Rachel Pimm discusses her Jerwood Solo Presentations commission, her interest in manmade materials and their natural and chemical histories and applications, with Zoe Laughlin co-founder/director of the Institute of Making and the Materials Library project. Chaired by Chris Fite-Wassilak, writer, curator and previous Jerwood Visual Arts Writer in Residence.
Zoe Laughlin holds an MA from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and a PhD in Materials, Division of Engineering, King’s College London. Working at the interface of science, art, craft and design of materials, her work ranges from formal experiments with matter to materials consultancy and large-scale public exhibitions and events. Partners for these include Tate Modern, Hayward Gallery, V&A and Wellcome Collection. Current areas of interest are The Sound of Materials, The Taste of Materials and The Performativity of Matter, with outputs ranging from theatrical demonstration lectures to the making of instruments and features on radio and television.
Chris Fite-Wassilak is a writer, critic and curator based in London. He regularly contributes to Art Monthly, Art Papers, Art Review and Frieze, and co-organises the quarterly event ‘hmn’ with Anne Tallentire. A short book of new essays, Ha-Ha Crystal, will be published by Copy Press this autumn.
