Abbas Akhavan's Site-Specific Commission at Mount Stuart
Abbas Akhavan's commission 'study for a garden' at Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute explores local topographies and hydrologies through sound, installation, and film. The exhibition spans the mansion and grounds, featuring an 11-metre elevated stream in the crypt titled 'variations on a folly', a 20-minute audio piece on sight and bird classification, and a silent video 'slug' with dichroic film in the octagonal glasshouse. Akhavan positions himself as a guest, critiquing extractive collaboration and referencing the 'hostile environment' policy. The work engages with the garden as a site of tension between human control and nature.
Key facts
- Commission titled 'study for a garden' at Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute.
- Installation 'variations on a folly' includes an 11-metre elevated stream in the crypt.
- 20-minute audio piece shifts between descriptions of sight and bird classification.
- Silent video 'slug' and dichroic film installed in the octagonal glasshouse.
- Akhavan references Elaine Scarry's writing on domestic space and the etymology of 'house'.
- Artist critiques extractive collaboration and positions himself as a guest.
- Work references Britain's 'hostile environment' policy under the Conservative government.
- Garden is seen as a site of tension between human control and nature.
Entities
Artists
- Abbas Akhavan
Institutions
- Mount Stuart
- The Third Line
- Catriona Jeffries
Locations
- Isle of Bute
- Scotland
- United Kingdom