Prime Objective Blog :: Plastic People of The Universe at Vivid

Plastic People of The Universe at Vivid

Tonight was the launch of my Plastic People project and various other artworks in a group exhibition at the Vivid Gallery in Birmingham. Tonight went really well with some great feedback and a huge turnout!

Pleasure to show next to Faye Claridge who also made some really interesting work whilst out in Prague. Her photographic images of immigrant workers clothes on the grounds near Castle Trebesice were really striking and stood out for me. The delighful Kate Pemberton, whose work is awesome was also exhbiting. As were Juneau Projects and Harminder Singh Judge. Pretty exciting line up of artists to show with!

The final piece I put together was based and informed by the adventures experienced in Prague only a couple of weeks ago. The centre piece is the shot I returned to Prague for, an image of the Plastic’s kit laid out on stage at the National Theatre. This is backed by an array of fly posters containing quotes from people I spoke to whilst out in Prague. One mocking Czech pop singer Karrel Gott, something like a Tom Jones or Cliff Richard of Prague. The other stating the "Plastic’s are Dead". Both posters are designed in a psychadelic nature, with the text appearing when viewed from a distance. The design and layout of these is courtesy of good friend Mark Murphy.

This work is accompanied by a few audio pieces, one with interviews I recorded with fans, another with live recordings of the band made whilst out in Pardububice. Then the thrid and final audio piece is a Karel Gott track, the headphones placed over a defaced image of the singer.

There is also a record player with the Plastic’s debut album "Egon Bondy’s Happy Hearts Club Banned". It spins but the needle stayts up and it doesn’t play, partly out of respect for Egon Bondy who tragically died only a few weeks ago but also because this runs with the theme of the piece… I suggest if you’re reading this far down my blurb you should get to Vivid and check it out! It’s only on until the 2nd June!

Right now I’m thinking about ways in which I can develop the project further and the experiences I’ve gained from this rollercoaster adventure!