Anticipated Fictions; Monumental Configurations/Windell
2017

MDF, printed foamex, welded steel, vinyl, monumental uplighters, found stone, nuts, bolts, projections, aluminium composite, text.

This exhibition is made of two installations. The first is based on two conflicting planning applications by non-governmental groups for a monument in the same street in the Northern Irish town of Magherafelt - one for a war memorial, and one for a statue of Patrick Pearse. The planning portal becomes a public archive, where these theoretical monuments are endorsed or condemned; the representations not needing to exist to enact. A third entity is proposed to sit with one, both, or neither of these theoretical monuments.

The second installation is a film based on the Windell company, again situated in Magherafelt. Recently reaching its thirtieth year in business, the company creates facades for both public and private sector buildings, specialising in blast and ballistic proof frontage. Established through the local need for such architecture in NI, they have adapted their manufacturing processes and market to the changing nature and targets of terrorism, and balance marketing and physical insurance with the instability of digital information.

Special thanks to all at Windell. Funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Photography by Simon Mills.