Exploring the relationship of both human and machine, the roles of both ‘conductor’ and ‘orchestra’ create iterative structures within Liz Wilson’s new multi-channel video installation.

The opportunity to work with Spiroflow was seized by Liz Wilson who’s interest in the beating drum of a conveyor in an industrial setting, created an immediate creative partnership between factory and artist. The resulting, Optical Mechanical is an ensemble of animation, sound and factory transformations, exploring the temporal aspects of production.

Using modulated voices and animation to explore the tempo and energy of each apparatus, the work recapitulated and evolved, simulating the synchronised spectacle of automation; the repetition of such, working as a catalyst and drawing parallels to the stretch of time between the industrial and post-industrial – pounding with the pulse of time itself.

Liz Wilson’s multimedia work encompasses visuals, whether static or moving, as well as explorations into sound. A graduate from the Royal College of Art, her practice explores the relationships between industrialisation, technologies and print. Her most recent exhibitions include Taoxichuan Museum of Art, China and Parc de la Villette, Paris.

Spiroflow is a global leader in the field of powder handling and Industry leaders in the field of bulk materials handling. A manufacturer of equipment such as mechanical conveyors, bulk bag fillers, bulk bag unloaders and other process equipment and an early inventor of the flexible screw conveyor – Spiroflow has multiple active patents, with innovative teams in Clitheroe and a US base in North Carolina.

“I think we are drawn to the unknown. We and the artist have no idea what this relationship is going to bring and I think that is really exciting.” Spiroflow

“Art finds the beauty in anything, and there is plenty of beauty in manufacturing.” Liz Wilson, Artist

Read more about the Art in Manufacturing Programme here.