Gemma Pardo, Around the Shore (2011)

Medium: Video Painting, Projection, Color and no sound

Dimensions: 14 Scapes | Duration: 1 hour, 34 min., 49 sec.

Collection: Video Painting Solo Series

Edition of 7

Reference: VPSS-GPAS11

Gemma generally works with the themes of time and transformations that occur in specific locations. She works in the context of the history of places. These places change gradually or have an element within them that moves or changes, sometimes as a part of a natural cycle or due to human intervention. The viewer sees the reflections and consequences of man’s intervention. The images reflect the interaction with the environment and its changes, leaving the viewer to question of the consequences of these changes and influences on their identity and culture.

In this collection Pardo focuses on elements of the immobile, static and elements of movement, nature. The predominant is water, the sea among concrete and industry. Generally the industries are set up where there is a water supply. It is a medium of transport and drives life. She likes to portray these spaces with a sense of transformation and some instances of over-use, isolation, decay and renewal.

Around the Shore is a collection recorded in a particular spot around the English Channel, the shore in Kent. One of her inspirations to go there was a 19th painting by called a Recollection of October 5th (1858) by William Dyce. It is a place that it has being in the past of family gathering to pick shells and fossils and more recently in history a space of exploitation and renewal. In the 60s a coal power station was built. The building was converted into an oil burn station, which rose environmental concerns in the area. Later on in the 80s, it transformed into an experimental wind turbine. At the present tie this is a place that is seeing a return for birds to nest and people to enjoy. It is a Nature reserve, which still has the resembling, and the dominant view of the chimney and cooling towers of a power station. What she was willing to capture is that transition moment where the nature is taking over and the other elements slowly died out to let pass new begginings.

She went there in various times of the year and captured long shot of the images is an attempt to reveal, “time-space” in its constant transformation, the cycles of tide and light, the place changing.

In this format, the images encompasses “a video painting” open to encourage and promote the contemplation of the images. With out any impositions of narratives or meaning although she looks for inspire in the viewer new meanings from a familiar landscape.