TIDAL is a location specific collaboration between composer Graham Fitkin and visual artist John Keys focusing on the interaction and evolving symbiosis between sea and land, and the metaphorical significance of this precarious ‘edge’.
The installation will include large animated projections and 28 minutes of new music which will tour to UK coastal venues.
Collaborative process
John Keys and Graham Fitkin’s collaboration has arisen from a common interest in a particular beach in West Cornwall. They consider the study of this beach, in particular its tidal rhythms and shifting sand bars, as an opportunity to create an audio/visual work that will explore shared conceptual and aesthetic concerns.
Initial discussions revealed many parallels in their creative processes which they think will be conducive to creating a piece of work that will extend both their practices.
The artists will spend intensive seven day periods on the beach during specific Spring tides, in which periods they will study the movement of the sea over a particular sand bar.
Graham Fitkin will record and decipher the sounds of the sea and compose in situ, whilst John Keys will make numerous drawings of the incoming and outgoing tide. They will discuss their thoughts and ideas regularly during this period.
Both artists will develop their work in their respective studios, communicating frequently as well as visiting the ramp space to design an effective site specific installation.
Concept
Tidal will focus on the interaction and evolving symbiosis between sea and land, and the metaphorical significance of this precarious ‘edge’.
It is a common experience to become entranced and mesmerised by the ever changing boundary that is the sea’s edge. One becomes absorbed in both self and environment simultaneously.
Tidal will explore how this relentless movement of water over sand parallels the human condition and how tidal rhythms and cycles can embody emotion.
It is an observation of how the sea constantly reveals and conceals the land, reminding one of the push and the pull of promise and loss; an immersive experience simultaneously grounded and ephemeral on the threshold between physical and transient worlds.
For tidal drawings click here
For more information about Graham Fitkin click here