Chemical Reaction by Seba Kurtis

Village is pleased to announce our next exhibition 'Chemical Reaction' by Argentinian photographer Seba Kurtis. To coincide with the exhibition we have published a zine of the same name which will be available on throughout the course of the exhibition.

Join us for the opening, 6-9pm on August 4th at 131 Oldham Street M4 1LN.

'These photographs show the fallout of conspiracy and control. They are more than records or documents of events that may be vaguely remembered and poorly recalled. They show the texture of su ffering and memory. The vapour of poisons can be seen bubbling and reacting on the surface of the paper, and the result is one of serendipity and coincidence as the chemical reaction manifests itself in these prints. The pulled ink on the prints is like the slow dragging through time and the slow erasing of victims throughout history. Kurtis has researched instances of nerve agent and chemical attacks. He has looked into the use of poison as political power, and has screen grabbed images to further explore his findings. The chemical reaction that we expect to see in typical photographic processes has been co-opted into this story of propaganda and now the paper becomes another document in this growing body of research. The surface breaks down under this reaction and leaves an imprint of confusion as these momentous events fade from collective memory. Kurtis has manifested delicate, reappropriated surface that holds history, intrigue, and time.'

Mariama Attah.