Sound artist Sarah Farmer has spent a number of months working and researching intensively at the Lapworth Museum of Geology  and the Winterbourne botanical collection. Farmer has explored the collections, spent time with the curators and staff, and has created a number of sound based works, as well as screenprints, in response to her time there.

The exhibition is now at Lapworth Museum of Geology from Thursday 7th November until Sunday 24th November. Come and explore the university’s collections in a way you would never imagine.

Lapworth Museum / 9.00am – 5.00pm weekdays 12.00pm – 5.00pm weekends / University of Birmingham, Aston Webb building, Edgbaston Campus

This project is supported through Connected – a University of Birmingham Cultural Engagement initiative.
www.birmingham.ac.uk/culture

Sarah has been working with the fossils and fauna in the university’s collections

Capsule have embarked upon a new partnership with the University of Birmingham, supporting an artist in residence to make and display work in response to the university’s fascinating and varied collections.

Sound artist Sarah Farmer has spent a number of months working and researching intensively at the Lapworth Museum of Geology  and the Winterbourne botanical collection. Farmer has explored the collections, spent time with the curators and staff, and has created a number of sound based works, as well as screenprints, in response to her time there.

Lapworth Museum of Geology

The exhibition will begin at Winterbourne on Thursday 24th October, her work will be on display in the Cactus House for two weeks, before moving to Lapworth Museum of Geology on Thursday 7th November until Sunday 24th November. Come and explore the university’s collections in a way you’d never imagined.

Winterbourne House & Garden / 10am – 4pm weekdays 11am – 4pm weekends /58 Edgbaston Park Road

Lapworth Museum / 9.00am – 5.00pm weekdays 12.00pm – 5.00pm weekends / Aston Webb building, Edgbaston Campus

This project is supported through Connected – a University of Birmingham Cultural Engagement initiative.
www.birmingham.ac.uk/culture

Sarah Farmer’s residency at University of Birmingham focuses on the collections at Laptworth Museum and Winterbourne Gardens, and she’s making some exciting progress. Here Sarah tells us a bit about her process.

Sarah made this vacuum print bed…

“DIY has been the name of the game this month. I have been making my own vacuum print bed for screen printing record sleeves and posters, and a UV lightbox in order to make silk screens and photoetchings using imagery taken at the university’s collections. They won’t win any awards for design – they are made almost entirely from reclaimed materials, but they do work.

…and a UV lightbox

Along with making my tools, I have been starting to make my own collection of artefacts – copies of fossils, etchings, using the printing press and i even have my own slice of cactus awaiting further artistic treatment. At this stage, everything is in a developmental stage as I turn raw photos into physical objects through sculptural and printing process, which will ultimately result in the making of sound sculptures.”

Skeleton etching – these etchings will be used to make a sound piece

Casts of fossils

Sarah has been busily exploring the collections at Winterbourne and Lapworth Museum of Geology over the last few months, making new work inspired by the botanic and fossil collections. Here is her first update on the residency, with some amazing images.

“The Lapworth collection is home to hundreds of fossils, maps and geological items, whilst the arts and crafts era Winterbourne House houses, amongst many other living libraries, a rare collection of succulents as well as display glasshouses containing plants from all over the world. It also features an original letter printing press which can be used by visitors.

Using techniques relevant to archeology and the arts and crafts movement – casting and printmaking (screen, letterpress and photoengraving) I have been gathering images and objects that focus on the textures of the fossils and plants to make my own ‘collection’ based on pattern, texture and the similar designs of the minerals and flora.

This collection will take shape as a set of records formed not by cutting or pressing but by casting images into resin which, which when played on a record player will provide a multitude of different sonic textures, beats and drones that will serve as a sonic archive of the objects and will be used to create a new sonic work.  Following the notion of collections, a series of poster prints and printed record sleeves will accompany the discs.”

Read more about Sarah’s previous work via www.sarahmfarmer.co.uk
Capsule are producing this artist residency in partnership with University of Birmingham.

Capsule are delighted to embark upon a new partnership with the University of Birmingham, supporting an artist to make and display work in response to the university’s fascinating and varied collections.

Sound artist Sarah Farmer will be working with both the Lapworth Museum of Geology and the Winterbourne botanical collection through spring 2013. Farmer will explore the collections, spend time with the curators and staff, and will create sound based works in response to her time there.

This a new artistic venture for the university, and an exciting opportunity for Capsule to further our artist support programme.

Read more about the project here