Emmanuelle Waeckerle invites

Crossing Alba:
Morven Gregor. Gerry Loose. Ian Stephen. Emmanuelle Waeckerle
PRESS RELEASE……….PRESS RELEASE……….PRESS RELEASE

The Collins Gallery presents an installation which documents two concurrent and contrasting voyages by water across Scotland.

Explore these two expeditions and the adventures of all four artists- feel the rough seas and harsh winds experienced by Ian and Emmanuelle and the calm rolling canal waters in which Morven and Gerry rowed along. Crossing Alba comprises film, photography, sculpture, textiles, poetry and prose all relating to and inspired by these two boat journeys undertaken by four intrepid artists in the wintery Easter of 2010.

Through these artworks we can see that although they are both boats afloat on the water their journeys are very different. Ian and Emmanuelle were very much alone on their journey, with only fellow sailor Sean there to help them arrive safely in Stornoway. It was a journey of strength, exhaustion and independence. With no one to help or encourage them along their way it was an exhilarating 40 hour battle against the elements with nothing but stormy seas and unsettling skies.

Gerry and Morven took a slower pace as were their intentions and through their observations of the landscape, wildlife and passer-bys we can get a real feel of the joys of taking things slowly and absorbing the inspiration with each row of the oars. More time for talking and sharing words and thoughts with each other and those they met on the way, receiving a helping hand and the occasional offer of a cup of tea- these really were two extreme opposites in the world of boating expeditions. Their ideas for this exhibition were in the making for nearly nine years and the end result of these four artists’ journeys brings us out into the water, for better and for worse!

All four artists are interdisciplinary in their practice:

Ian Stephen is a former coastguard, based in Lewis, he is also a poet, storyteller, author and playwright.

Emmanuelle Waeckerle is based in Farnham and France, produces artists’ book and works in film, photography and performance.

Gerry Loose, based in and around Glasgow, is a poet and horticulturist who often combines these two disciplines.

Morven Gregor, photographer and artistic director of the ‘Birds of Paradise’ touring Theatre Company, also lives in Glasgow. Collaborative projects with Gerry Loose have included “From Kyoto to Carbeth: poems and plants from the hills”, displayed in the Collins Gallery in 2008.

Crossing Alba is supported by an illustrated publication.

Further information/images are available from the Collins Gallery:
Tel: 0141 548 2558
Email: collinsgallery@strath.ac.uk

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Posted by Maria Kapajeva on August 5^th 2010