On the Natural History of Destruction: Space Interrupted

You don’t want to listen. Listen anyhow. You don’t want to know to where your indifference can again lead you and me at any time? I’ll tell you. (Jean Améry)

On The Natural History of Destruction (2015) is a body of work, commissioned by curator Clare Sheppeard for Space Interrupted, a group exhibition made in response to the historic Fort Brockhurst site. This includes its peaceful, calm and natural surroundings, as well as the military history steeped within its walls. The title for my project is taken from W.G. Sebald’s book On The Natural History of Destruction and the project is informed by universal questions around war, power and peace. It considers the timeless things that never change: nature’s pacifying calm as well as man’s continued destruction in the name of peace, and the flight of a bird perpetuated across the centuries.

16mm film loop: ‘On the Natural History of Destruction’ (2015), 2’40”

Video: ‘On the Natural History of Destruction: Sermon for Holding Your Breath’ (2015), 5’40”

Artists’ Book: ‘On the Natural History of Destruction: Islands of Amnesia’

Supported by Arts Council England, English Heritage, Heritage Open Days & Aspex Gallery

L-R video still; 16mm film (installation view); artists’ book (installation view)