THE PAINT CANNOn
18th April - 4th May 2024
Alesh Compton
Ned Prizeman
Curated by Elaine ML Tam
This unique event included 3 nights of live performances and closing party showcasing an innovative painting technique using pressurized air and a paint cannon, developed in Paris.The artists utilize recycled materials to create vibrant, large-scale paintings that explore the concept of ‘trace’, reflecting marks or indicators of existence or events, emphasising the transient nature of the artwork and inviting subjective interpretations from viewers.
A painting of a live boxing match between Mattia Guarnera and Freddie (Roofrack) Christie. The gallery becomes a boxing ring where combat meets the cannon, the intention is to capture movement as the fight unfolds.
Guiding the proceedings with authority and precision is referee Richard Leimon, ensuring fair play and adding an extra layer of tension to the spectacle. Providing colorful commentary and insightful analysis is commentator Gabriel Lopez, whose dynamic narration enriches the viewer's experience.
Made up of 5, 2 minute rounds, this explosive battle will feature 5 shots of the cannon as it unleashes bursts of color onto a massive canvas situated within a boxing ring, a breathing painting that evolves in real-time.
This one-of-a-kind performance is limited to an intimate audience of 30, "Fight Night" offers a rare and exclusive experience, allowing attendees to be active participants in this marriage of sport and art. Immerse yourself in the palpable energy as you witness the dance of skill, strategy, and mess unfold before your eyes.
Every movement is a symphony of exertion, each pose pushing the limits of her endurance. The artists investigate the limitations of the body through the transformation of movement which will be captured through traces on paper.
In the second installation of the paint cannon, the performer, Beatrix Haxby invites audiences into a mesmerizing exploration of movement and color. Exploring the tension of holding calisthenics and gymnastics poses, Haxby is intermittently blasted by the cannon to create 3 unique works on paper, where the strains of physical exertion become integral to the artistic process.
Haxby navigates an array of structures and aerial equipment, each posing a testament to her strength and agility. As she contorts her body into various calisthenics and gymnastic positions, the audience witnesses the physical strain and tension etched upon her form. Every movement is a symphony of exertion, each pose pushing the limits of her endurance. The performance will be span over the course of 20 minutes where the performer will hold various poses using gymnastic structures and aerial equipment. The artists investigate the limitations of the body through the transformation of movement which will be captured through traces on paper.
Future-oriented visions of alternative worlds imbue the classical painterly quest with new challenges; the plasticity of the medium, for example, at once imparts reflections on modern materials in Appleby’s work, and stymies the relinquishment of a past depicted by ghostly emanations in Guo’s.
A fusion between exercise, art, and the audience. The central focus of this performance is aerobics, led by performer Monique Humphries who, amidst a range of curated exercises, engages in a series of intense domestic workouts. The custom-made cannon, designed by Ned Prizeman, will interact with the performer's movements, creating a series of paintings on paper capturing various body forms directed through the instructions of Humphreys.
invitations to actively engage with the narrative will be extended to the audience. As the performance unfolds over approximately 15 minutes, audience members are welcomed to join in the workout, transforming the space into an interactive installation where participants become part of the artistry. Whether breaking a sweat alongside Humphries or observing from the sidelines, each individual adds their unique energy to the collective experience.
