Lost Energy Summer Exhibition by George Cole: Artist in Residence in association with Hauser & Wirth. Virtual Launch: Monday 11^th May 2020.

Lost Energy Virtual Art Exhibition

In collaboration with the community of King’s Bruton and its talented cohort of young creatives, I am delighted to launch the (now virtual) Summer Exhibition,'Lost Energy', in association with Hauser & Wirth. The exhibition is an invitation to experience the results of this wholly collaborative process - kinetic sculptures, a wave-inspired installation of combined energy forms to immerse the senses, and different aspects of the narrative with moving image to discover.

Throughout, the aim has been to forge links to culture and the natural world, open a new dialogue and connect communities inside, outside, near and far.

Exploration beyond the classroom has given pupils the opportunity to connect with environmental issues first-hand. These invaluable experiences have been a catalyst for kick starting the process for our light trails, Relief and Plaster Energy Forms individually created over a series of workshops under the theme of ‘Energy’.

I am so impressed with the work George Cole, our Artist in Residence (supported by Hauser & Wirth) has done with King’s pupils in this exhibition. Exploration beyond the classroom has given the pupils the opportunity to connect with environmental issues first-hand through a range of educational experiences. These include a series of visits to Carymoor Environmental Trust: a pioneering land restoration and habitat creation across 100 acres of capped landfill just outside Castle Cary in Somerset.

Through these experiences, George and the pupils have collaborated on a wide range of environmental topics and sustainable practices such as: regenerating wildlife; sustainable building design; and renewable energy generation. Whilst exploring the landfill and waste management of the site, the impact of waste generated from the 1970s to the present day was evident. This invaluable experience not only provides an alternative voice with which to discuss environmental issues but also elucidates the processes and cycles that connect us all.

Ian Wilmshurst - Headmaster

Energy Light Trails

In collaboration with community of King's Bruton and its cohort of young creatives, I am delighted to share our energetic experiments with the medium of photography. Over the spring term we had an opportunity to create our own light trails in response to the theme of 'Energy'. Activating our initial designs with an element of performance and movement to capture our energy forms by drawing with light.

I have always been fascinated by the transference of energy from rainfall to river water, and the movement and flow of rivers. Cycles in nature and the resulting energy is a key motif running through my work. Through 'Lost Energy', I will continue to reconnect with the natural environment by returning the various forms of energy to their source to complete the cycle.

George Cole, Artist in Residence, King's Bruton.

‘Lost Energy’ Virtual Tour

Come, let me take you on a virtual tour and share my highlights, inspiration and collaborative process…

INSPIRATION

The journey began through a continued fascination with the transference of energy from rainfall to river water, and the movement and flow of rivers. Taking a step back in time exploring local rivers as a starting point and discovering past and present water mills and foundries. These repeated journeys on foot have given bountiful opportunity to connect with nature and the community.

A fragment of a Mill Stone discovered from the Old Iron Works, Mells represents a past industry once powered by water. This iron works site, once produced agricultural edge-tools from as early as the 1700s, that were exported all over the world.

Also, I discovered the Mendip Power Group, a community engaged in the production of renewable energy. Focusing on water mills that have been transformed into hydroelectric turbines offered a source of inspiration and gave an opportunity to connect and engage with site specific locations, such a Telliford Mill, near Bath.

PROCESS

Kinetic sculpture: Walking the line pushing the possibilities of bending and forming wire to create a continuous free-flowing rotating wire sculpture to evoke the sense of motion. Whilst taking inspiration from a highly expressive individual known for his deep exploration into colour theory, playful perspective and use of line. Hopefully, this resonates with you "a drawing is simply a line going for a walk" Paul Klee.

Two-part mould casting: Behind behind the scenes in the studio, I have been casting multiples of the hydro-turbine inspired energy form. 

After, there were months of experimentation and exploring methods of bending and forming wire to create a free-flowing metal armature sculpture. Throughout the intention has been to capture a sense of motion using an exterior layer of plaster, working into the surface with expressive mark making.  The final task was to bring all these elements together to create a large-scale immersive wave installation, the first steps for these energy forms before completing the cycle and returning them back to nature.

COLLABORATION

Relief Energy Forms: Exploration beyond the classroom has given pupils the opportunity to connect with environmental issues first-hand through a range of educational experiences, include a series of visits to Carymoor Environmental Trust. Through these experiences’ pupils have collaborated on a wide range of environmental topics and sustainable practices such as regenerating wildlife, sustainable building design, and renewable energy generation. This invaluable experience was the catalyst for kick staring the process for these relief panels individually created over a series of workshops to form a grid like structure under the theme of ‘Energy’.

Plaster Energy Forms: These dynamic plaster forms reveal the traces of hand and fingerprints made through the process sculpting and working the plaster using the palms of your hands.

FUTURE

Throughout, the aim has been to forge links to culture and the natural world, open a new dialogue and connect communities inside, outside, near and far.

I have always been fascinated by the transference of energy from rainfall to river water, and the movement and flow of rivers in particular have been the inspiration for a lot of my practice. Cycles in nature and the resulting energy is a key motif running through my work. I will continue to reconnect with the natural environment by returning the various forms of energy to their source to complete the cycle.

Flickr album: Lost Energy Art Exhibition | Height: auto | Theme: Default

Since his arrival at King’s Bruton, George Cole has been inspirational. He has welcomed the creative ideas of the pupils and allowed them to contribute to the concepts surrounding his work. His vigour, inquisitiveness and passion for our environment and art has been infectious. All of the pupils that have been involved in his creative journey have taken great pride in their role and gained a real understanding of how art can represent environmental issues ranging from the decomposition of waste to the transfer of kinetic energy. It has been George’s enthusiasm and unwavering belief in his goal that has been so impressive.

With this exhibition we are seeing the culmination of months of planning, educating and creating and we are delighted for him that he now has the opportunity to share his passion and inspirational artwork with the wider audience. The work on display leaves you with the notion that art and energy are symbiotic, intertwined, perpetually changing and in motion, never lost, just transferred and reconfigured in subtle and harmonious ways. George Cole’s response to this theme has been emphatic.

Seamus Harkness - Acting Head of Art