JANE AND LOUISE WILSON

April 20 - May 27, 2000

Jane and Louise Wilson were born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, in 1967. They studied Fine Arts at Newcastle Polytechnic (Jane), Duncan Jordanstone College of Art (Louise) and Goldsmiths College, University of London. They live and work in London.

Jane and Louise Wilson engage in video art and in particular Video Installation, works that comprise multi-screen wall projections, photograph stills shot on location and, sometimes, sculptural, three-dimensional pieces – recreations of objects represented in the projections.

Whereas in their earlier works the artists constructed the sets in which they filmed, creating a mise-en-scene for the body in space, from 1996 onwards, they work with abandoned architectural spaces, loaded with political and historical meaning. The narrative of the works of Jane and Louise Wilson comes not from a predetermined script, but from the location filmed, the internal architecture of the building and the connection of the artists to that space. Emphasizing two concurrent viewpoints – alluding to the double image of the stereoscope and, perhaps, their own relationship as twins- they question the absoluteness of one point of view and create another dimension where one can experience a deeper sense of reality.

The positioning of the viewer into space “activates the work”. The spectator is enveloped by the surrounding space of architectural projections and becomes a moving image, part of the work. Nevertheless, one is unable to determine his or her position within the structure; the space of the gallery and the architecture of the building in the video fuse and it is uncertain where the boundaries lie: real and virtual, fact and artistic vision become impossible to separate. The empty spaces are transformed into psychological zones where the beholders are found entrapped, compelled to assume the position of authority and to question their own ethical positions, as well as realize the collusion of space, power and control.

In 1999 Jane and Louise Wilson were nominated for the Turner Prize. This is the first time the artists exhibit in Greece.