Pleasure is a Weapon (2017) Solo exhibition, Grand Union, Birmingham (UK)

Exhibition soundtrack, 2-speakers, looped, (52’00”). Produced, mixed & mastered by Simon Bayliss. Featuring recordings by 'The Brilliant State' (collaboration w/Rory Pilgrim) 'Splash Addict' (collaboration w/Simon Bayliss) & 'Charm Offensive' (collaboration w/Dawn Bothwell). Field recordings made in Rotterdam, Newcastle & London.
Installation view featuring 'Slow Burn' (tendril) (2017), acrylic paint on cotton bondage rope, knots, steel fixings, 12 x 10-metre lengths
(L) 'Adam' (2017) acrylic paint on paper, 42 x 29cm, (R) 'Oliver' (2017) acrylic paint on paper, 42 x 29cm
Installation view featuring 'Slow Burn' (tendril, threshold, swag) (2017), acrylic paint on cotton bondage rope, knots, steel fixings, 12 x 10-metre lengths, 'Sun on your skin, that kind of feeling' (2017) coloured gel on fluorescent lights; 'Relief Relief' (2017) acrylic paint on layered acid-free tissue paper
'Slow Burn' (detail)(pause)(2017)
'Slow Burn' (threshold) (2017) acrylic paint on cotton bondage rope, knots, steel fixings, 12 x 10-metre lengths; 'Gift of tongues' (2017) 50-minute looped, recorded soundtrack on 2 wall mounted speakers
'Relief, Relief' (2017) acrylic paint on acid-free layered tissue paper
'Relief, Relief' (detail) (2017) acrylic paint on acid-free layered tissue paper
'Kissing Seat' (2017) Stained Ash wood bench; 'Slow Burn' (2017) acrylic paint on cotton bondage rope, knots, steel fixings, 12 x 10-metre lengths; 'Relief Relief' (2017) acrylic paint on acid-free tissue paper; 'Gift of tongues' (2017) 50-minute looped, recorded soundtrack on 2 wall mounted speakers
'Slow Burn' (detail) (tendril) (2017)
'Slow Burn' (swag) (2017) (detail)
'Slow Burn' (detail) (ornament) (2017)
'Bruno' (2017) acrylic paint on paper, 29 x 42cm
'Gift of tongues' (2017) 50-minute looped soundtrack on 2 wall mounted speakers; 'Bruno' (2017) acrylic paint on paper, 29 x 42cm; 'Slow Burn' (pause) (2017) acrylic paint on cotton bondage rope, knots, steel fixings, 12 x 10-metre lengths
Notes for associated screening event, programmed and designed by Charlotte Procter (Collections Manager, LUX & member of Cinenova Working Group). Screening featured 'Mano Destra' (1986) - a film by Swiss filmmaker Cleo Übelmann. Mano Destra (Italian for 'right hand') is an elegant study of erotic objectification which depicts one woman tying up another woman in a lengthy act of consensual bondage.
Cover of printed exhibition programme, designed in collaboration with An Endless Supply

1 September – 18 November 2017

Mixed media installation with 2-speaker looped soundtrack

 

‘Pleasure is a Weapon is the first UK solo exhibition by artist Susie Green. Working in a range of media across sculpture, performance, and painting, this presentation celebrates the body as a site for pleasure and politics.

The installation of sound, objects, and painted works that make up Pleasure is a Weapon probe at feelings and recollections surrounding both immediate and remote sexual intimacy. Green’s typically economic use of materials enmeshes with her preoccupation with fetish and form to create an environment in which feelings are inhabited through the ornamental and physical properties of materials.

Not only an exercise in representing desire but also an attempt to indulge corporeal pleasures, the space of the exhibition invites a sensual encounter between artist, object, and viewer’ – Press release

 

Soundtrack produced by Simon Bayliss

Supported by Arts Council England

Photos: Patrick Dandy