LOCATION
Kuturhaus (en: House of Culture)
NEVER SLEEP (2015) from the EVI LICHTUNGEN collection
Neon Signage
Mounted in red neon letters, as they have been used for illuminated advertising at night for over 100 years, “Never Sleep” stands on the façade of the Kulturhaus. The text intervention can be read as a call for vigilance or as a threat; it could also be a commentary on the beauty of life at night or a social criticism of the industrialized world with its machines that never stand still. The openness of meaning corresponds with his artistic interest in language as a medium of relationship.
TIM ETCHELLS
Tim Etchells places calls to action in the space. He has been working on word settings in urban environments for 20 years. Sometimes with neon letters, sometimes with LEDs, always in capital letters to underline the inviting character, usually in just one color: their positioning plays an essential role in the readings of the interventions. “In each work or project, I try to set something in motion – to stage an encounter, to set a process in motion, to set an event in motion – which ultimately explores the dynamic relationship between the work and the viewer.” (Tim Etchells: About)
His artistic practice encompasses various formats and media, from performance to visual art and writing. His artistic research explores socio-cultural issues of contemporary identity and urban experience, in particular the power of language and media. Since 1984 he has been the artistic director of the experimental theater and performance group Forced Entertainment, based in Sheffield.
TEXTS INTERVENTIONS
2023 London (uk), WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL Suddenly
2023 Leeds (uk), HENRY MOORE INSTITUTE The Weight of Words
2022 London (uk), SOMERSET HOUSE The Horror Show
2021 Rome (it), MATTATOIO Re-creatures
2020 Vienna (at), KUNSTHALLE ..of bread, wine, security and peace
Since 2006 Installations and interventions with neon and LED lettering
COLLECTIVE
1984 Sheffield (uk), Forced Entertainment (foundation)
STUDIES & TEACHING
Since 2013 Lancaster (uk), Lancaster University: Professor of Performance
2011 — 2012 Sheffield (uk), Sheffield University: Professor of Performance
2010 — 2012 Roehampton (uk), Roehampton University: Professor of Performance
1984 Exceter (uk), Exceter University: Bachelor English / Drama
BIO
1962 Born in Stevenage (uk)
LINKS
EVI LIGHTS collection
timetchells.com
REFERENCES