SPACE

During 2007 and 2008, Brandon Ballengée is leading a UK study into declining amphibian species, through participatory lab and field-based research investigations, working with the public as well as collaborating scientists. The project is organised by The Arts Catalyst and enabled by residencies at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Gunpowder Park, and SPACE.

Ballengée combines a fascination with amphibians, fish and insects with techniques of fine art imaging. For the past ten years, his primary field of study has been amphibian declines and deformities. His work has been shown internationally, including the 2005 Venice Biennale.

Eco-Action Projects

Brandon is leading projects with groups of the public, including schools, to investigate local ecologies. Further afield he plans to lead workshops in the wetlands at Gunpowder Park in the Lee Valley, to explore the biodiversity of the Park. In local parks, people will be able to take part in aquatic surveys to learn more about the biodiversity of their park ponds, and school pupils will have the opportunity to discover and learn about the aquatic wildlife of their school ponds.

Love Motels

These use ultra-violet (black) light to study and photograph arthropods (spiders, moths, beetles, etc.) and other nocturnal creatures.

Attracted to the light, these creatures mate and feed on the sculpture. Moths release chemical pheromones to attract mates and consequently "paint" the piece adding their own contribution to the work.

Gunpowder Park is a new country park for the benefit of people, wildlife and the arts. With 90 hectares of land, the park is located at the top of Greater London, England, within the Lee Valley Regional Park. Gunpowder Park was created with a specific remit to provide an innovative programme of arts, science and nature. This programme is produced by Landscape+Arts Network Services.

The Arts Catalyst is an arts organisation that actively makes connections between art and science through commissions and strategic projects. We seek new ways to involve artists, scientists and the wider public in a discourse about science in society, its direction and impact. Arts Catalyst’s artists’ projects are shown in museums, galleries and public spaces internationally and we have an extensive education programme with primary and secondary schools.