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Vauxhall Pleasure
Friday 6 August 2004 7.30pm and 8.30pm - Tate Britain Vauxhall Pleasure is a collaborative work by artist Anna Best and composer Paul Whitty which draws upon the past history, present condition and future plans for Vauxhall Cross to explore the relationship between political protest and entertainment, traffic and pedestrians, noise pollution and song. The performance event is staged for a single day Friday 6 August. Although thunderous traffic and polluted atmosphere epitomize contemporary Londons polluting car culture, Vauxhall Cross stands on the site of the legendary 18th century Pleasure Gardens, which were renowned as a place combining pastoral beauty and fresh air with the musical entertainments, fountains, fireworks and fun of urban culture. At Tate Britain there are two free 30 minute performances at 7.30 and 8.30pm. Field recordings from Vauxhall Cross with the interference of traffic noise will be played on a choir of loud speakers to accompany Paul Whittys new composition. Whittys piece uses the recorded material to create a transformed version of Thomas Arnes cantata The Morning (1755) which will be performed by an 18th Century chamber ensemble. The contemporary site is mapped onto Arnes musical site 'The Morning...Dr. Arne versus Vauxhall Cross ' (Paul Whitty/2004) At the Museum of Garden History, in the exhibition Tempered Ground there is a video piece Roads for Prosperity and Progress (1994) by Anna Best and an audio piece Dr. Arne at Vauxhall Cross (2004) by Paul Whitty. Tate Late, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1 For the Tate Late performances on August 6th you are advised to arrive early to ensure a seat and you can also RSVP to Danielle Arnaud for possible inclusion on a (very limited so first come first served!) guest list: danielle@daniellearnaud.com
Tempered Ground,
Museum
of Garden History, St-Mary-at-Lambeth, Lambeth Palace Road,
London SE1 Background research information about the project can be accessed at the website in progress: www.vauxhallpleasure.org.uk Vauxhall Pleasure is produced in partnership with Parabola, with support from Tate Live and funding from Arts Council England and Cross River Partnership.
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