"Lines of correspondence" investigates the human ability to project feelings and consciousness onto inanimate natural objects such as rocks, plants or soil– in other words, to animate different things around us. Lines of Correspondence transforms actual organic material into virtual landscapes that people can be part of. It invites the audience to re-imagine our relations with what we call the inanimate world, to look closely into the ontological order that is independent from human beings.
The name of the project alludes to the work of British anthropologist Tim Ingold. For him correspondence brings into focus not just the existence of different things in our world, but the forces and processes that generate their existence – not just “being in the world” but “becoming in the world”. To correspond is to open the world to our perception, so that we in turn can answer to it; it is to develop a new type of thinking, one that will allow us not just to “join things”, but to “join with things”. In the works exhibited, Natalja Vikulina corresponds with different objects, but also with different materials and media (here drawing, printmaking and immersive technologies are all mixed up to create experimental space), and invites audiences to invent their own way of corresponding with the objects as well as with the artworks.
“Lines of correspondence” was first shown at the Willesden Gallery, London, 8th--19th of February. The exhibition consisted from installation, prints, drawings as well as VR experience “Sketchfields” The VR experience together with prints, drawings and wooden objects formed one experimental space where “the real” and “the virtual”, natural and artificial are all mixed up and interconnected.
“Sketchfields” is both an artist diary and a futuristic landscape. “Let this be my diary, but in my diary you will be the main protagonist”-- this statement welcomes viewers into the virtual world. The viewers are now guests of someone else’s consciousess. In this virtual world things, that we normally consider to be in-animated, now have life and voice. As the viewers stroll between quotes, drawings, gigantiic pieces of wood, they can hear how this new world speaking to them.
For this show Natalja Vikulina has collaborated with Russian sound artist and musician Alexey Borisov, who gives a voice to some of the objects presented in the show. Virtual reality was developed by Natalja Vikulina with technical advice from Ivan Isakov. The development of the project has been made possible through a DYCP grant from Arts Council England.
You can download the "Sketchfileds" Virtual Reality experience here. Please note that this version requires a desktop headset (a headset connected to the PC or laptop).
You can download the "Sketchfileds" Virtual Reality experience here. Please note that this version requires a desktop headset (a headset connected to the PC or laptop).
XYZ Lands, 2022
Varied edition screenprint on a silver paper, 42*6, framed
