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.
The New Year Tower
To coincide with Chinese New Year’s Day and the Year of the Ox. This short film describes a journey between two points in North London on January 1st 2021, responding to thoughts about walking from the poet Thomas A Clark, knowing that at the exact same time others were also walking in different parts of the world following his words.
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…