Es Devlin’s Screenshare Installation at The Vinyl Factory: Reverb – 180 Studios
Es Devlin’s latest installation, Screenshare, is a uniquely interactive experience now captivating visitors at The Vinyl Factory: Reverb exhibition at 180 Studios in London. The perform, which debuted August 20, 2024, invites audiences to not only view a film assembled from Devlin’s past installation work but to physically dismantle a portion of the “screen” itself, taking a piece of her sketchbook recreations with them as a memento.
The installation is built from reproductions of Devlin’s sketchbooks, accumulated over the past 35 years. These aren’t pristine, polished drawings, but rather a raw glimpse into the artist’s creative process. “Some are drawings of London species, some drawings of my kids, lots of process drawings, traces of me trying to work out ideas or share them with collaborators,” Devlin explained, as reported by The Vinyl Factory. The film accompanying the installation features excerpts from projects spanning the last 16 years, set to a soundtrack pulled from her collaboration with Polyphonia, An Atlas of Es Devlin.
A Career Built on Immersive Design
Es Devlin is a British artist and set designer whose work consistently blurs the lines between visual art, performance, and architecture. Her designs are known for their scale and immersive quality, transforming spaces into captivating environments. She’s collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from Beyoncé and Kanye West to the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre. Perhaps one of her most widely recognized achievements is her work on the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, a spectacle that showcased her ability to blend artistic vision with large-scale production. 180 Studios provides a more comprehensive overview of her career and previous projects.
Devlin’s approach isn’t simply about creating visually stunning backdrops; it’s about crafting experiences that actively engage the audience. Screenshare exemplifies this philosophy, turning viewers into participants. The act of taking a piece of the screen home isn’t just a souvenir; it’s a symbolic gesture of carrying a fragment of the creative process with you. This concept builds on previous collaborations with The Vinyl Factory, including BlueSkyWhite, which was part of the LUX exhibition at 180 Studios in 2021.
The Vinyl Factory: Reverb – A Convergence of Art and Sound
Screenshare is presented as part of The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, a larger exhibition at 180 Studios that explores the intersection of art and sound. Running until March 2, 2025, the exhibition features 17 audio-visual installations and experiences. The exhibition isn’t solely focused on Devlin’s work; it also includes contributions from artists like Carsten Nicolai, Caterina Barbieri, Stan Douglas, and Jeremy Deller, alongside Devon Turnbull’s HiFi Listening Room Dream No 1, a dedicated space for experiencing vinyl on a custom-built sound system. A recent interview with Devlin provides further insight into the installation and the broader themes of the exhibition.
The Vinyl Factory, known for its commitment to both music and visual arts, has positioned itself as a key player in the contemporary art scene. Reverb is a testament to this, bringing together a diverse range of artists and disciplines under a common theme. The exhibition’s location at 180 Studios, a dedicated space for large-scale installations, further underscores its ambition and scope.
Beyond the Exhibition: Devlin’s Continued Influence
Devlin’s influence extends beyond individual installations and exhibitions. She’s a vocal advocate for sustainable practices in design, and her work often incorporates innovative technologies and materials. Her designs frequently utilize projection mapping and sculptural forms, pushing the boundaries of traditional stagecraft and creating truly immersive experiences. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to the arts, including the UK Theatre Award for Best Set Designer, solidifying her position as a leading figure in contemporary visual culture.
The interactive nature of Screenshare also speaks to a broader trend in contemporary art – a desire to break down the barriers between artist and audience. By inviting viewers to physically engage with the work, Devlin is challenging traditional notions of spectatorship and creating a more participatory experience. This approach aligns with a growing interest in immersive art and installations that prioritize audience interaction.
Tickets to The Vinyl Factory: Reverb at 180 Studios are available now and the exhibition is open from 10am to 7pm, Wednesday through Sunday, at 180 The Strand, London, WC2R 1EA.
Looking Ahead: The Vinyl Factory: Reverb concludes on March 2, 2025. Devlin’s future projects remain unconfirmed, but given her prolific output and continued demand, it’s likely we’ll see more innovative and immersive installations from her in the near future. Her ongoing exploration of the intersection between art, technology, and performance suggests a continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.