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AMI CLARKE  -  UNKNOWN UNKNOWNS
15th May - 31st May 2009

Opening 14th May 6-9pm

For this solo exhibition the artist will present a new body of work consisting of a conundrum of folding screens. The works self-assemblage flat pack form, references modular and temporary architectural space, and such structures as the ubiquitous ‘exhibition stand’ of the trade fair. The screen device unfolds in the gallery space, both navigating territory, whilst refuting permanence as it becomes its own logo, its own signage and legend.

The title for the show draws on a comment made by Donald Rumsfeld, the former US Secretary of Defense during a news briefing in 2002, that betrays itself in its absurdist rendering of an epistemological investigation into what might be regarded as the truth. As a statement essentially designed to put the general public and media off the scent, it displayed a remarkable lack of self-awareness, as it alludes to the actual activity of ‘covering up’ the truth by its very mention of unknown knowns; of ideological structures that form society itself.

In all the works, a sense of device, of something happening off-screen, so to speak, lingers in the air. The shift in perception that is experienced whilst viewing ‘Studies in Space Intuitions’ hints at this human projection. Clarke’s work is experienced as a device or stratagem to manoeuvre the viewer away from that which may at first seem apparent.

Created for Campbell Works editions, the audio work ‘Anti-clockwise’, a dub plate recording of the bathwater turning down the plug-hole in the northern hemisphere, and takes a common misunderstanding; an international urban absurdity, as its reference point. The work itself relies on the clockwise device of the turntable, not only to play the recording, but in doing so, to simultaneously delete itself. The remainder of the work is a blank vinyl disc, representative, perhaps, of the equator.

Unknown Unknowns… “ ..the things we do not yet know that we do not know.” Donald Rumsfeld

Film Screening and discussion night
Thursday 29th May 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm Start

To accompany the installation there will be a film screening and an informal discussion with the artist around the themes raised by the installation.

The Empty Gallery Interviews
by Claire Nichols & Altair Roelants

2. Unknown Unknowns Ami Clarke

Introducing the second in the series of The Empty Gallery Interviews: A live conversation piece in which art writers Claire Nichols and Altair Roelants will talk with artist Ami Clarke about the upcoming show Unknown Unknowns.

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SUSTRANS PROJECT
Campbell Works Public Art Commission
Brooke and Evering Road N16 / E8  

Project Background

• As part of a nationwide project co-ordinated by Sustrans and funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, the junction of Brooke / Evering Road was chosen as 1 of 11 sites nationally to receive funding to create a DIY Streets Project. The aim of the project is to test a model for making streets safer and more attractive and at a low cost; the idea for it followed the government’s announcement that there is no further funding for retro-fit home zones.

• Residents had appealed to the London Borough of Hackney for action on this junction because of concerns around speeding traffic, a confusing junction layout and rat-running.

• In the Autumn 2008 the residents then voted through an open submission process to commission Campbell Works to create the artwork design for the junction makeover.

Proposal

In Dec 2008 Campbell Works began the process of consultation with the project partners and residents to design a new functionality for the space. The residents identified that traffic speeds are dangerously high and the junction no longer functions as a safe place for pedestrian crossing, Campbell Works were given the initial road plans by Sustrans, as a starting point for the new layout.
From this drawing Campbell Works created three possible design routes that were presented to the residents over two separate meetings for further discussion. Within these proposals Campbell Works carefully considered and included the desires expressed by the residents.

These included:

• To create a ‘sense of place’ and pedestrian focus at the junction
• To unify the four corners of the junction
• To reference to the ancient River Brooke that still flows under this area.
• To reflect the different users of the junction
• To create the opportunity to relax and play for passing school children.
• To include vegetation or trees
• To brighten the colour of the area

To achieve this Campbell Works proposes to treat the whole junction, unifying its aesthetics and functionality.

The design concept behind the residents preferred design takes the river as its starting point. Campbell Works proposed, ‘What if an imaginary stone was thrown into this river, and the ripples were allowed to flow across the whole area?’ The final design reflects the radiating ripples with sympathetic materials that have a historical relationship to the area. The concentric circles radiating across the junction are to be created by inlaying cobble sets into the road surface. Text base artwork interweaves with these cobbles where the circles intersect with the pavement areas. The text strips would be cast in iron reflecting the traditional use of cast metal work that has been laid within pavements throughout London for over a hundred years. The content for the text artwork will be edited from proposals drawn from residents, including scripts from several local poets. The proposed surface of the pedestrian areas, would be a bound pea shingle / gravel, (or similar texture / colour surface such as spray grip) commonly used in Hackney around tree bases, which would provide a warmer colour, unify the junction and be affordable within the projects limited budget. The added advantage of this material over ‘solid/sealed paving is it is permeability to water so greatly improving the survival rates of the new proposed trees.