Aig Muir • At Sea
At Sea holds the hybrid meanings of being on a vessel out of sight of land, and of experiencing a state of confusion or mentally adrift. The artwork reflects the journey we have all been through over recent years and traverses a lasting impression of Hebridean exploration.
In July 2019, five artists undertook a sailing expedition heading west from Berneray to the remote islands of St Kilda. The residency (titled Island Going) presented an embodied invitation into sea and island ecologies, atmospheres and terrains, and stretched across the longest days of the year, 6 of which were spent at sea, followed by four on land.
Nearly five years later, the artists return with works that stem directly from their shared experience at sea. Using the land and seascapes as a research arena, the artists approach topographies of remoteness, liquidity, navigation, migration, isolation and communication. All of the works exhibited use materials gathered during the expedition including wool, photographs, film and water. This exhibition presents the opportunity to share, question, learn, remember, wonder and reflect.
The residency was guided by Skipper Andy Roger and Meg Roger of Ocean Guides Hebrides, curated by Jon MacLeod and hosted by An Lanntair.
Artists
Rachael Louise Bailey lives in Kent. Her practice involves the study and manipulation of materials, in particular those deemed as insignificant waste.
Alasdair Asmussen Doyle is an artist and researcher based between Belfast and Brussels. His practice draws upon moving-image and filmic heritage to navigate multiple relations of physical places and films.
Beatrice Alvestad Lopez is a visual artist based in Oslo/Stockholm. Her work moves between performative film, sound, installation, and material-based techniques. Environmental narratives and bodily relations are central.
Bethany Rigby is a London based artist. Her work centres on communication technologies and how we use landscape. It has recently been exhibited in the Zeppelin Museum, and the Venice Architecture Biennale.
Dan Shay is based in Glasgow. His work explores our relationship with technology and its effect on our experience of the world, through live performance, installation, experimental moving image, and print. Thanks to the support of Hope Scott Trust.