The team at York Mediale has moved quickly and nimbly around the constraints of a pandemic to create a festival that profoundly resonates with all of us. And there’s still time to catch some of the good bits.
People We Love
2 November – 29 November // York Minster
York citizens take centre stage in this piece of art that shows local faces as they gaze at a person they love.
Emotive and beautiful, the viewer will see a kaleidoscope of the physical indicators of love. From a subtle change of breathing to the pang of an eyebrow: you’ll imagine who and what the subject is thinking about. Be prepared for their reactions to bring to the forefront of your mind memories and emotions of your own.
Kit Monkman, the artist, said:
“This piece really just asks you to look. You look into the eyes of another human being, and you know that they’re looking at someone they love. It’s a dialogue between the person who’s inside the screen and the person who views them.”
Neil Sanderson, from York Minster, said:
“When Mediale approached us with the basic idea of People We Love, we thought this really fit well into the context of the time and also York Minster as a place.
If you think of the way the whole cathedral works, the building is here as a visual expression of love. People We Love uses the modern technology of today.”
Set across five large screens under the Heart of Yorkshire window at York Minster, there’s absolutely everything to be gained from seeing the different ways that we all express love: this exercise in empathy is a must-see.
Human Nature
Until 24 January // York Art Museum
Become increasingly aware of your own humanity as you explore three installations under the banner of Human Nature at York Art Gallery.
The Tides Within Us explores the journey of oxygen from the lungs to the heart and body. The immersive project by Marshmallow Laser Feast blends art and technology into a spectacle of light and sound. Every intake of breath becomes heightened as you see this enchanting interpretation of what goes on under the surface.
Embers and Giants seems innocent on first glance. The short film focuses on an endangered ancient forest at twilight, while thousands of floating embers swirl around a giant tree. On closer inspection, the beautiful embers aren’t what we once thought, and as thousands of drones swarm around the tree, the film takes a dark turn.
Limina brings to life Rachel Goodyear’s intricate drawings through animation. Scrunched paper with animated sketches litter the platform around a newly conserved marble sculpture from York Art Gallery’s collection. An intriguing glimpse into the psyche and fragments of the unconscious.
Be sure to check out this timely reminder of who we are and what we’re made of.
Visit https://yorkmediale.com/ for more information and to book tickets.
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