Spectator T: Art Sheffield 05

28 Oct –
27 Nov

Press release

S1/projects is participating in the citywide event; Art Sheffield 05: Spectator T

Simon & Tom Bloor use images and texts culled from diverse cultural forms to produce ephemera and context-specific installations. For Art Sheffield: Spectator T they have produced what filthy bombastic spin a series of stickers using phrases taken from science fiction stories by Kurt Vonnegut. The quotes were chosen in response to the character Tony T developed by Gavin Wade who was commissioned to create a curatorial context for Art Sheffield 05. Hate that superior intellect of yours / Love may fail but courtesy will prevail / Nobody here believes there is such a thing as innocence are written on candy-coloured backgrounds like modern proverbs to be transported beyond the gallery, adapting and shifting in meaning as they discover new contexts.

Josephine Flynn’s work cuts across social norms and assumed hierarchies to expose them as unnecessary constructs that are somehow passed over and assimilated without question. Recent video work takes the form of a tightly edited cut ‘n’ paste gutter media bonanza, levelling everything thrown into its vast landfill whilst avoiding predictable, right-on critiques. Stuff III combines narrative form borrowed from straight-to-video Danielle Steele, a dedication to bodily functions in Microsoft Paint and a soundtrack that skips through early volumes of Now that’s What I Call Music.

Matthew Harrison’s Kustom Extension (4 way) is a deluxe prototype power adaptor, a meticulously crafted multi-socket device. Referencing design devised for obsessively customised objects such as hot rod cars and electric guitar equipment, Harrison has developed two units that propose themselves as desirable solutions for powering multiple appliances within the gallery environment. Kustom Extension (6 way) will be shown at Sylvester Works.

Juneau projects make reference to creative leisure activities frequently working directly with groups of amateur enthusiasts such as school bands or online communities. Antler Fonts is a website and customised computer console enabling visitors to download fonts designed by Fantasy Wargamers. Painting figures, making scenery and battlefield layouts enable Fantasy Wargamers to engage with creative practices on their own terms. Juneau projects devised workshops inviting participants to develop fonts that reflected their interests. The artists have made posters featuring hand-painted warriors and legends such as BLAZE A PATH THROUGH THE DARKNESS taken from their correspondence with gamers. View latest font designs at www.antlerfonts.co.uk

Art Sheffield 05: Spectator T is a city wide contemporary art event taking place in Sheffield’s galleries, project spaces and non-gallery venues from 28 October to 27 November 2005. The programme comprises of existing works and new commissions responding to a fictional character Spectator T. Art Sheffield 05:Spectator T, is coordinated by Sheffield Contemporary Art Forum for more details visit Spectator T

Simon & Tom Bloor graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2000 Collaborative projects include Romantic Detachment (a Grizedale project for PS1 New York), and What are the senses? at Dudley Zoo. Forthcoming exhibitions include All at Once Together at Colony, Birmingham and Public Structures 2nd Guangzhou Triennial, China. Simon and Tom live and work in Birmingham.

Josephine Flynn graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 1998 and is currently studying at Sheffield Hallam University. She has recently exhibited at International 3 in Manchester and the Zoo Art Fair and was selected for Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2005. Josie lives and works in Sheffield and Leeds.

Matthew Harrison graduated from The University of West England Bristol in 1998 and is currently studying at Sheffield Hallam University. Exhibitions include Eurocentral at Transmission Gallery Glasgow and more recently as part of the collaboration Harrison & Hughes at International 3 in Manchester. Matthew lives and works in Sheffield and Bristol.

Juneau Projects are Phil Duckworth and Ben Sadler. They have been working collaboratively since 2001 Exhibitions include a recent solo exhibition at the Showroom Gallery London, Romantic Detachment, The British Art Show 6 and a forthcoming solo show at Ikon Gallery Birmingham. Juneau projects are represented by f a projects they live and work in Birmingham and London.

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