Suspense

Art meets science and technology.

Artist Jayne Wilton's work investigates the breath as a fundamental unit of exchange between people and their environments. Particle physicist Prof. Peter Hobson from the School of Engineering and Design at Brunel University, London approached Wilton in 2010 to suggest a collaboration with the school to explore new technological outcomes for her practice. A successful bid to The Leverhulme Trust funded a residency at Brunel University in 2012.

The work produced during Wilton's residency is the result of a series of collaborative projects at Brunel University with, among others, particle physicists Peter Hobson and Akram Khan, composer Peter Wiegold, poet Benjamin Zephaniah and novelist Will Self. Jayne's work incorporates a host of innovative scientific techniques such as Schlieren imaging, rapid prototype printing and digital holography. The results of these collaborations allow the viewer to re-experience the often overlooked breath in visual and tangible forms. Universal breathing gestures such as the sigh, the laugh and the gasp have been translated into an intriguing and surprising series of images and objects.

An exhibition of Wilton’s work, curated by George Mogg, was held at the Beldam Gallery, Brunel University between January and March 2013.

Wilton and Mogg have teamed up with Digital Technologist Malcolm Zammit from the School of Arts at Brunel University to extend Suspense beyond the Beldam Gallery exhibition and to explore a different way of presenting this body of work. Using emerging multimedia technology, the original experience of viewing these works is augmented and made accessible to a new audience.