The Psychotropic House was created for artist collective XAP’s residency at Yinka Shonibare’s Guest Studio Space in Hackney during January 2014. Inspired by JG Ballard’s short story, ‘The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista’, the eleven artists worked collectively in a variety of media, to create room-based installations that explored the psychology of place, space and memory.
Funded by the Arts Council England, and attracting over 850 visitors, The Psychotropic House is an interactive, immersive and multi-sensory art installation, supported by a programme of events to maximise public engagement (a family drawing workshop, school visits, performances and a symposium), enabling visitors and artists to engage in dialogue about what art can be.
The Stairwell
Floor-based video projection (8 mins:19 sec), enclosed by wooden bannisters (1.2m x 1.2m)
January 2014
Burrowing into the floor, playing with perception and distorting reality, the vertiginous Stairwell adds to the uneasiness created by The Psychotropic House. A transient place, capturing the imprint of those who have been before: ascending, descending, hurrying, lingering, travelling alone or in the company of others. Only shifting shapes and the echoes of their journey remain.
For more information visit http://www.lizsergeant.co.uk/projects13.html