Wednesday 25 June 2014

Telling Tales #3 Lottie Davies 'Love Stories'

©Lottie Davies Courtesy of L A Noble Gallery
Title: Waterloo Station (Anthony and Joy 1975)  (2013)
Series: Love Stories

To see the full premise of Lottie Davies Love Stories series I encourage you to look at her blog & perhaps even send your own story…

By collecting the stories (written accounts) from both parties involved Davies recreates the first meeting of couples from all walks of life. This on-going series does not set out to accurately depict each meeting – as to do so would be frankly impossible. In asking for the ‘story’ of the meeting from each person concerned in written form she is presented with tow versions of the same event. As with her other work Davies allows for a dialogue between the written word & visual interpretation – using her artistic licence to narrate the story within the framework of the initial text. Not dissimilar to the process of making a movie from an existing work of fact or fiction such as a novel or screenplay, alterations are made, lights go on & the camera rolls.

In Davies' case the camera shoots still images but the principle is the same – however her goal is to do so in one still image. Without the luxury of the moving image many elements have to be presented to the viewer in one sitting. 
Millennium Falcon
©Lucasfilm Incorporated
Oh I remember the days...

When conveying multiple narratives in one ‘take’ attention to detail is everything. The less post-production the better, a realness can be delivered like Star Wars using miniature model star ships rather than CGI – not to say that no special effects are ever needed, but the more that can be done in the ‘real’ the better & more believable the resulting work. The frame becomes the stage for a tableau. The medium allows it to breathe as the life-like duplication of her characters are brought to life.

Although the location, people and era may be changed from the original transcripts, the emotional feeling shown is not. As with her series Memories and Nightmares when the author’s of the first texts see the finished result the undoubtedly express their joy at the ability Davies has to depict their feelings of the time they wrote about.

In doing so we as the viewer are given carte blanche to make our own interpretations of the story – often placing our own feelings and narrative with the work.


©Chloe Rosser 
Lottie Davies (centre) with actors
Kirsty Ellen Wright & Samuel J Weir at L A Noble Gallery 


Her nimble fingers edit and spice these stories into cohesive wholes – but like any great story, we are left with personal interpretations of our own.

25th June, 18:30 – 20:00, Lottie Davies will be giving a talk about her work on Love Stories followed by a Q&A. After this one of the actors, Sam J Weir, in her photographs will be giving a performance especially written and directed by her for the exhibition. 

Works from Love Stories 2012-2014 by Lottie Davies will be on display at L A Noble Gallery as part of Capturing The Narrative: A visual exploration of fact & fiction
For further details see the website here.

Narrative Values – Artists Talks & performance programme – Wed Evenings at L A Noble Gallery

25 June 2014  - 18.30 – 20.00
Lottie Davies will discuss the use of narrative as a constant theme within her practice, followed by a Q&A.
After the talk actor Samuel J Weir – who appears in Davies’ work - will be performing a work directed by Lottie Davies.

Places are extremely limited. To book a place, please email hello@lauraannnoble.com with ‘Narrative Values – talk reservation’ in the subject line. Spaces will be reserved till 6pm. 

Tickets on the door will be subject to availability on the night. Any latecomers will not be able to enter the building after 6.15pm as the talk is being recorded.
£5 per-person (Please include your telephone number for conformation.)

The gallery will be open as usual from 11.00 – it looks to be a fascinating & intimate evening – we look forward to welcoming you.






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