we are all memory bodies

- exhibition

A new exhibition work curated and produced by Charlotte Spencer Projects which is currently in development.

Co-created with Sheila Ghelani, Becky Edmunds, Vicky Malin, Shivaangee Agrawal, Petra Söör, Alberto Ruiz Soler and Zoe Manders.

we are all memory bodies is a new group exhibition exploring our relationships between felt experience and memory; tracing story, connection and humanity in caring, hopeful, encouraging ways.

Made up of a collection of 6 participatory artworks, by 8 artists, we are all memory bodies is full of things to touch, to sense, to feel, to rest in. It incorporates a variety of ways for audiences to engage with the exhibition through hands on invitations to work with crafts and tactile materials, conversation, listening, watching and resting.

Each work aims to shine a light on different curiosities held in these entanglements of memory and bodily sensation, inviting audiences to come into their tactile, porous, relational body and share in simple, but surprisingly profound acts of doing and making and sharing; co-creating a space of belonging, daydreaming, imagining, remembering, creating, exchanging, reflecting, refreshing.

Programming Information

we are all memory bodies is available for programming as as a whole exhibition, or as individual elements. Please get in touch if you’re interested - we would love to discuss options with you!

Memory Table
Charlotte Spencer, Petra Söör and Shivaangee Agrawal

Sitting around a table, two performers use a collection of everyday objects to evoke a series of tactile, sensory memories. Audiences are transported to far flung corners of the mind, childhood recollections and recent experiences via fluffy jumpers, hot water bottles, matches and more.

Audience members can come and go as they please. Duration: 45 min.

Infinity Knot
Sheila Ghelani

Who are what will you tie your Infinity Knot for?

Learn how to tie an infinity knot whilst thinking about someone or something you are connected to always. A reflective ritual and gentle challenge for your head, heart and hands. This work is accompanied by an instructional video and a book of dedication.

The work happens gathered around a table. Duration: 5 - 15 mins.

Becky Edmunds

Participants are invited to join Becky in a collective sewing experience, stitching together a shared line on fabric. Before threading the needle, Becky asks each participant to lick the thread, leaving a trace of their DNA on it. As the thread passes through the fabric, these traces become a permanent part of the cloth, intertwining with those left by previous participants. This unwashed cloth will stand as a lasting record of everyone who took part in this intimate, one-on-one encounter.

1:1 Encounter Duration: 5-15 mins

Our Hands
Vicky Malin

A gentle conversation around a table and large sketchbook that explores the stories, possibilities and perceptions of our hands - what feels unique or connects us through gesture, doodles and words.

1-6 people at a time. Duration: 15 minutes

Listening Furniture
Alberto Ruiz Soler

Alberto is experimenting with ways to embed audio material into furniture - like a rocking chair or day-bed. You sit down and lean into the rocking chair only to discover that it is vibrating with sound through your back. It is only audible when you place your body in contact with the speakers. We are investigating a variety of ways to make use of this contact speaker technology to support relaxation and body regulation.

Audience members can come and go as they please.

Everyday Tactility
Charlotte Spencer and Zoe Manders

Silent film installation co-created with a wide variety of community groups in Brighton and Sussex. It explores the importance of touch in our lives, capturing and celebrating the beautiful, intimate, richly tactile relationships that exist between our bodies, each other and the world that we live in.

Duration: 7 mins looping

The exhibition also incorporates hanging texts printed on large pieces of fabric, a nesting/resting area, headphoned audio to listen to and immerse yourself in, a welcome area with refreshments, other invitations for audiences to respond to/engage with.

CREDITS:

Concept & Direction: Charlotte Spencer
Presenting artists: Charlotte Spencer, Shivaangee Agrawal, Becky Edmunds, Sheila Ghelani, Vicky Malin, Zoe Manders, Alberto Ruiz Soler, Petra Söör.
Dramaturgy: Orrow Amy Bell
Design: Bethany Wells
Lighting: Marty Langthorne
Producing support: Pip Sayers
Photography & Film: Zoe Manders
Audio Description & Access Consultation: Sound Scribe