| Project title: | Land Entities |
| Location: | Langsett and Open Studio, South Yorkshire, UK |
| Date(s): | June – August 2024 |
P.U.L.S.E LISTENING PROTOCOL – MATERIAL RESEARCH – OPEN STUDIO EVENT – ONLINE DISSEMINATION
ARTIST STATEMENT
Yorkshire-based visual artist Joanne Gelsthorpe draws inspiration from the inherent qualities of natural materials. Her exploration of this has fostered a deep interest in the interplay between human interaction and material properties, shaping processes that highlight their mutual influence.
She seeks engagement with natural matter and looking at how it can evolve, reinvent, and expose the essence of place. Joanne’s work originates from spending time in outdoor spaces. Here she documents, listens and gathers, often creating on location. She is fascinated by the intrinsic connections of the past and present that are deeply rooted in each material entity. Sourcing material responsibly she seeks to draw out inspiration from the landscape remnants and liminal spaces whilst focusing on the material interplay.
In every aspect of her practice there is consideration for the fusion of matter and its reinvention. She often forms dialogues that reference human emotional and physical states that align to the process of transformation and rebuilding, such as grief, loss, ephemerality as well as renewal and growth. This is to further support a belief of the deep connections we have with everything that surrounds us both human and nonhuman.
…
What is a land entity?
A land entity could be a piece of collected matter or running river water, it embodies the concept that the land possesses its own agency and vitality, influencing and being influenced by the interactions and activities within it. This project aims to explore the vibrancy of natural materials by focusing on their agency and shifting away from an anthropocentric viewpoint. This is achieved by immersing in nature, actively listening, looking, engaging with material entities, and generating a symbiotic dialogue in connection to the environment.
How?
This project began as a collective walk with local artists, sourcing natural materials and then developed into material explorations. The objectives were to –
- Utilise materials consciously sourced , prompting reflection on the vibrancy in our locality
- Emphasise sustainability, working collaboratively with nature and seasonal resources to enhance our connection to the environment.
- Encourage responsible practices, adopting a caring perspective when creating.
- Explore sensory engagement (active listening/ looking) to boost creativity, mindfulness and offer new perspectives.
CONTEXTUAL STATEMENT
‘Understanding the agency of things can lead to a more profound appreciation of our environment and a deeper sense of interconnectedness’
Jane bennet, Vibrant matter
Jane Bennett’s concept of “Vibrant Matter” emphasises the life and agency found within materials. When artists incorporate natural elements into their work, a dialogue emerges between human intention and the qualities of those materials. This interaction challenges the rigid distinctions between artists and their artworks, inviting viewers to reconsider the traditional hierarchy between humans and nature. As a result, it fosters a more inclusive and relational approach to art-making.
Bennett’s ideas encourage us to recognise the vitality of materials and adopt a more interconnected, ecologically aware perspective. This blending of boundaries between subjects and objects in art opens up new ways to understand and engage with the world around us.
Karen Barad’s theories of agential realism further illuminates the connections among materials, nature, and art. Barad highlights how human and non-human elements are interdependent, viewing reality as an ongoing entangled process. She argues that the distinctions between humans and the material world are fluid, shaped by continuous interactions with our environment. Her concept of “intra-action” emphasises that entities influence each other through their intertwinement.
This idea is particularly relevant to the Land Entity project, where artworks emerge from the fusion of human intentions, material properties, and environmental influences. By recognising the interconnectedness between human and non-human entities, we are encouraged to rethink traditional notions of ownership, control, and exploitation in art. The project promotes a mindful and responsible approach to art-making, taking care of materials and their origins.
Together, Bennett and Barad’s theories of “Vibrant Matter” and “Agential Realism” provide a framework for the Land Entity project. They encourage an exploration of the fluid boundaries between humans and the material world, aiming for a process that is constantly evolving, just like the materials it engages with.
…
A series of material experiments
A selection of material explorations that occurred from active engagement with nature. Bio forms created from raw materials such as river water, grass, sediments, rock pigments and other natural matter.
…
Material Engagement / Open studio Event
August open studio event , my local art group were invited to interact with the materials and engage with various displays of material outcomes . Fostering discussions about working sustainably and the role of the artist as a facilitator for change.
…
Outdoor work
P.U.L.S.E Listening Protocol
P.U.L.S.E is an active listening protocol that asks us to engage and focus on the vibrancy that surrounds us.
The project resulted in the generation of a series of bioplastic forms.
Each Bio Entity carries within it the stories of the river—the whispers of currents, the dance of light on water, and the lifeblood of the ecosystem. They serve as guardians of the river’s spirit, reflecting the vitality and energy that pulse through the aquatic realm. By transforming river water into solid form, these rocks become a tangible manifestation of the river’s presence, acting as vessels of its energy and wisdom.
Bio forms temporary placement at Langsett , UK. Varying sizes , approximate measurements 50cm H X 40CM W max.
…
Links