Defying Logic and Gravity: The Art of Facilitation with Alex Chinneck | PART 1

In part one of this fascinating discussion, renowned artist and sculptor Alex Chinneck delves into his evolution as a creative practitioner, from his time at the Chelsea College of Art to his globally recognized large-scale installations. Chinneck shares his perspectives on public art, the creative process, and the evolution of his career.

In this episode:

• Chinneck shares his journey to success and the gruelling process behind creating some of his most renowned pieces
• We discuss his philosophy and belief in making art accessible and easy to understand, as well as the importance of good design and collaboration
• The artist shares the toll his quick rise to success took on his mental health, leading to burnout and a necessary shift in his approach towards art creation
• What role facilitation plays in Chinneck’s work and what it means to him

02:17 Introduction and Warm Up Questions

06:24 Early Life and Art School Experience

11:42 First Major Art Project: The Sliding House

14:47 The Impact of the Sliding House and Subsequent Projects

19:58 The Challenges of Creating Large-Scale Art

24:27 The Importance of Collaboration in Art

29:18 The Success of the Hovering Building

35:07 The Struggles of Overworking and Burnout

40:58 Recovery and a New Approach to Art

48:30 The Creation of Smaller Works and Future Plans

53:33 Exploring Knots as Signature Look

55:21 Material Sourcing

56:55 The Art of Facilitation in Sculpture

53:07 Developing Cast Iron Lampposts

53:52 The Role of Function in Public Art

57:33 The Importance of Collaboration in Art Creation

Alex Chinneck (1984) is based in Kent, UK. Go check out his work on his website https://www.alexchinneck.com/ and follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexchinneck/

Where to see Alex's permanent public sculptures:

• The inverted pylon "A Bullet From A Shooting Star" on Ordnance Crescent, Greenwich peninsula, London.

• The cracked facade titled "Six Pins And Half A Dozen Needles" at 77 Fulham Palace Road in Hammersmith, London.

• The exploding staircase "A Spring in Your Step" in Circus Street, Brighton.

• Series of "Group Hug" sculptures on buildings in Nancy, France.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Chelsea College of Arts: https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/chelsea-college-of-arts | https://www.instagram.com/unioftheartslondon/

Tate Britain: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain | https://www.instagram.com/tate

Conrad Shawcross: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_Shawcross | https://www.instagram.com/conradshawcross/?hl=en

David Murphy: https://www.davidmurphystudio.co.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/_davidmurphystudio/

Ibstock Brick: https://www.ibstock.co.uk/ibstock-brick | https://www.instagram.com/ibstock.official/

Smith And Wallwork Engineers: https://www.smithandwallwork.com/who-are-we/ | https://www.instagram.com/smithandwallwork/

English Heritage: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ | https://instagram.com/englishheritage

Arts Council England: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/aceagrams

Frank Gehry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Gehry

Rachel Whiteread: https://gagosian.com/artists/rachel-whiteread/ | https://www.instagram.com/rachelwhitereadofficial

Richard Wilson: https://www.richardwilsonsculptor.com/

Gordon Matta-Clark: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Matta-Clark

Covent Garden: https://www.coventgarden.london/ | https://www.instagram.com/coventgardenldn

Illuminate Productions: https://www.illuminateproductions.co.uk/ | http://instagram.com/illuminating_arts

The Darent Wax Company: https://www.darentwax.com/ | https://uk.linkedin.com/company/the-darent-wax-company-ltd

Anselm Kiefer: Remembering the Future: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4212634/ | Watch here: https://youtu.be/FUQuhoqTKtg?si=JYiPNUgjV_oG9HZR

Alan Yentob: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Yentob | https://www.instagram.com/ayentob1/

Millimetre: https://millimetre.uk.net/ | https://www.instagram.com/millimetremakes/

This episode is also available in video format on YouTube, with some images of the work: https://youtu.be/njfmsS8AiY4

The Installation Art Podcast is a bi-weekly show about people who love and work with the contemporary art medium of installation.

Host Anastasia Parmson, an artist herself, interviews internationally renowned artists and arts workers about the intricacies and behind-the-scenes stories of creating and showing work that is site-specific, ephemeral, large scale or immersive.

Follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast to never miss a show.

Find us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/

More information about the show and previous episodes: www.installationartpodcast.com

Your host Anastasia Parmson: www.anastasiaparmson.art | https://www.instagram.com/anastasiaparmson.art/

__________________________

Join the conversation in our private Facebook group The Installation Art Society, where we can connect with like-minded people and exchange ideas: https://www.facebook.com/groups/installationartsociety