Image: Jennet Thomas
The Contemporary Art Research Centre, Kingston University presents 2012 Stanley Picker Public Lectures on Art
Tuesday 15 May, 6pm
MODELS OF REALITY, RHETORICS OF CONTROL
ART, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Keith Albarn & Jennet Thomas
Introduced & Chaired by Rob La Frenais (Arts Catalyst)
Keith Albarn asks: why is pattern so pervasive? The whole of Nature is informed by pattern. The survival of most fauna and much flora depends on pattern recognition. Our thought is built of pattern, our artifacts are adorned with pattern. We are seduced by the self-similar and are troubled or excited by difference and we seek to categorize it, pattern it. We see only pattern. Pattern determines our model of reality. Our models of reality are built of patterns whose form is determined by our physiology [neurological hard wiring] and reinforced by our cognition [neurological programming]. This physiological and cognitive perception of pattern is the engine of learning. What we perceive or learn is dependent on our response to and/or recognition of patterns [patterns as abstracts of prior experience, as networks of the relationships that give form to the idea, event or thing ]. If we do not “see” [consciously or unconsciously] the pattern [the relationships between things/ideas etc.] then we do not recognize, we do not understand what we see. If we do not under – stand, we do not “see”. Eureka … its just like …! Where Art meets Science! Where Synthesis meets Analysis Be a Seer not just a See-er! The Dangers and Delights of Pattern the pattern of learning and the learning of pattern.
Jennet Thomas will speculate briefly on: the invention of new kinds of life, maths, and matter, the ‘game-ification’ of reality, the thrill and horror of new discoveries in mechanisms of control. Videos ‘The Man Who Went Outside’ and an excerpt of ‘SCHOOL OF CHANGE’ [the Sci-Fi musical soon to open at Matt’s Gallery] will show how these concerns play out in poetic/fantasy forms in my recent work.
With sensors implanted in everything you consume, enhance your pleasure by measuring your score, with sweet loyalty points on the flexible credit of your learning outcomes…
This event takes place:
UPSTAIRS AT THE CRICKETERS
20 Fairfield South, KT1 2UL
FREE ENTRY
Bios:
Keith Albarn, born 1939, studied architecture [3yrs.] and sculpture [N.D.D.] and later became a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers, began his career working in the theatre, then formed an environmental design consultancy [‘64] whose work included modular furniture and building systems, learning aids, toys and exhibitions, contributing to “Cybernetic Serendipity” [I.C.A. London ’70], researching, designing and building “The World of Islam” [I.C.A. ’74, reworked as “Islamathematica” for Rotterdam [’75] and “Illusion in Art and Science [I.C.A. ’76 and New York ’77].Meanwhile, he was drawn into teaching, firstly as a Visiting Lecturer to a number of Universities etc., then as Principal Lecturer in Fine Art [’74 - ’81] at the now University of East London, then moved to Colchester Institute [A.P.U.] as Head of School of Art, Design and Media [’81 - 97].
Publications include articles and papers for journals, broadcasts on radio and television and coauthored the books, “Language of Pattern” ’74 and “Diagram – the Instrument of Thought” ’77 both for Thames and Hudson, and chapters for “Teaching Art and Mathematics” for Stanley Unwin, ’91.As an artist, he has contributed [installations, sculpture and prints] to solo, two person, group shows and architectural commissions throughout his career, here and abroad and has work in a number of private collections.Currently, he lives between London and Devon, furthering his inter-disciplinary exploration into the nature of creativity, pattern and belief and preparing for another solo exhibition.
Jennet Thomas makes films, performances and installations exploring the connections between my lived everyday, fantasy and ideology, experimenting with collective constructions of the meaningful. Using a collision of genres, my videos can look like T.V. news, experimental film, childrens’ drama, or performance art behavior, and are frequently comic, uncanny and entertaining.
My numerous film works have screened extensively in the international Film Festival arena (Rotterdam, Oberhausen, New York Underground Film Festival) Recent solo gallery shows include: ‘All Suffering SOON TO END’ at Matt’s Gallery 2010, ‘Return of the Black Tower’ at PEER in 2007, and ‘The Advice Shape’ at OUTPOST, Norwich, November 2010 with a forthcoming major film/installation project SCHOOL OF CHANGE in June- July at Matt’s Gallery London. My work emerged from the anarchistic, experimental culture of London’s underground film and live art club scene in the 1990′s, where I was a cofounder of the Exploding Cinema Collective.