Shown as part of Space Soon
8-15 September 2006
Roundhouse, Camden, London NW1
Gravity, Aleksandra Mir, video, 7' 19", 2007
Gravity - the Eternal Countdown. Aleksandra Mir Limited Edition Calendar for 2008
Project Description
Aleksandra Mir's vast rocket (20 metres high), a monumental ephemeral sculpture, was built in the former engine shed of the London Roundhouse in September 2006. It was constructed out of junk: steel, fibreglass, tractor tires, industrial fans and a discarded tank from a toothpaste factory. It took two days of construction on site, stood erect for three days only and was dismantled in another two days.
The rocket that effectively went nowhere is commemorated through a mixture of production stills, drawings, space ephemera and the artist’s own pin up photos taken in scrap yards around England during the search for old and dirty things to make the work. Throughout the calendar, data inserted in its corresponding date highlights failure or resistance in the history of space exploration – a catalogue of various failures, disasters, minor mishaps and political hurdles.
The project was a new commission by The Art Catalyst, supported by the Arts Council of England, the Henry Moore Foundation and built for the show Space Soon at the Camden Roundhouse, London, 8 - 13 September 2006.
Industrial Design & Fabrication - Cory Burr, C.Burr Design / Stratford Welding
Engineering - Price Myers
Rigging - MTec Freight Group
