whilst referencing a lineage of sacred objects dating from the neolithic axe to contemporary machines. Presenting a new installation which creates an eerie sense of both dystopia/utopia, Bailey-Barker dreams up possible futures and reflects an obsession with the development of technology throughout the ages; immersing the viewer into his pink glowing laboratory. ADELINE DE MONSEIGNAT explores the way inanimate objects trigger emotional responses and alter the psychology of built environments. Through a screening of her film 'In The Flesh' and sculptural works developed during her residence in Mexico, she explores global histories and materials at the cornerstone of the worlds conception. EVY JOKHOVA excavates the creation of tradition and the foundation of social systems through architectural design presenting a new multichannel film and
installation. NISSA NISHIKAWA uses movement and ritual in combination with glass and ceramic objects to revisit and redefine rites of passage and reflect on the current crisis of lost communication between ecology and communities. Her new sculptural work is a living alter of one hundred and eight regenerative devices offering resources to the soil. HARRISON PEARCE’s installations present machines which push his sculptural forms to breaking point, whilst providing a framework to support them, evoking a metaphorical relationship to familial and societal structures.

Exploring the limits of their materials, these artists use sensorial elements to play with the
audiences expectations and to challenge our relationship to symbolism and form. Each hasresearch based practices which cross the boundaries between art and science. For instance, responding to global media concern surrounding the call to protection of insects that are rapidly becoming extinct, SOL BAILEY-BARKER shines importance on the ‘back-burner of ecosystems’ in his work. A large steel pyramid encases a biosphere housing a diverse ecosystem, including spring tails, wood lice and a praying mantis. Like Sisyphus eternally pushing his boulder uphill, these artists return repeatedly to their subject matter posing questions about how we can use ancient knowledge to develop sustainably in light of the imminent environmental crisis of the era of the anthrophocene. Perhaps posing another question, is human activity as the dominant force progressive, will we save ourselves, or are we in retrograde?

‘SISYPHUS IN RETROGRADE’

SOL BAILEY-BARKER, ADELINE DE MONSEIGNAT,
NISSA NISHIKAWA, HARRISON PEARCE, EVY JOKHOVA

Aindrea Contemporary x London Curatorial
17-19 Triton Street NW1 3BG

Private View, Tuesday 9 April 2019 6-9pm

Exhibition 10 April - 6 May 2019