Exhibitions2012Britain Creates 2012: Fashion + Art Collusion

Britain Creates 2012: Fashion + Art Collusion is an opportunity to acknowledge and promote the longstanding relationship between British fashion designers and contemporary artists in the year of London’s hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Nine pairs of designers and artists, which consist of Gavin Turk and Hussein Chalayan, were given a completely open brief to see what would emerge from the dialogue between their respective disciplines. The results encompass sculpture, video, music and photography.

Turk and Chalayan have created an audio track that perfectly embodies this idea. The very first time they met, at Turk’s studio, Chalayan interviewed Turk about his enduring preoccupation with the mythical status and identity of the Artist, with authorship and authenticity. When Chalayan came to edit the transcript of their conversation it suggested the lyrics of a song, and from that the idea of a track called ‘4 Minute Mile’ emerged, the duration fixed by the speed record famously broken by Roger Bannister, the tempo such that you could run or train to it. The track begins with the pounding of running feet and the sound of breathing, which maintain an insistent tempo throughout. Turk’s voice intones his reflections on art and his role as artist, while Chalayan provides melody and a chanted echo or chorus behind.

Turk & Chalayan's collaboration is being exhibited to the public at the V&A throughout July. An accompanying catalogue is available.

The ‘4 Minute Mile’ vinyl (pictured above), which is a limited edition of 100 copies, is available to purchase from The Vinyl Factory.

Featuring:
Hussein Chalayan + Gavin Turk
Giles Deacon + Jeremy Deller
Mary Katrantzou + Mark Titchner
Nicholas Kirkwood + Simon Periton
Peter Pilotto + Francis Upritchard
Jonathan Saunders + Jess Flood-Paddock
Paul Smith + Charming Baker
Stephen Jones + Cerith Wyn Evans
Matthew Williamson + Mat Collishaw