How do we experience the concept of public land when we can hardly see it? What happens to a place of leisure when the users are gone?
Layzell/Paxton
The Naming is a research project challenging and questioning how, through categorization and naming, we distance ourselves from aspects of the natural world and the cultural world.
Inspirational figures are Jane Jacobs, Arne Naess (who chained himself to Mardalsfossen waterfall in Norway in 1970 to prevent a dam being built), First Nations beliefs in general and especially the Mi’kmaq community in Nova Scotia and the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus.
The work Richard is producing includes discussions, performances, ‘interventions’, audio recordings, video, photography, ‘imprints’ using the earliest form of printing known as Takuhon, and an ongoing body of creative writing. He is celebrating particular trees and the songs of particular birds, especially the pied butcherbird from Australia.
How To Name a Tree
Richard Layzell releases a video work for Norwich Arts Centre this January, exactly one year after giving a performance in person. Watch this lockdown gem from the comfort of your home and ponder on our caretaking of the natural world, the traces left by humans and the pandemic affecting ash, elm and oaks trees that has been going on right under our noses for years. Read more…
The Value Of Mush – The Deep Ecology Of The Car Parks Of Stroud
Richard Layzell addresses a love letter to Stroud’s car parks this January, uncovering the ‘value of mush’ for local wildlife in piles of soggy leaves and unswept hidden corners. There’s nothing quite like mush.
From 18–24 January, London-based performer Richard Layzell was artist-in-residence at SVA. Each day he roamed around one of Stroud’s car parks, revealing the hidden mysteries and biodiversities of these neglected places and releasing photos, videos and audio on Instagram and Facebook. Follow his daily adventures and learn about how Stroud’s very own mushy piles of leaves are part of a complex web of ecology, not just an inconvenient heap to be swept up.
Latest writing…
The E-L-M
It hadn’t been easy in Hackney, so she decided to rework the first section into something approaching sound poetry. More in tune with Dick Higgins than Pam Ayres she recalled his Snowflakes and then the words appeared quite quickly on the page. This performed approach to language would surely communicate to the 120 pensioners atContinue reading “The E-L-M”
Beached in Limehouse
Text for the ‘Come Hell or High Water’ event that was postponed due to the lockdown in May 2020 The land mass of river bed become beach, beached, eased, allowed for, swept back, sunken, elevated, given space to breathe. You wake in water, looking down. You bathe at the edge, down the rough wooden stepsContinue reading “Beached in Limehouse”
Siskins in Salen
What looked from the other side of the room like mist is a fine rain that needs another name than drizzle. This is something else. Call it smether. The lodge is still warm from storage heater excess. Out there is not weather for tripods and filming. It’s a subtle soaker. There’s little wind and itContinue reading “Siskins in Salen”
Kronos
You’re at Ashley’s front door, returning the dibber. ‘Thanks again for this, Ashley.’ ‘Glad to be of service. Get your work done?’ ‘It was perfect, such a simple and effective tool.’ ‘Like me, simple and effective. That’s how Jean used to describe me anyhow. You wanna come in for coffee?’ ‘Thanks, but I was onContinue reading “Kronos”
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