'4th Dimension' - Jane Frazer (May 2007)

4th dimension1 Approaching Limousine Bull last Thursday evening (the 17th of May 2007) for the preview of Jane Frazer’s audio and textile installation ‘4th Dimension’, which is part of the Six Cities Design Festival, I became increasingly worried I had somehow got the wrong evening. Firstly, I noticed that the door was firmly closed and then I realised that there was no one else in sight. As I got closer however, I could here the chattering of many voices and when I opened the door, I immediately understood the necessity for its isolation.

Walking into the room, I found it was filled with textile ‘cells’ hanging from the ceiling in waves, encompassing the viewer as they stepped into Limousine Bull’s modest exhibition area. The flickering light, coming from a projection of Aberdeen’s streets and familiar granite buildings, was bouncing off the shimmering textile hangings adding to the enveloping effect of the installation. Over the chatter of the well attended event, the voices of two local men (Jimmy and Colin) could be heard, recounting their memories of Aberdeen in a recorded interview with the artist. With this stimulation of the senses, it was obvious why the exhibition had initially seemed closed off. If the door had been opened and welcoming, as in usual opening night scenarios, reality or daylight would surely have diluted, if not diminished, the impact of the installation.

4th dimension2 Jane Frazer’s science and arts background seemed to come together for this installation, which is running until the 27th of May, and her exploration into how we store and recount memories was well executed. I felt as though I had walked into someone’s mind and enjoyed surrounding myself with the imagery, sound and visuals that were all happening simultaneously. According to Jane Frazer, “The overall theme of this project is related to past experience exploring how we perceive and recall memories”. With this in mind, I feel it would also be rewarding to visit the installation when it is less busy as this would allow you to fully immerse yourself in the dreamlike quality of the artist’s work and cut yourself from off reality.

This installation is by no means a one off, and anyone interested in learning more about Jane Frazer and her video and textile installations can visit the website to her “small multifaceted business” called ‘Creative Spaces Scotland’. Here the artist produces a “wide range of innovative work drawing inspiration from the local landscape, the natural elements and modern urban society” and its success is evident in the commissions the artist has had from international clients such as Stolt Offshore Ltd, BP and Infosto. From my experience of the installation, it seems an exciting and new look into the world of science and art which anyone can feel part of. Whether you want to sit and contemplate the artists work for hours on end or simply just suspend reality for a moment or two, this installation cannot fail to have an effect.

Article by Kerry Russell
Photography by Ian & Jane Frazer, Creative Space Scotland
Click here to view 4th Dimension event flier