Sisyphus In Retrograde
Sisyphus In Retrograde is a seven part podcast series exploring the ideas behind the exhibition curated by Gabriella Sonabend & Aindrea Emelife featuring artists Sol Bailey-Barker, Evy Jokhova, Adeline De Monseignat, Nissa Nishikawa and Harrison Pearce.
The exhibition Sisyphus in Retrograde, presented the works of 5 contemporary artists whose practices reference ancient knowledge and incorporate the activation of sculpture through performance, kinetics and sound. Questioning the symbolism of materials and forms, these artists are linked by their fascination with the ritual object, the point of tension before collapse and the transfiguration of physical forms through the activation of sound, movement and touch. Together they pose questions about possible futures and sustainability within culture and environment.
Like Sisyphus eternally pushing his boulder uphill, these artists return repeatedly to their subject matter posing questions about how we can use ancient knowledge to develop sustainably in light of the imminent environmental crisis of the era of the anthrophocene. Perhaps posing another question, is human activity as the dominant force progressive, will we save ourselves, or are we in retrograde?
Commissioned by London Curatorial
Produced & Recorded by Merlin Nova
Ep 1 Sisyphus in Retrograde
Introduction to the ideas explored in the exhibition 'Sisyphus in Retrograde' curated by Gabriella Sonabend & Aindrea Emelife featuring artists Sol Bailey-Barker, Evy Jokhova, Adeline De Monseignat, Nissa Nishikawa and Harrison Pearce.
Merlin Nova interviews artist Evy Jokhova about her relationship to landscapes as explored through her film "In This Hot Desert, I Dream Of Snow" made during her recent residency in Azerbaijan.
Ep 2 Evy Jokhova
Ep 3 Sol Bailey-Barker
An interview with artist Sol Bailey-Barker about his new multi-sensory installation 'Hand Made Machines & Machine Made Hands'.
Ep 4 Harrison Pearce
An interview with artist Harrison Pearce about his kinetic sculpture 'Bambi' and his wider practice.
Ep 5 Adeline De Monseignat
An interview with artist Adeline De Monseignat about her film 'In The Flesh' and her wider practice.
Ep 6 Nissa Nishikawa
An interview with artist Nissa Nishikawa about her living installation 'Den'.
Ep 7 What Happens Next?
Greta Thunberg. Cultural shift with Colin Tudge. Talks with Will Skeaping from Extinction Rebellion. This is the final concluding episode.