In the Wake of a Deadad - Andrew Kötting
10 March - 21 April 2006
Herbert Read Gallery, Canterbury
The Herbert Read Gallery is pleased to announce a new solo exhibition by acclaimed artist and filmmaker Andrew Kötting
Andrew Kötting's idiosyncratic and wayward style has long been a strong presence in British independent filmmaking, especially since his critically acclaimed 1996 feature-length film Gallivant. Since 2003, he has been AHRC research fellow at the University for the Creative Arts. In the Wake of a Deadad, his new solo exhibition at the Herbert Read Gallery, is the first presentation of a new body of work made during his fellowship.
In the Wake of a Deadad is Kötting's powerful, often uncomfortable reflection on the recent death of his father - his 'Deadad'. An installation in three parts, Deadad is a journey through the psychogeography of personal memory, hidden histories, loss and reconciliation.
In the Digital Diptychs, Kötting places himself in scenes taken from the pages of his father's stash of 60s glamour magazines, newly re-discovered. Flat-screen video animations are paired with still découpages, three-dimensional 'layered' images, depicting the artist as participant in the sexual scenes that as a child, Kötting pored over in secret.
Overseeing these diptychs is the Inflation Installation, two large inflatable sculptures bearing the images of Kötting's father and grandfather. Comic and melancholic, these tombstone-shaped portable monuments travelled with Kötting around the world, to locations of significance in their lives and his. A video projection documents their strange travels.
The exhibition is also accompanied by the 448 page In the Wake of a Deadad book. The book includes the replies of an Invitation to Write that Kötting sent out to 65 individuals. Each was encouraged to write in response to four photographs of Kötting's Deadad, including one of his dead body in the chapel of rest. As well as Kötting's own musings and confabulations about the project, the book includes an introduction and conclusion by Gareth Evans and contributions from, amongst others, Adam Chodzko, Mark Cousins, Jem Finer, Tony Grisoni, Gregorios - Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, Dr Muhammad Shabbir Usmani, Sean Lock, Iain Sinclair, Fay Weldon and Eden Kötting.
In the Wake of a Deadad is both a chapel to the memory of Kötting's father, an exploration of the bonds of patriarchy, and the secular exorcism of a difficult relationship.
To accompany the exhibition, the Herbert Read Gallery is pleased to present three weekends of continuous screenings of films by Andrew Kötting, including the features Gallivant and This Filthy Earth. See below for details.
Another version of In the Wake of a Deadad will be presented at Dilstone Grove, London, in 2006.
For press images contact Beverley Ferrell at the Exhibitions Office: (tel) 01227 817364 or e-mail bferrell@ucreative.ac.uk
Please Note: Viewers may find some images in this exhibition offensive. The exhibition is not suitable for those under the age of 16.
Free Events & Film Screenings
Andrew Kötting in Conversation
Friday 31 March
Cragg Lecture Theatre, Canterbury Campus, 7 - 9pm
Andrew Kötting talks to writer Gareth Evans about the exhibition and his earlier film work. The talk is free, but please RSVP to exhibitions@ucreative.ac.uk
Andrew Kötting continuous film screenings
Cragg Lecture Theatre, Canterbury Campus, from 1pm
Saturday 11 March, 1 April, 8 April
Gallivant, 1996, 99 mins
Gallivant (The Pilot), 1996, 8 mins
Jaunt, 1995, 5 mins
Mapping Perception, 2002, 35 mins
Diddyköy, 1992, 5 mins
Hoi-Polloi, 1990, 10 mins
Sunday 12 March, 2 April, 9 April
Smart Alek, 1993, 18 mins
Là Bas, 1994, 19 mins
This Filthy Earth, 2000, 117 mins
Publication - In the Wake of a Deadad
448 pages, full colour, hardback, in an edition of 1000.
Published by the University for the Creative Arts, with assistance from the Arts & Humanities Research Council. Price £25, available from the Exhibitions Office tel: 01227 817364.
Herbert Read Gallery, UCA Canterbury
The Herbert Read Gallery hosts exhibitions which relate to the subject specialisms of its Canterbury campus. The University also organises exhibitions of work produced by current and former students and staff in collaboration with external venues such as local hospitals and health centres, businesses and other educational institutions.
Opening Times
Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm
Admission free.
There is parking at the campus (including disabled bays) and full disabled access to the gallery.
Please visit the Exhibition Archive.
