Nathaniel Mellors on the Origins of His Mutant Soap Opera Ourhouse and Hybrid Art Practice
Nathaniel Mellors’ surreal soap opera, Ourhouse (2010–), is influenced by his youth spent surrounded by television and British industrial music. Following the completion of his MA in sculpture, he integrated video projection, sound, and sculpture in pieces such as Hateball (2005) and Profondo Viola (2004). A pivotal development occurred in 2009 when BBC producer Jonty Claypole commissioned The 7 Ages of Britain Teaser (2010), featuring David Dimbleby. This initiative led to the inception of Ourhouse, which centers around 'The Object' and was co-developed with writer Dan Fox. The initial three episodes debuted in September 2010 at De Hallen Haarlem during British Art Show 7. The series examines a dysfunctional family, drawing inspiration from Pier Paolo Pasolini and absurdist literature. Currently based in Los Angeles, Mellors aims to blend British and American actors in his upcoming projects.
Key facts
- Nathaniel Mellors began Ourhouse in 2010 as a mutant TV series hybridizing conceptual art and television.
- The project originated from his childhood TV viewing and involvement in British industrial music scenes.
- A key precursor was The 7 Ages of Britain Teaser (2010) for BBC1, featuring David Dimbleby with a silicon face prosthesis.
- The core narrative device is 'The Object,' a book-eating character that influences the story.
- First episodes debuted at De Hallen Haarlem in September 2010 with animatronic sculptures for British Art Show 7.
- Main characters include Charles-Maddox Wilson, his family, and gardener Bobby Jobby, exploring class and failed radicalism.
- Influences include Pier Paolo Pasolini, Terry Southern, and Spike Milligan, with aesthetics blending medieval and contemporary sportswear.
- Mellors collaborates with actors like Gwendoline Christie and Johnny Vivash, and works in animatronics, photograms, and paintings.
Entities
Artists
- Nathaniel Mellors
- David Dimbleby
- Gwendoline Christie
- Johnny Vivash
- David Birkin
- Richard Bremmer
- Benedict Hopper
- Dan Fox
- Chris Bloor
- Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Terry Southern
- Spike Milligan
- Ken Price
- George E. Ohr
- Rabelais
- Georges Bataille
- Ed McBain
Institutions
- BBC
- BBC1
- Channel 4
- BBC2
- De Hallen Haarlem
- British Art Show 7
- Hayward Gallery
- Wide Open School
- LACMA
Locations
- Haarlem
- Netherlands
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Britain
- LA