firstsite contemporary art colchester

19 August – 7 October 2006
Garrett Phelan
RACER UNTITLED

firstsite is delighted to be the first UK venue showcasing RACER: an epic, evolving work by Irish artist Garrett Phelan.

This exhibition is Phelan’s first solo show in the UK and brings together a complex body work; developing since 1997 this was initially installed in a former church in Dublin but at firstsite is presented in an art gallery setting.

RACER includes a film installation, landscape photography, microfiche, and web-based drawings. It is a work personal to Phelan, as it is sited at Donabate Beach near Dublin – a place where many childhood holidays were spent.

At the heart of RACER is a dramatic video: one continuous shot in a circular, rotatory movement lasting 13 minutes 44 seconds concentrates on a Martello Tower by the coast. To capture this footage the artist built a special ‘autopod’ for his camera so no manipulation was required. the film is shown inside an MDF structure, which has been graffitied on the outside by the artist.

Alongside this film, Phelan worked at the Donabate site to create and collect imagery for the other components of RACER. Together, the project is an “attempt to represent or capture the inexplicability of the moment....the absolute present”.

RACER’s exhibition at firstsite draws on links between the gallery’s location and the context of the work. There are interesting parallels between the Martello Tower at Donabate and those nearby to Colchester at Jaywick, Clacton and Walton.

In other works, Phelan explored post-traumatic stress disorder in war veterans and recently created his own pirate radio station. He was also included in the international art fair, Manifesta 5.

RACER will be accompanied by a firstsite publication to explore the entirety of the project.

To hear an informal interview between Garrett Phelan and firstsite press officer David Grocott click here.

A transcript of the interview may be downloaded by clicking here.

Click here to visit Garrett's own website.

In Converstaion

Friday 18 August . 6 - 8pm

Garrett Phelan and firstsite associate Jes Fernie discuss the exhibition.

Admission Free

No need to book

	Garett Phelan 19 August – 7 October 2006 Garrett Phelan RACER UNTITLED firstsite is delighted to be the first UK venue showcasing RACER: an epic, evolving work by Irish artist Garrett Phelan. This exhibition is Phelan’s first solo show in the UK and brings together a complex body work; developing since 1997 this was initially installed in a former church in Dublin but at firstsite is presented in an art gallery setting. RACER includes a film installation, landscape photography, microfiche, and web-based drawings. It is a work personal to Phelan, as it is sited at Donabate Beach near Dublin – a place where many childhood holidays were spent. At the heart of RACER is a dramatic video: one continuous shot in a circular, rotatory movement lasting 13 minutes 44 seconds concentrates on a Martello Tower by the coast. To capture this footage the artist built a special ‘autopod’ for his camera so no manipulation was required. the film is shown inside an MDF structure, which has been graffitied on the outside by the artist. Alongside this film, Phelan worked at the Donabate site to create and collect imagery for the other components of RACER. Together, the project is an “attempt to represent or capture the inexplicability of the moment....the absolute present”. RACER’s exhibition at firstsite draws on links between the gallery’s location and the context of the work. There are interesting parallels between the Martello Tower at Donabate and those nearby to Colchester at Jaywick, Clacton and Walton. In other works, Phelan explored post-traumatic stress disorder in war veterans and recently created his own pirate radio station. He was also included in the international art fair, Manifesta 5. RACER will be accompanied by a firstsite publication to explore the entirety of the project. To hear an informal interview between Garrett Phelan and firstsite press officer David Grocott click here. A transcript of the interview may be downloaded by clicking here. Click here to visit Garrett's own website. In Converstaion Friday 18 August . 6 - 8pm Garrett Phelan and firstsite associate Jes Fernie discuss the exhibition. Admission Free No need to book