James Holcombe & Adam Asnan with Steven Ball
London Light Reading
Wednesday 28 October 2009, at 7pm
Light Reading’s ninth series continues with a screening of recent works by artist James Holcombe performed collaboratively with artist Adam Asnan. no.w.here’s project space will be transformed into an intimately immersive space where the works will use its potential to construct an encounter with them as well as enabling critical debate and discussion. Holcombe will present seven works including LEY FARM (2001-2009), CHAMPION FIX (2009), LOMO/JOBO (2009), GRIM’S DYKE 2 (2008), GRAIN TOWER (2006-2007), A PECK OF DUST (2006-2008) and HANGER LANE HERACLEUM MANTEGAZZIANUM (2001-2004). Artist Steven Ball has been invited to respond to the works; to question and provoke dialogue and discussion that will form a bridge between an encounter with the works and a critical dialogue with the audience.
James Holcombe’s work is a collision of working processes that explores the expanded outcomes that are possible through combinations of chance, improvisation and structure within the making and encounter with sound and image. Holcombe often engages subjects that play out their physical temporariness through a conceptual and physical treatment of decomposition; of the subject and of the material of film itself. Cycles of decay, rot and the ephemeral visible in works such as GRAIN TOWER (2006-2007) and HANGER LANE HERACLEUM MANTEGAZZIANUM (2001-2004) work with a representation and materiality of the image on a level of imperfection and reduction. Our encounter with them occurs conversely through an expansion of visual and aural registers. Holcombe sensitively explores the technical aspects and potential for the representation and perception of the image through improvised sound techniques, expanded visual formats and the nature of performative collaboration.
James Holcombe’s work has been exhibited throughout the UK and Europe. Screenings include Serpentine Gallery, Videoex Zurich, “Starting From Scratch” Rotterdam, Evolution Leeds, Tate Modern, Avanto Helsinki. He has also performed sound pieces throughout the UK since 2001 and leads workshops on the various technical aspects of filmmaking at no.w.here.
Adam Asnan is a sound artist specialising in Acousmatic music, completing an MA at City University, London. Adam's work explores various types of sound material, set to an array of idiosyncratic operations, often using the loudspeaker as an instrument in itself. Within his practice lies a predilection for the classic Musique Concrete traditions, attempting to identify with the original theoretical/aesthetic framework proposed by Pierre Schaeffer et al. Adam's work has been featured in and around London, Oslo, Marrakech, Prague and Paris, as stand-alone acousmatic works, artist-film collaborations or free improvisation performance.
Steven Ball has worked in a range of moving image and sound media, including super-8 film and digital video, as single screen works, in installation, and on the web. His current practice encompasses video performance and sound work, concentrating on location specificity and the spoken word. Recent projects include AFTER LETHABY (video performance with Martin Blazicek, Lethaby Gallery) and “Figuring Landscapes” (co-curator with Catherine Elwes, Tate Modern and tour). He is Research Fellow at the British Artists’ Film and Video Study Collection at Central Saint Martins.
Light Reading is an ongoing series of critical dialogues that engage artists, writers and curators in conversation around a selected artist’s body of work. To book or to be included on the mailing list for future events, please contact: <[email protected]>.
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Light Reading
3rd Floor, 316-318 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 0AG
Nearest Tube / Train: Bethnal Green
Tickets: £5 door / £4 advance / £3 members & students
Telephone: 020 7729 4494
Email: [email protected]
Places are limited so booking is essential