Cambridge Sustainability Residency 2013

Residency on Sustainability

Marina and Russell are organising a short residency together with the Global Sustainability Institute and the Cambridge School of Art

Farrago at La Fragua

During the month of October 2012 Marina and Russell had a residency at La Fragua, Spain. They worked on issues related to environment, Russell piece attempts to engage with the ‘politics’ surrounding the idea of nature and more specifically the idea of varying degrees of ‘naturalness’ whereas Marina investigated the problematic of food production. 

Orbital Rover Movie

Orbital Rover (2012)  is an interactive work using time-based media created by Marina Velez and Russell Cuthbert. The piece addresses the boundaries of our vision in a playful way. A camera, installed in a mock sci-fi probe, orbits the viewer's head inquisitively, recording the back and sides of the head, areas not normally seen by ourselves. The orbiting motion echoes that of our universe, from minute electrons to celestrial bodies, and places the viewer's head in the centre. The visual information taken by the Rover provides a unique perspective, a perspective beyond that achievable by our vision alone. The collected footage will be combined to create a short, impromptu film.

From Visualise

‘Limits of Seeing 

@Institute of Astronomy, Sat 23rd June

The Institute of Astronomy in Madingley Road, Cambridge, is the wonderful venue for the second Limits of Seeing event which takes place on afternoon of 23rd June from 3.00 – 6.30 pm.  A series of family friendly art and science interventions will take place across the site, on the lawns and in the observatories as well as inside the main building, in the auditorium and in other spaces.  The event is free and is organised by Visualise in collaboration with the Institute of Astronomy, the Science & Technology Faculty at Anglia Ruskin and Wysing Arts Centre.  Participating artists will include heath bunting, Liliane Lijn, Marina Velez and Russell Cuthbert, Elena Cologni & Susie Olczak and participating scientists will include Dr Joao Linhares, Matilda Biba and Gerry Gilmore, Professor of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Astronomy.

Programme of Events

3.00 – 5.00  pm – Hands on activities inside building (Committee Room) ; Video (Corridor) and Installation in Mezzanine (Elena Cologni); films in Auditorium (Semi-Conductor and Liliane Lijn)Outdoors at/inside Old Observatories/on Lawn: Experimental works by Elena Cologi, Susie Olzcak; Marina Velez and Russell Cuthbert; Vision Science experiences designed by Dr Joao Linhares and Matilda Biba; others tbc and other activities around the site (pick up map at reception)

5.00 – 6.30 pm Auditorium:  Views from Above and Below/Art/Space/Time and Experiment – short presentations and dialogues between artists heath bunting and Liliane Lijn and Gerry Gilmore, Professor of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Astronomy.  Introduced by Professor Carolin Crawford Outreach Officer Institute of Astronomy and Bronac Ferran Guest Curator, Visualise.

Limits of Seeing – Views from Above and Below is a collaborative event organised by Visualise in partnership with Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge  and Wysing Arts Centre curated by Bronac Ferran, Carolin Crawford and Elinor Morgan.

TO FIND INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY PLEASE SEE LINK:

http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/contact/map

Orbital Rover

Marina and Russell presented Orbital Rover at the Institute of Astronomy for the event The Limits of Seeing, organised in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University and Wysing Arts Centre.

Can You See What I see? II

Most important astronomical observatories are placed in high altitude locations such as the Atacama Desert, the Andes or Hawaii, where visibility is optimal as they are situated above clouds, water vapour and other atmospheric elements. However, scientists working in these observatories have to deal with physical and psychological high altitude related medical problems. When discoveries are made at these sites, assuring scientific rigour is paramount. This is normally achieved through a series of cognitive tests that measure both accuracy and speed of thinking, conducted between the scientists in the observatory and those based at sea level. This tension between what it is gained in vision and what may be lost in understanding highlights the idea that we do not necessarily see only with our eyes, but rather with our brains and our consciousness.

This video work uses a poetic and minimal language to express the problematics of achieving universal understanding of concepts and suggests that this process is both visual and verbal. It explores the limits of vision through communication and understanding that is simultaneously inwards and outwards, subjective and objective. 

Can You See What I See? I

Most important astronomical observatories are placed in high altitude locations such as the Atacama Desert, the Andes or Hawaii, where visibility is optimal as they are situated above clouds, water vapour and other atmospheric elements. However, scientists working in these

observatories have to deal with physical and psychological high altitude related medical problems. When discoveries are made at these sites, assuring scientific rigour is paramount. This is normally achieved through a series of cognitive tests that measure both accuracy and speed of thinking, conducted between the scientists in the observatory and those based at sea level. This tension between what it is gained in vision and what may be lost in understanding highlights the idea that we do not necessarily see only with our eyes, but rather with our brains and our consciousness.

This video work uses a poetic and minimal language to express the problematics of achieving universal understanding of concepts and suggests that this process is both visual and verbal. It explores the limits of vision through communication and understanding that is simultaneously inwards and outwards, subjective and objective. 

The Limits of Seeing

Marina presented 'Can You See What I See?' at the Visualise event of The Limits of Seeing at Anglia Ruskin University.

from Visualise

From the THE LIMITS OF SEEING website:

(Art, Space & Perception) 22nd March

EXPERIENCE THE LIMITS OF SEEING an art and science panel, part of Cambridge Science Festival. Continuing Visualise’s exploration of the boundaries of inner and outer space we invite all to the second ART AND SCIENCE CIRCLE: a starry, thought-provoking, fun, interactive, public discussion on The Limits of Seeing, on THURSDAY 22nd MARCH at 7.30 pm, LAB 028, Anglia Ruskin University. With Professor Carolin Crawford, Institute of Astronomy Cambridge; Elinor Morgan, Curator Wysing Arts; Helen Couchman Artist;  Joao Linhares and Matilda Biba, Vision Scientists, Anglia Ruskin University; plus ‘Can You See what I See?’ a new video made specially for the event by Marina Velez and Russell Cuthbert. Don’t miss !! 7.30-9.00 pm. Free event.

In association with Cambridge Science Festival, Anglia Ruskin Science and Technology Faculty and Wysing Arts Centre.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Professor Carolin Crawford is an astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge, and a Fellow of Emmanuel College. Her research focuses on the properties of the most massive galaxies in the Universe, using data collected from the largest ground-based and space telescopes. Carolin combines her research and teaching with her other passion – communicating her love of astronomy to as wide an audience as possible. She runs the outreach programme at the Institute of Astronomy, and in addition to giving many talks on a wide range of astronomical topics, is a regular contributor to both national and local radio programmes. In 2009 Carolin was noted as one of the UKRC’s Women of Outstanding Achievement for the communication of science with a contribution to society. See website – http://www-xray.ast.cam.ac.uk/~csc/cv.html

Helen Couchman (born UK) has exhibited widely, both in the United Kingdom and internationally.  Her first book, WORKERS 工人, June 2008 was exhibited in London and in Hong Kong and will be shown in April 2012 for the first time in Beijing. It takes the form of a series of portraits of the men and women who laboured to build the Olympic park for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her second book, Mrs. West’s Hats (2009) consists of sixty self-portraits, referencing  her maternal grandmother, whose splendidly eccentric collection of hats Couchman wears in the photographs. Later  works include Untitled (Collecting and Dropping) (2009) Cloud series, Yellow lining (2010) and In Beijing (2011). These works address in part her negotiations with the city of Beijing where she has now worked for six years.  She now lives in Beijing and in London. More at www.helencouchman.com.

Dr Joao Linhares: Lecturer in Department of Vision and Hearing Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University. He graduated  in Optometry and Vision Sciences in 2002 from the University of  Minho, Braga, Portugal and was granted a MPhil in 2006, from Manchester University, UK.  He was awarded his PhD doctorate in 2011.  His research interests include hyperspectral imaging, chromatic diversity in complex scenarios and colour vision deficiency.  More at www.linhares.eu.

Joao will be accompanied by his colleague in Anglia Ruskin Vision and Hearing Sciences, Matilda O’Neill-Biba,MCOptom,  who  has a degree in Optometry and Vision Sciences in 2002 from City University, London where she is now undertaking research and currently in the final stages of her PhD.  She is also a visiting lecturer on the MSc Diabetic module, City University. Her research interests include  acquired visual function and colour vision loss in subjects with ocular and systemic conditions (ARMD, Diabetes, MS and Glaucoma); new colour vision and congenital colour vision deficiency and assessment.

Elinor Morgan is  Curator & Programme Director at Wysing Arts Centre which she joined as Operations Director in July 2010. She has been heavily involved with development and commissioning of Wysing’s forthcoming COSMOS residency programme. She was previously Chair of OUTPOST Gallery, Norwich, an artist-run space where she worked with a range of artists and developed various off-site projects. Since its inception Ellie has been keenly involved in the progress of the Eastern Region’s Turning Point network.  She studied History of Art, Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of East Anglia.  More at www.wysingartscentre.org.

Marina Velez and Russell Cuthbert both attained first class degrees from Anglia Ruskin University where they studied BA in Fine Art. Marina is currently completing her second and final year of the Masters in Fine Art course also at ARU.  More at: www.marinavelez.com/

For Limits of Seeing they are in the process of making a new video work ”Can You See What I See?‘

Artists Statement:

Most important astronomical observatories are placed in high altitude locations such as the Atacama Desert, the Andes or Hawaii,  where visibility is optimal as they are situated above clouds, water vapour and other atmospheric elements. However, scientists working in these observatories have to deal with physical and psychological high altitude related medical problems. When discoveries are made at these sites, assuring scientific rigour is paramount. This is normally achieved through a series of cognitive tests that measure both accuracy and speed of thinking, conducted between the scientists in the observatory and those based at sea level. This tension between what it is gained in vision and what may be lost in understanding highlights the idea that we do not necessarily see only with our eyes, but rather with our brains and our consciousness. This video work uses a poetic and minimal language to express the problematics of achieving universal understanding of concepts and suggests that this process is both visual and verbal. It explores the limits of vision through communication and understanding that is simultaneously inwards and outwards, subjective and objective.

Velez/Cuthbert

LAPLAND MOON 2011 (Marina Velez)

_____________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE VENUE:

LAB 028 IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY. ENTER BY FRONT (EAST ROAD) ENTRANCE AND FIND LAB 028  – A ROUND LECTURE THEATRE WITH SPRUNG FLOOR – ON THE LEFT, ALONG THE MAIN CORRIDOR LEADING TO THE LIBRARY.

Farrago Environmentally Friendly Tips

Farrago advocates for a change in the way the financial index is calculated.
Farrago believes that a sustainable and happy world can be achieved by following these simple ideas:

http://indexenvironment.blogspot.com/

Farrago at Kite

Marina Velez and Russell Cuthbert will be showing a piece in the group show Kite

Changing Spaces coverage of the event:

Displacement at 100 Regent St.

February 16th, 2012 

Changing Spaces in collaboration with the Cambridge Film Trust presents Kitefeaturing work from a group of 9 artists exploring the theme of “displacement”.

Pete Jackson’s review describes the work of each artist: “On the ground floor, Hurst’s kinetic sculptures, which greet you as you enter the space, are at first curiously kitsch and then delightfully surprising as the robotics spring into action; Potenza’s totem pole of discarded clothing seems full of mischievous esoteric import; Cuthbert and Velez’ miniature pub with sound track is itself a haunting evocation of changing times and attitudes; whilst Poon’s trademark newspapers are beautifully transformed into a curtain of paper boats of decreasing size, conveying the dead to their rest.

On the first floor, Porter’s upended hearth with plinth/cupboard and china cat chime beautifully with some of the frames from the film itself, which is showing in the same room; Stein’s quirky kitchen inspires a mixture of mirth and mock horror; Manarakis’ prosthetic foot marches into a blank wall, and Martin’s spread of builder’s sand prostrates itself before you, a synecdochal nod to construction, and a perhaps a metaphor for the passage of time.”

A video of the private viewing can be seen here.