For the longest time, humans have sought the solitude of nature as the inherent environment for self-reflection . We often seek to process, discover and contemplate while walking, even as little as 30 minutes of walking outside daily is for the physical and mental health of the human body.
It is no wonder then, that when artists MCRT.Studio explored ideas of identity and roots on a 7-hour hike, the resulting works are raw, strong and resolved. The body of work, titled simply, Seven, is a collection of seven photographs, seven collages, seven digital images and a mural to topographically represent the hike undertaken by the artists. Every hour, MCRT.Studio would document the current view and notarise the feeling of the body and mind.
MCRT.Studio sought to explore ideas of roots and identity of a multinational individual, as the beginning of a series exploring this idea. The process begins at MCRT.Studio artist Rozelle Tan’s roots in New Zealand where the artist was born and lived. She was brought up with a Filipino and Singaporean heritage to further shape the artist’s ideas of identity.
Documenting the natural landscape of New Zealand’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and the ideas of the artist as she walked through the surrounding environment is similar to the process taken by George Rue, an American artist who connects with the Appalachian Trail. While Rue uses sketching and installation to resolve ideas around the culture of hiking and nature, MCRT.Studio has documented the mental journey of exploring the lands and places that have a sentimental, if not genealogical connection to the life of the artist.
Seven is the first exhibition to catalyst the beginning of a series the artist will be pursuing as she investigates further the countries and experiences that have informed who she is as a multinational visual artist.
Join Side Gallery Thursday 15 November from 6 – 8 pm for opening night drinks
Image: 13:05, Archival inks on photo rag, 42 x 29.7cm 2016
