MYRIAD

Myriad Newcastle Detail 2003

In Myriad the viewer is confronted with a curtain of acrylic lenses of differing focal lengths. These have been attached together and hung from a stainless-steel suspension pole in an ‘S’ shape.

The act of seeing is intensified, as if through a microscope. The human image is distorted and broken up, bringing a variety of different realities to each viewer: for some, a particular lens will magnify an object, for others the same lens will blur that object. The viewer is required to examine what is in front of them closely, allowing details to be revealed that were hidden at first glance.

But seeing and understanding are not always the same thing. Some of the lenses still have sight markings on them, written in a special code only opticians can understand. All those not educated in that language will remain in the dark as to its meaning. 

Myriad British Brazilian Centre Sao Paulo Brazil 2000

Myriad Brazil 2000 lowered to the ground

Myriad phycology Department Newcastle University 2003

Myriad Phycology department Newcastle university 2003

Myriad Whitworth Art Gallery Manchester 1998

Myriad Whitworth Art Gallery Manchester with dance and music performance by Ocianos and Stark Dancers with music composed for the work called ‘myriad’ by Beth Wiseman 1998

Myriad in a Garden