This summer, Modern Art Oxford presents a major new commission by artist James Capper.

Ripper Teeth in Action brings to a close a three-year programme of off-site commissions and residencies on the Rose Hill estate in Oxford – Art in Rose Hill – led by Modern Art Oxford and generously supported by The Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Final Event: James Capper In Conversation with Richard Cork

Thursday 22 September, 7pm, Free - booking essential on 01865 813800 or online.

James Capper in conversation with art critic and broadcaster Richard Cork, reflecting on Ripper Teeth in Action and screening a new film documenting the project.

 

Visit the Additional Resources section to see photos of Ripper Teeth in Action in Rose Hill and watch Hector Castells-Matutano film here:

Inspired by the aesthetics and actions of large-scale construction machinery, Capper will employ a set of steel ‘ripper teeth’ of his own design to work on sections of land around Rose Hill. In a series of live performances taking place throughout August, the artist will use an excavator vehicle to wield these custom-built fittings and explore their capacity for mark-making on the landscape. The commission responds to the physical regeneration of residential areas and its impact on the environment and local communities.

Both machine aesthetic and mechanical processes are central to Capper’s work. A source of inspiration are the numerous experimental and prototype earthmoving machines that were developed by Robert Gilmour LeTourneau in the 1960s.

An accompanying exhibition of drawings, concept sketches and technical blueprints in Modern Art Oxford’s Project Space explores Capper’s development process. His large-scale moving sculpture sculpture Tread Toe is also on display in Rose Hill complementing the ongoing activities of Ripper Teeth in Action. Click here to find out more.

Capper’s work has been shown at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, where he was awarded the Jack Goldhill Prize for Sculpture (2009). He has also made two solo exhibitions in London at the Hannah Barry Gallery (2008 & 2010). He was shortlisted for the Jerwood Sculpture Prize in 2009.

Art in Rose Hill is a programme of visual arts activities organised by Modern Art Oxford taking place in Rose Hill, Oxford and at the Gallery, supported by a major grant from The Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Further works from James Capper are on view at Bold Tendencies Sculpture Project 5, Peckham, London (30 June – 30 September 2011) and at the Glyndebourne Festival, Sussex (21 May – 28 August 2011).

Visit the Additional Resources section to hear an interview about the project with Sarah Mossop, Head of Learning & Partnerships at Modern Art Oxford.

James Capper will create temporary interventions on the landscape in and around the Rose Hill Estate, Oxford. All public areas used will be returned to their normal state after the project.

With special thanks to Oxford Bus Company and Hannah Barry Gallery, London for their generous support.

We would also like to thank:

Taylor Wimpey

Oxford City Council

Rose Hill Community Centre

Rose Hill News

James Capper, Ripper, 2009. Steel, electric motor, control levers, concrete blocks, cable. Courtesy Cass Sculpture Foundation

Event Dates

• Art in Rose Hill Commission 02.08.2011 — 26.08.2011

  This summer, for its final commission in the Art in Rose Hill programme, Modern Art Oxford is working with sculptor James Capper. Both machine aesthetic and mechanical processes are central to Capper’s work.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 04.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Thursday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: Verge on Lenthall Road, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 05.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Friday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: Verge on Lenthall Road, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 11.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Thursday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: Building site next to 45 Nowell Road, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 12.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Friday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: The Oval, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 18.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Thursday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: Field off Spencer Crescent, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 19.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Friday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: Field off Spencer Crescent, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• Walking Tour 20.08.2011 at 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

  Saturday, 1.30pm. Free, just turn up — no booking required. Meet at Rose Hill School for a walking tour of the project with the artist, including Tread Toe and a demonstration of Ripper Teeth in Action.

• Walking Tour 20.08.2011 at 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

  Saturday, 3pm. Free, just turn up — no booking required. Meet at Rose Hill School for a walking tour of the project with the artist, including Tread Toe and a demonstration of Ripper Teeth in Action.

• Walking Tour 21.08.2011 at 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

  Sunday, 1.30pm. Free, just turn up — no booking required. Meet at Rose Hill School for a walking tour of the project with the artist, including Tread Toe and a demonstration of Ripper Teeth in Action.

• Walking Tour 21.08.2011 at 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

  Sunday, 3pm. Free, just turn up — no booking required. Meet at Rose Hill School for a walking tour of the project with the artist, including Tread Toe and a demonstration of Ripper Teeth in Action.

• Project Celebration 21.08.2011 at 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

  Sunday, 4.30-6pm. Free, just turn up — no booking required. Venue: The Ballroom, Rose Hill Community Centre, The Oval, Rose Hill. Following the walking tour, join us for a celebration of the residency and a chance to meet the artist and the Art in Rose Hill programme team.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 25.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Thursday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: Field off Spencer Crescent, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• Earth-Marking Performance with Ripper Teeth 26.08.2011 at 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  Friday, 1-4pm. Free, just turn up - no booking required. Location: Field off Spencer Crescent, Rose Hill. Join artist James Capper to see his specially designed 'ripper teeth' put to work on land around Rose Hill, Oxford.

• James Capper in conversation with Richard Cork 22.09.2011 at 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  Thursday, 7pm, Modern Art Oxford. Free - booking essential on 01865 813800. James Capper in conversation with art critic and broadcaster Richard Cork, reflecting on Ripper Teeth in Action and screening a new film documenting the project.

  BOOK TICKETS

  James Capper Talk — TICKET SALES CLOSED!

Event Support & Sponsors

Oxford Bus Company, Hannah Barry Gallery, Taylor Wimpey, Oxford City Council

If you would like to sponsor or support an event please contact us