A large, fluorescent image of Richard Branson, with orange cables protruding from his eyes, takes centre stage in Benedict Drew: KAPUT. The exhibition explores the concept of space tourism through a thrilling installation owned by the Arts Council Collection.
Using a combination of video, audio and sculptural elements, artist Benedict Drew reflects on society’s uncertain relationship with technology. Beneath the image of Branson – who founded Virgin Galactic, the first company dedicated to civilian space travel – Virgin spacecrafts soar across two screens, a foil backdrop flickers and the room buzzes with the sound of feedback, accompanied by the ecstatic sound of a saxophone.
Psychedelic colours and music combine to create an environment that appears to be straight from the artist’s imagination. KAPUT (2015) presents a dark, dystopian response to what Drew describes as ‘the horrors of the modern world’.
Source: Walker Art Gallery
Photo Credit Benedict Drew, KAPUT, 2015. Image by Charlotte Jopling.
