SYMBIOSIS

An exhibition organised by London Alternative Photography Collective at Hundred Years Gallery, Hoxton, 13 Pearson St, London E2 8JD. Organised by Melanie King, Ky Lewis and Hayley Harrison.

Exhibition Open: 18th January - 27 January 2024.

Opening Times: Wed - Fri 14:00 to 19:00 Sat: 16:00 to 19:00 Sun: 13:30 to 19:00

Evening Events opening: 19:30 to 22:00

Opening Party/Private View: Thursday 18th of January 2024 6.30 to 9.30
Photo-scanner synth demo by Hack Modular.

Closing event (artist tour): Saturday 27 January 2024 4-7.30pm.

Artists:

Alice Watkins
Anna Kroeger
Anna Luk
Anna Lukala
Catriona Gray
Constanza Isaza Martinez
Ed Sykes
Eileen White
Eric Fong
Esme Papa
Hayley Harrison
Imogen Locke
Katrina Stamatopoulous
Ky Lewis
Leanne Wiggers
Magda Kuca
Martha Gray
Megan Ringrose
Nettie Edwards
Paeony Lewis
Roelof Bakker
Sayako Sugawara
Sophia Sherwood
Walter and Zoniel

During the exhibition opening there will be a photo-scanner synth demo by Hack Modular. The synthesizer module generates sound by rapidly scanning lines across photographs. Variations between dark and light translate directly to the movement of the speaker. Slides therefore are wavetables and contain a unique set of sounds. Moving the transparency across the linear photo-scanner shifts the timbre of the sound. Scan rate equates to pitch. Lamp intensity controls dynamics.

‘Symbiosis’ is a group exhibition exploring the relationship between image makers, the more-than-human, and alternative photographic processes.

When working with analogue and alternative photographic processes, light, water, and botanicals are harvested to expose, process, tone and transform work. During this transformation, there is dependency on non-human elements.

Questions to consider within this exhibition:

What are the connections between symbiosis and alternative photography?

Is nature a collaborator or a commodity in alternative photography processes?

What does it mean to be in relationship with a landscape or a plant for extended periods of time – to witness the interplay between individual species within their ecosystems? What is the role of artistic testimony when witnessing symbiosis within these relationships?

Whether by process or theme, this exhibition documents interspecies relationships – including those between humans and non-humans. Photographic and momentary, they are mid-relationship – we can only guess the before and after.

How do we bear witness to symbiotic relationships between different species, alongside our responsibility to acknowledge that the true definition of symbiosis is both parasitic and mutualistic? Much like alternative photographic processes, balance and equilibrium are essential to symbiosis.

Text: Hayley Harrison
Images: Ky Lewis and Hayley Harrison