Harrogate-based audio visual company has made the impossible, possible, creating ‘walls that talk’ at Yorkshire’s major new art gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield.
The team from Audio Vogue, best known for its Harrogate Home Cinema brand – which specializes in supplying and fitting “smart” home technologies and multi-room audio – has been called in by the gallery to help create ‘walls that talk’ for one of the gallery’s new exhibitions.
- Walls of Sound! Audio Vogue’s Co-Director Andy Wyatt with Frances Guy, The Hepworth Wakefield’s Head of Collection and Exhibitions
The speakers, which have been concealed in the walls, play an integral role in one of the gallery’s new spring exhibitions – Anna, by Heather and Ivan Morison.
This piece of allegorical object theatre depicts a tale of love in foreboding times using objects, performance and puppetry that draw on the life and work of 20th century British novelist Anna Kavan.
The concealed speakers give voice to Anna’s three narrators which are represented by a large netted sphere that floats sun-like in the gallery space and two contrasting large-scale wall works, produced using soot and black bone pigment, and chalk and white bone pigment.
The exhibition is one of three new shows now on display at the gallery until 10 June, Ben Rivers and David Thorpe that use film, sculpture, installation and performance to raise issues of man’s relationship with nature, and question what happens when man-made and natural worlds collide?
Audio Vogue Co-Director Peter Hudspeth said:
Over the last few years we have installed ‘invisible’ speakers in score of homes. However, this is the first time we have been asked to carry out this type of work in a public building.
It took two of the team the best part of a day to carry out the work, which had to be completed to a very tight deadline. The gallery is very forward-thinking and its exhibitions are thought-provoking. We were honoured to be asked to create the sound system for The Hepworth Wakefield.
Audio Vogue Co-Director Andy Wyatt said:
We are always excited to use our technology and skills on bespoke projects such as this one. Being invited by The Hepworth Wakefield to undertake this work is a great advertisement for our business and introduces the Harrogate Home Cinema name to a new audience.
The Hepworth Wakefield’s Gallery Manager, Matt Kelly said:
With a technically complex exhibition, whereby 16mm film, puppetry, light and sound installations are being shown for the first time, it’s great to work with a company like Audio Vogue, who could understand our vision, install on time and meet the high standards of the gallery and our artists.
The new exhibitions by Heather & Ivan Morison, Ben Rivers and David Thorpe run until Sunday, June 10.
The gallery based on the historic Wakefield waterfront hosts a nationally-important collection of British art and this latest installation is no exception. It offers one of the largest contemporary art spaces outside London and is one of the most popular art galleries in the country, welcoming over 400,000 visitors since it opened its doors to the public on 21 May 2011.
The Hepworth Wakefield offers an engaging programme of learning projects, regular talks, lectures, performances and screenings. Facilities include a café bar, a shop, a unique conference venue, learning studios, gallery garden and riverside play area.
For more on The Hepworth Wakefield, including the new spring events and activities programme visit www.hepworthwakefield.org or call 01924 247360.
Further information about Audio Vogue can be found by visiting its website at www.harrogatehomecinema.co.uk
