ENCOUNTERS: KATIE PATERSON

2 APRIL - 1 JUNE 2008

Lower Gallery, Modern Art Oxford

Press View: Tuesday 1 April, 11am – 1pm

“‘This lagoon is a graveyard of glaciers,’ Paterson said, from her tent by the water. ‘In a way there is something heartbreaking about this, knowing that you are listening to something magnificent being destroyed - but it is also very beautiful, a celebration of nature.’” The Guardian

Modern Art Oxford presents emerging artist Katie Paterson’s first exhibition in a UK public gallery made possible by the support of Virgin Mobile.

Katie Paterson creates poetic works of art that address our physical landscape in unimagined and inspiring ways. Offering fresh insight into the imaginative potential of present-day technologies, Paterson gives new meaning to the conceptual tradition of art as idea.

Paterson generated excitement around the world with her work Vatnajökull (the sound of), presented as part of her 2007 Slade School Degree Show, inviting visitors to call a number that connected them to Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland from where they could hear the sounds of ice melting. Vatnajökull (the sound of) was produced with the assistance of Virgin Mobile who provided funding and technical support to realise the work.

With Virgin Mobile’s support, Paterson re-presents Vatnajökull (the sound of) as part of her exhibition in Modern Art Oxford’s Lower Gallery, together with the haunting Earth-Moon-Earth (Moonlight Sonata Reflected from the Surface of the Moon).

Suzanne Cotter, Acting Director and Senior Curator at Modern Art Oxford, said, “Exhibiting Vatnajökull (the sound of), at Modern Art Oxford gives the piece a fresh context and status. Rather than lasting just seven days, the exhibition will last over a month giving many more people the chance to participate. There is demonstrable public appetite for the idea – Katie’s phone still rings.”

Commenting on the project, Simon Dornan from Virgin Mobile said: “When Katie first approached us in 2007, we absolutely loved the idea. We’re thrilled to be working with Katie again to bring the work to Modern Art Oxford; while mobile technology is at the heart of the work, it’s great to get people thinking and talking about the mobile phone in a cultural, rather than functional context”.

Katie Paterson is the fourth artist to participate in Modern Art Oxford’s encounters programme, which includes exhibitions, displays, talks, activities and special events with the aim of inspiring more people to enjoy and engage with contemporary art. Katie will work with students from Windale Primary School, one of Modern Art Oxford’s partner schools. Virgin Mobile have supported aspects of the educational workshops at Windale.

Katie's flights to Iceland have been provided by Iceland Express.

Ends

For further press information and images please contact Sara Dewsbery, Press & Marketing Officer on 01865 813813, email sara.dewsbery@modernartoxford.org.uk

For information on Virgin Mobile’s involvement in the project, please contact Alex Wilkinson at Borkowski on 020 7404 3000, email alex@borkowski.co.uk


Encounters is supported by the David Elliott Fund.
Encounters: Katie Paterson is sponsored by:

VIRGIN MOBILE
DOLPHINEAR
MARKSON PIANOS
ICELAND EXPRESS
ROUTESAFE

Press contact

For further press information and images please contact Sara Dewsbery on 01865 813813.


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