Totally Tactile: Interactive Sculptures by Jan Niedojadlo

19th July - 6th September, 2008.

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Exhibition Opening at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum

Saturday 19th July 2008 from 10.00am - 4.00pm

A sense of curiosity and adventure in the exploration of art.

How do we experience art? Perhaps the most common way is through our eyes. We use our sense of sight to explore a range of media and, in general, this forms our experience of, and constitutes our engagement with, a given work of art. Other senses, such as hearing and, to a lesser extent, touch, sometimes play a part in the encounter.

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The sculptures of Jan Niedojadlo challenge this assumed and traditional notion of artistic engagement. In his large-scale pieces, Niedojadlo invites us to use a range of senses beyond our sight alone. The works are constructed from a variety of recycled materials, including foam, rubber and carpet and incorporate subtle effects of lighting, sound and smell (provided by essential oils and other sources). These gigantic sculptures are often, though not exclusively, inspired by natural and biological forms. Uniquely, visitors are encouraged to enter the sculptures, to fully immerse themselves within these distinct ‘other worlds’ and experience the sights, sounds and smells within.

''I have created environments that encourage a sense of curiosity and adventure in the exploration of art. My sculptures appeal directly to the senses - with their smells, textures and sounds.

Their den-like quality appeals to the child inside the adult, which makes us flexible, vital and creative.

When you step inside one of my sculptures you step outside the gallery. You enter a world of curious atmospheres and subtle sounds. While inside, I want people to feel unique through their own sense of wonder and discovery at the emotions which are stirred''. (Artist Statement)

Niedojadlo describes his work as ‘art to be viewed on your back – and not just with your eyes and brain – but experienced with your whole body’.

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Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum
Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 1DT
Tel: 01905 25371  e-mail artgal

leryandmuseum@worcester.gov.uk