Smith/Stewart
In their solo show at MK G, collaborating artists Smith/Stewart (Stephanie Smith b.1968, and Edward Stewart b.1961) presented a recent body of work revolving around their fundamental concerns: body and space, communication, darkness and the 'in-between'. All three of MK G's gallery spaces were filled with their installations. In the Cube and Middle Galleries Smith/Stewart presented a new sculptural installation as part three of the project, A Black Thread. The work, which is stark in character, uses light, video, sound, found and fabricated objects to create an arena, a studio, a stage, an interrogation room, in which the viewer is confronted by psychological and physical extremes. The deconstructed nature of the set-up leads the viewer to question what might constitute the real, 'What does it mean to feel the presence of something that is blatantly not there?'
In the Long Gallery Smith/Stewart presented the first UK showing of Ahead (film), 2000, which explored notions of the void, fear and dislocation. Filmed driving down a remote unlit country road at night, the artists repeatedly turned the car headlights on and off in a pact. Trapped in an endless loop, 'He drives. She films. And Death rides with them.' In the punctuated sections of darkness they drive blind taking the viewer along for the ride.
