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 | Peripheral Vision - press release A collaborative exhibition between Martin Smith, Reuben Paris and Colin Usher Three Edinburgh artists from different backgrounds have got together on a project that seems more like a challenge of Kiefer Sutherland's ‘24’ proportions than an art exhibition. The results, which will be displayed at The Village on South Fort St, Edinburgh will not be seen until the 1st night of the exhibition as the artists have given themselves just 48hours to realize and complete the artwork. What is known is that it will feature photography and maybe text, but what else, and what’s it all about? Said Martin (Smith, director of the project) “I was contacted by Reuben first of all who told me that The Village had a space for 3 weeks that they wanted to fill and they had very little time to do it. That obviously attracted me as I didn’t have any spare time really, but the fact that there was a deadline, and I love working to deadlines, was suddenly very attractive. That and the fact that I haven’t been involved in any photography since I was on tour with bands.” (Martin started as a photographer on tour and at live gigs for acts such as Nick Cave and Ice Cube). | |||
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The idea was obviously infectious. Smith continued “Reuben (Paris, photographer of the project) asked that I come up with an idea that Colin (Usher, designer of the project) and he could work to, and if I was interested in and realising it with them. My head was immediately full of scraps of ideas and on the way home they became fuller and fuller. There are always ideas that won’t work in a moving image project, like a short or a music video, that I have squirreled away in my ideas folders, on scraps of paper, on the back of my hand, and some of those came back to me. There was also a real desire on my behalf to shoot a project in Leith, where I live. “ Colin’s take on it was this. “As a designer, projects are always tight on time and you have to go by your instincts. Often it is not until after the job comes back that you realise how well it's been executed.” He continued. “This exhibition concept with Reuben & Martin ticks all the right boxes for me. Working to a 48 hour deadline for the whole project will make for an exciting and vibrant glimpse into the collective working process and should result in an extraordinary exhibition. Let's hope we all get on and any stresses that occur will be positive and enjoyable ones.” Reuben was attracted because “What interests me about peripheral vision is taking the opportunity to photograph what I see every day around myself with a freedom that’s rarely found in commercial work. Secondly it’s a great chance to work with Martin and Colin who are long standing friends and collaborators.” Partly as a measure of how busy they were, and partly to keep up the idea of a challenge the team decided to impose a 48hour deadline on the project. All the artwork, from idea to completion had to be shot in a 48hour window. What is the content of the exhibition? Martin fills us in, “My immediate thoughts were about a set of crime scene photos with a difference. I’m always led by narrative ideas, but I want this show to have a slightly oblique feel, not to fill in all the gaps. There is a lot of new development going on around here, but at the same time there is an edgier side to things and I’m keen on tapping into that, so the work will definitely feed into that contradiction. It’s about looking a little closer at what’s around us and maybe discovering things that scare us a little.” So how does Smith feel working with a photographer and designer rather than a cameraman and crew? “It’s a different process but one I’m looking forward to. I’m a huge fan of photography, and I love the spirit of collaboration. With this I get to try out both. The approach in terms of time is really different too. We didn’t need anyone to approve the project; we just get on with it. Challenges like this are always potentially fun, but can also help you with your other assignments, I’m always up for shaking up things.” Peripheral Vision is at The Village from 21st September until 14th October The Village, 16 South Fort Street, Edinburgh EH6 4DN. Tel: 0131 478 7810 | ||
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