Technology in contemporary art at the Blue Oyster

The role of technology in contemporary art at the Blue Oyster

The Blue Oyster is pleased to present three artists from out of town: from Wellington, Emma Febvre-Richards* (The Rituals of Control*) and Jenny Gillam *(Frank, Blue Oyster Art Project Space)*, and Cara-Ann Simpson (*Geodesic Sound Helmets) *from Melbourne. These exhibitions, which all explore the roles and functions of technology in everyday life, will open on Tuesday the 4th of October at 5.15pm and run until Saturday November 12th. All three artists will be present for an artist talk starting at 5.15pm on October 4th .

Emma Febvre-Richards’ photographs and drawings for *The Rituals of Control*will investigate how technology has produced a lack of spontaneity in adult life. Febvre-Richards takes the unrestrained actions and creations of childhood – including childrens’ writing projects and photographs of ‘spontaneous’ childhood moments – and adapts them using technology.

Jenny Gillam’s video installation *Frank. Blue Oyster Art Project Space*uses technology to look at the relationship between time and space, in particular with regards to the ‘neutral’ space of the gallery. Her video works will show her dog Frank’s explorations of the empty Blue Oyster gallery space between exhibitions. Her installation will engage with issues surrounding the mediated ways in which we experience nature, our relationships to animals (especially pets) and ‘nature’ as a cultural construction.

Cara-Ann Simpson’s *Geodesic Sound Helmets* is an interactive sound and visual art installation that explores the creation of new technology (open-air active audio signal cancellation) and perceptions of space. This is an ongoing project between Simpson and engineer Eva Cheng. *Geodesic Sound Helmets* will consist of a series of large helmet-like objects with speakers inside, along with visual artworks. Visitors will be invited to put their head inside different ‘helmets’ to hear different three-dimensional soundscapes. The helmets are fully interactive – visitors will be able to control the work with their breath. This exhibition will be the global premiere of the Geodesic Sound Helmets.

[image: CaraAnn Simpson.jpg]* Geodesic Sound Helmets - photo credit: Cara-Ann Simpson*

*Upcoming Events:*

*Tuesday 4 October at 5.15pm*: Artist talk with Emma Febvre-Richards, Jenny Gillam and Cara-Ann Simpson, followed by exhibition preview.

*Saturday 8 October at 2pm:* Cara-Ann Simpson in discussion with Su Ballard

ENDS

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