Swedish artist transforms Digbeth based art gallery into a maze of glittering metal.
Using 27,000 metres, or over 16 miles, of steel ball chain Gunilla Klingberg has filled Eastside Projects with a maze of three metre high curtains, which trace invisible energy lines that run through the space.
When entering the gallery visitors are transported into a seductive, layered space where people appear and disappear as they move around and through the hanging silver screens.
Though Klingberg may hail from Sweden her installation, ‘Paralellareal Variable’, is very much a product of the West Midlands.
Using ball chain made by Dudley based company Sturge Industries Ltd. and a structure designed and built with Avonstar Ltd. in Digbeth, it’s a great example of a collaboration between established manufacturers and a new cultural organisation which is situated in the industrial heartland of Birmingham city centre.
Eastside Projects Director Gavin Wade said: “It has been exciting to work with Gunilla and produce this fabulous new work in Birmingham, but we are especially delighted that it has given us the opportunity to showcase some of the region’s industrial and manufacturing expertise in such a unique and innovative way”.
All 27,000 metres were cut, threaded into place and hung by hand by the gallery’s team of staff and volunteers over a three week period. This DIY approach reflects the ethos of the gallery, which was established almost five years ago by a group of artists and designers with the aim of bringing the very best contemporary art and culture to the city.
The exhibition is free and open from 8 June – 3 August, Wednesday to Saturday, 12–5pm.
Eastside Projects, 86 Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham, B9 4AR
Tel: 0121 771 1778
Website: www.eastsideprojects.org Twitter: @eprjcts