Samuel Beckett Centenary Commission

In partnership with the University of Reading and Arts Council England

Friday 6 October 2006 - Friday 13 October 2006

Located at: Davidson House Forbury Square Reading RG1 3EU

Admission: free

Context

Artists in the City is delighted to be collaborating with the University of Reading in presenting a new double-screen video by artists John Wood and Paul Harrison. The University has commissioned the work as part of the Samuel Beckett Centenary celebrations and its launch in Reading is supported by Stonemartin Corporate Centres.

Project

Harrison and Wood employ performances within the confines of the studio that exploit the immediacy of gesture to investigate games, spectacle and the very process of making art. Another Pair (2006) is a two-screen work that examines banal human interaction and the fascination with the properties of everyday objects. On the first screen a sturdy pair of work boots lower themselves onto two sanding machines for their soles to be worn. The black residue of the activity slowly fills the second screen. Another Pair takes its title from Beckett's short story 'The End' (1946). The story's protagonist shares the preoccupation that Harrison and Wood have for the absurdity of creative activity. Acknowledging Beckett as an important influence on their practice Harrison and Wood's work explores the very nature of the work of art.

The documentation of the commission will reside long term and be made publicly available within the Samuel Beckett Archive housed at the University of Reading.

Artists

John Wood and Paul Harrison have worked together since 1993 producing video works for single screen and installation. A major monograph of their work, 124 minutes has recently been published by Ffotogallery, Cardiff. Their work now resides in public and private collections around the world including the Museum of Modern Art New York. Recent and current exhibitions include: 5 Rooms - Ludwig Museum, Budapest 2006; Les Mouvement des Images - Centre Pompidou 2006; You'll Never Know: Drawing and Random Interference - a Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition 2006; Supernova - A British Council Touring Exhibition 2005; Selected Tapes - MOMA New York 2005.

Wood and Harrison are represented by the London gallery f a projects.

The presentation of this work is supported by Stonemartin Corporate Centres