Above / Below
Series of three environment based films, with accompanying silent books (mutus liber). The works loosely explore the idea of viewpoints and a sense of balance in the alchemical energy contained within opposite forces in nature. The title is derived from Alchemical writings of the Middle Ages; 'As above, so below' which relates a concept laid out in the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus: "That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above, corresponds to that which is Below."
Horizon interpretation proposes a false horizon that appears to correspond with the visual division between the sea and the sky. The horizon is subjective and relates only to my own eye level viewpoint. Using lens based recording media flattens that perspective creating the illusion that we are all sharing the same viewpoint. The idea of a horizon that can define wether something is above or below it suggests a fairly binary value and alludes to the idea that there is a clearly defined line separating the psychological spaces we inhabit.
Above / Below shows two alternate viewpoints of the same piece of water and explores the ambiguity of the two points of view. The aerial and underwater perspectives provide an authoritative surveillance viewpoint that initially empowers the viewer. At first it is clear which is which and that the height and depth relate to each other, over time this becomes disorientating and unclear.
Cylinder comprises an object in a questionable condition of either falling very slowly into an abyss or being suspended in a state of weightlessness. There is very little in the environment to provide a point of reference and it is not clear if the state of these visual clues are being influenced by the presence of the object itself and the filming equipment.
Produced between 2016/17 -
'Line' was shown at Culture Lab - Newcastle University as part of HADADI
Horizon interpretation proposes a false horizon that appears to correspond with the visual division between the sea and the sky. The horizon is subjective and relates only to my own eye level viewpoint. Using lens based recording media flattens that perspective creating the illusion that we are all sharing the same viewpoint. The idea of a horizon that can define wether something is above or below it suggests a fairly binary value and alludes to the idea that there is a clearly defined line separating the psychological spaces we inhabit.
Above / Below shows two alternate viewpoints of the same piece of water and explores the ambiguity of the two points of view. The aerial and underwater perspectives provide an authoritative surveillance viewpoint that initially empowers the viewer. At first it is clear which is which and that the height and depth relate to each other, over time this becomes disorientating and unclear.
Cylinder comprises an object in a questionable condition of either falling very slowly into an abyss or being suspended in a state of weightlessness. There is very little in the environment to provide a point of reference and it is not clear if the state of these visual clues are being influenced by the presence of the object itself and the filming equipment.
Produced between 2016/17 -
'Line' was shown at Culture Lab - Newcastle University as part of HADADI
LINE 2017-Softcover - ISBN 9781389390500
Above / Below 2017 - Softcover -ISBN 9781389733833
Cylinder 2017 - Softcover - ISBN 9781389378126
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LINE from Simon Gregory on Vimeo. Wastwater - Above / Below from Simon Gregory on Vimeo. Wastwater cylinder from Simon Gregory on Vimeo. |