Places We Think We Know

The solo exhibition, 'Places We Think We Know', at Dundee Contemporary Arts (21st August - 21st November 2021) was conceived around a new body of work commissioned by DCA. This work brings photography and sculptural installation into direct discourse, by further exploring relationships between 2-d and 3-d forms, to investigate the role that sculptural modes of installation can play in developing new strategies for photographic production and interpretation.

The large-scale installations constructed for this exhibition, intersected the gallery space to create bespoke environments from which to consider each of the three large-scale photographic works presented within the exhibition. The experience of looking at the photographs was intensified in a multi-sensory way by the colours, textures, objects and sounds that were designed to surround the images. By devising 3-d and audio elements capable of creating an immersive viewing experience, this research explores how the environment surrounding the image, informs how it is viewed and experienced. The sculptural elements were designed to bring the works into relationship with their spatial environment, as a means of activating the gallery spaces that the photographs inhabit. The exhibition included two installations, which incorporated large-scale curtain structures that dwarfed the viewer. The installations were created in response to aesthetic qualities found within the locations, depicted in the photographic mages.

A series of six text works were also included in the exhibition. These texts, presenting excerpts of dialogue from filmmaker Edgar Reitz's 1992 film series, ‘Heimat’, were specifically chosen to act as a self-reflexive space in which the audience could engage with key subjects and themes at the core of this research, in order to facilitate a more intimate viewer encounter with the artworks.

This exhibition also included audio work stemming from the collaborative and cross-disciplinary element of this research practice*. The exhibition debuted a new suite of eight modular synth compositions by Sean McBride of Martial Canterel made in response to the photographic works. These musical works could be heard in the gallery space at intervals throughout the day.

Works presented within this exhibition:

‘A Reflex of Her Loss a Glimpse of Finality’ colour giclée photographic print 110 cm x 130 cm (PURE ID: 132871478)

‘Gradually Unhappening’ colour giclée photographic print 110 cm x 130 cm (PURE ID: 132875579)

’Quietly dispelling the Dark’ colour giclée photographic print 110 cm x 130 cm (PURE ID: 132875768)

'Entering that Other Scene that Grows out of the Roots of this One’ installation (PURE ID: 132938108)

‘Installation 2’ (working title) installation (PURE ID: 133017549)

‘All the Rituals of Existence (in six parts)’ series of six text works (PURE ID: 132875916)

*This collaboration is part of McIntyre’s ongoing work as the founder of the electronic music project and record label TONN Recordings.