09.07.2012

Britain Creates 2012: Fashion + Art Collusion

 Britain Creates 2012: Fashion + Art Collusion
6th July – 29th  July 2012
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Evening Talk:  7pm Friday 13th July - Tickets available here

Britain Creates 2012: Fashion + Art Collusion is a project that acknowledges and promotes the longstanding relationship between British fashion designers and contemporary artists in the year of the London 2012 Olympics.

Nine pairs of designers and artists, including 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 maintains 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 at the V&A throughout July, along with an accompanying catalogue.

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

In addition the artist and designer will be in discussion with curator Susanna Greeves this Friday 13th at 7pm. Full details are available here.

The limited edition vinyl, ‘4 Minute Mile’ (pictured above), is available to purchase from The Vinyl Factory. For more information visit: Britain Creates V&A Vinyl Factory