Earlier this summer I was shortlisted for the prestigious First@108 award. This year the award has taken a different form and I have been working hard on my response to the theme Memory as well as the challenges of working on a commission for two hospital spaces for patients with dementia.
As is usual with my practice I have taken an approach grounded in scientific research of the subject. I have found it fascinating getting up to speed with the latest neuroscience and neuroanatomy of memory. But have also been really stretching my brain trying to understand the different theories of how the science relates to our embodied experience, with theories of mental models of consciousness and bordering into philosophical realms… As well as these almost existential questions, I also been getting to grips with designing for people whose visual perceptions might be deteriorating due to dementia or Alzheimer’s and all the practicalities of public art commissions. It is quite a challenge. You can get a glimpse of my progress on my facebook page or twitter.
Attached above is the invitation to the opening on Wednesday 7th October (details in text form below). This will be a chance to both see my maquettes and read my proposal as well as the other 4 finalists responses. We will also be doing talks later in the month on the 28th October (details below). So I hope to see you at either the opening or the talks.
Warm regards
Briony
First@108: Public Art Award 2015
Finalist Exhibition open:
8 October – 18 December 2015
Wednesday – Friday 12.30 – 5.30 pm (or by appointment)
Royal British Society of Sculptors
108 Old Brompton road
London SW7 3RA
For more information see the Royal British Society of Sculptors’ website:
rbs.org.uk/awards/first108
For an insight into the experience of such a commission see Briony’s blog post Being pulled in different directions: Commissions
