Broken Hearts Requiem is a 16 screen video installation displaying an
ode to the lonely. It is a look at the ways in which humans
communicate sorrow in public and private and how emotions are
universally translated into songs for everyone to attach their woes to.
The piece takes its direction from the sorrowful act of wailing which led
the artist to youtube where she probed into public, commercial and
ritualistic displays of this act.
The love song recited by both men and women, but most frequently
howled by the female has a poignant role when it comes to public and
commercial wailing. It asks and often expects the audience to be able
to tap into their own memory bank of past love. Pulling on the listener’s
heartstrings, the pitch and melody resonate in a very basic and
immediate way.
What is it to perform emotion? It is almost like a re-enactment, in many
religions preaching and repetitive chanting are used as a way to drive
people into an almost ecstatic state of wailing, whipping congregations
into an emotional frenzy. Similar scenes can be witnessed at a concert
with both singer and their “congregation” in a heightened state of
emotion led by the lyrics over melodical weeping and screaming of
empathy.
As with all of her work, Collings-James does not attempt to condemn or
point fingers as to what is or isn’t a valid form of communication. She is
interested in what both the viewer and performer get out of a process
that seems almost cathartic at times. To sing a broken heart might help
towards mending it?
The exhibition itself will be an experience. As you enter the darkened,
enclosed space, the 16 faces of prominent female singers will slowly be
revealed building to a crescendo of sound, and floor to ceiling visuals
that will leave the viewer overwhelmed and the passer by fascinated.
Location: M.E.N Gallery – 30a Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP
Opening: Thurs 24th March 2011 / 6-9pm
Dates: Fri 25th March – Thurs 31st March 2011
Times: Daily noon – 6pm
Curated by: Lauren Jones (Art Barter)
Contact: lauren@artbarter.co.uk
07976-440-762
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Phoebe Collings-James graduated with a first in Fine Art from
Goldsmiths University in 2009. Since then she has participated in group
shows in London, Glasgow, Lisbon, Berlin and Beirut. Phoebe uses a
range of mediums including illustration, video, photography,
performance and installations. Often using found images from youtube
and the internet her work is instantly engaging and can be subtly erotic
and disturbing. She has been described as raw and intense as well as
“a breath of fresh air in today’s mopey (art) scene of obsessive, passive
introspectives.” (Dean Mayo Davies)
Phoebe was born in East London in 1987 where she continues to live
and work.
www.phoebecollingsjames.com
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