The first full presentation of Roger Hiorns’ Youth is the inaugural exhibition of The Hepworth Wakefield’s new contemporary art space, The Calder. It is open until 3 November 2013.
The acclaimed 2009 Turner Prize-nominated Roger Hiorns, who DACS represents for Copyright Licensing, has been developing the Youth body of work since the mid-1990s when he was still a student at London’s Goldsmiths College.
It is to be shown in full for the first time ever alongside newly commissioned works for the series, as part of Untitled, the inaugural exhibition of The Calder.
The Calder is The Hepworth Wakefield’s new 600m² contemporary art space housed in a former 19th century textiles mill.
Youth comprises found objects such as street benches and jet engines which become ‘activated’ through the live presence of a naked young man.
For the live performance, the ‘youth’ undertakes a series of actions; he prepares a fire on the object, undresses and folds away his clothes. He then stares at the fire or audience until the flame goes out.
Roger Hiorns explains:
“Since the late 90s, the time of the first showing of this work in Deptford, my interest was in solely presenting the human as being up again apparatus in the world. This is a series of works presenting the artificial surfaces within the world, a group of works that can act as proposals on how to behave.”
In this new incarnation, interior sounds from Wakefield Cathedral will be transmitted live into the space, building on the piece’s exploration of ritual and belief. The male performers have been selected by Hiorns from local art colleges and universities.
Untitled is currently open at The Calder until 3 November 2013. Entry to the exhibition is free.
For more information, visit The Hepworth Wakefield website.
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Image: Roger Hiorns, Untitled, 2013. Installation view, The Calder at The Hepworth Wakefield 2013 © Gabriel Szabo / Guzelian. Image courtesy the artist and The Hepworth Wakefield.