[Immediate]

Bloc Space 71 Eyre Lane Sheffield S1 4RE 0114 2723155 www.blocprojects.co.uk info@blocprojects.co.uk

Press release

Neil Webb


The Stars In Us All

Artist Neil Webb presents an immersive sonic environment for his new exhibition The Stars In Us All at Bloc in Sheffield. Drawing influence from Brandon LaBelle’s Perspectives On Sound Art, as well as sonic artists William Basinski, Brian Eno and Thomas Köner, Webb’s new work provides an absorbing space that invites contemplation and meditation.

The exhibition features a number of monoliths attached to the gallery walls, referencing the mysterious alien intelligence encountered in 2001: A Space Odyssey. In the film, the Monolith transmits messages throughout deep space, communicating to different elements of itself. When astronaut Dave Bowman encounters the Monolith, his final transmission before entering the stargate is, “My God, it’s full of stars.” Bowman is eventually transformed by the intelligence into a timeless existence and born again as the ‘star child’. He later becomes a messenger between the Monolith and the human race.

Each component of the exhibition doubles as a source of unearthly sounds, using NXT surface-exciting speaker technology that allows objects to be transformed into speakers. A mixture of virtual classical instruments, Mellotron and field recordings of choirs, transmission signals and signal tones are emitted through multiple channels into the space, whilst a bench in the gallery also produces a low vibration, functioning as a sub-woofer. The use of this technology allows every element of the work, as well as the fabric of the gallery itself, to be connected through sound vibration. The glossy black surfaces of the monoliths themselves invite quiet, inward reflection, completing the work’s all-encompassing ambience.

A further influence cited by Webb is the theory of Quantum Holography, as championed by Apollo astronaut Ed Mitchell. The concept considers that the information of the whole exists in every constitutional part; that a tiny particle might contain all the information pertaining to everything that exists or has ever existed. Through his use of hypnotic sounds and minimal aesthetics the artist encourages the audience to transform into ‘star children’ themselves, and to connect with the universe beyond.

NOTES TO EDITORS/
GALLERY OPENING TIMES:

Entrance to the gallery is free

EXHIBITION RUNS FROM: 3 - 18 NOVEMBER 2007

Thursday to Sunday 12-6pm
Private view: Friday 2 November 7-9pm
Artists Talk: Thursday 15 November 6pm

CONTACTS:
Katie Owens 07799 270777
BLOCspace (gallery), 71 Eyre Lane, Sheffield S1 4RB
BLOCprojects (office), 5 Sylvester Street, Sheffield S1 4RN - 0114 2723155
info@blocprojects.co.uk

FURTHER INFO:
Further information about the exhibition space and artists at Bloc Studios can be found at www.blocprojects.co.uk

Tags: Exhibition