LUX is pleased to announce an exhibition of newly commissioned moving image works by Ufuoma Essi, Dan Guthrie and Arjuna Neuman exploring representations of the English rural landscape.
During the COVID-19 pandemic – as people realised anew the importance of nature and open spaces for our health and mental wellbeing – inequalities of access to rural land were being exposed, revealing the disconnect felt by millions of people towards the English countryside. A 2019 government review found that many Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people view the countryside as an ‘irrelevant white, middle-class club’, concluding that this divide is only going to widen as society changes and ‘the countryside will end up being irrelevant to the country that actually exists’. These new commissions interrupt and challenge the enduring perception of the rural idyll as an untouched and unchanging space where time stands still and asks how can our natural spaces be home to difference, protest, and activism.
'black strangers', Dan Guthrie, 2022, 8 min.
Dan Guthrie’s "black strangers" seeks a man called ‘Daniel’ recorded on a bishop’s transcript held in Gloucestershire Archives, who was buried in Nympsfield in 1719 and described as ‘a black stranger’. Whilst walking, Dan talks directly to Daniel, speculating about the parallels between him and his namesake, and about how his experience in his hometown of Stroud mirrors that of ‘Daniel’.
'Syncopated Green', Arjuna Neuman, 2022, 14 min.
Arjuna Neuman’s 'Syncopated Green' reflects on the history of outdoor free parties in the English countryside, using rave music, past and present, to help forget the ‘official’ portrayal of England as picturesque, nostalgic, white, and rural. The film invites rave music into the English landscape – turning imperial history inside out. Somewhere between a music video, a memoir and an essay, it asks: how might our future be different if we had other histories to lean on – and dance with?
'Pastoral Malaise', Ufuoma Essi, 2022, 11 min.
Ufuoma Essi’s 'Pastoral Malaise' explores the absences within the rural pastoral environments that are often framed by romanticism and picturesque conventions, constructed as tourist sites and refuges in rural landscapes across Britain.
Right of Way has been commissioned with the Independent Cinema Office as part of an archival film touring project celebrating the history and legacy of the National Trails in England.
Screening 1 starts at 12:45pm and ends at 13:35pm
The door will open 30 minutes before the screening starts at 12:15pm Screening 2 starts at 14:45pm and ends at 15:35pm
The door will open 30 minutes before the screening starts at 14:15PM
The exhibition is free, but booking is required. A separate quiet space is available.
Refreshments will be available.
This event is scent-free and we ask everyone attending not to wear perfumed products.
We have flexible seating arrangements with beanbags, chairs with backs and benches available. The building is wheelchair accessible.
Service dogs are welcome. Drinking bowls will be provided. We have two walking canes in space available.
You can find general access information here.
If you require any additional access measures in place please email [email protected] or call us on 020 3141 2965.