Output details

The stag and hound

The second phase of Dutton and Swindells collaborative The Institute of Beasts project consisted of an installation/exhibition and a book-work.

Context:

The large (7 adjoining gallery spaces) installation/exhibition at Project Space Leeds was open to the public for 12 weeks (from 20 January, 2011) and included a six-week open residency period during which time the artists were present.

Process and Insight:

The exhibition continued to explore themes of ‘animality’ – previously developed in 'The Institute of Beasts' – but this time in a more expansive physical environment using large-scale neon and sound. 'The Stag and Hound' focused more on disturbing taxonomies by providing an elaborate ‘forest’ of signs, approaches, methods and materials, deliberately tripping up linear narratives and interpretations. The artefacts – new animations, neon texts, photographs, sound works, broken glass and wall texts – were juxtaposed so as to create potentially endless readings. The research concerned the nature of art practices’ impact on epistemological concerns via a curation of multiple aesthetic strategies and tropes. It suggested the invocation of an epistemological realm within which doubt, reticence and inconclusiveness may be privileged over certainty.

Sharing:

This work was the subject of further extensive analysis in 'Moves Towards the Incomprehensible Wild' by Emma Cocker in Art&Research journal, Vol 4: No.1. (Summer, 2011). The exhibition was also featured by Robert Clarke in The Guardian (26 February, 2011). Following the exhibition, the artists were nominated for the Northern Art Prize 2011.

The artists' book-work 'The Institute of Beasts', including a critical commentary by Emma Cocker, brought together the two phases of 'The Institute of Beasts project'. It was launched at 'The Stag and Hound' exhibition, published by Site Gallery and distributed by Cornerhouse books (2011).