As part of ‘reading in Reading‘ a collaborative project with David Raymond Conroy, Ghislaine Leung, Cally Spooner, Jesper List Thomsen presents a new painting, and public artwork, installed as a tabletop in Reading Central Library, replacing an existing top for a 12 week duration. Titled The body, the body, the tongue, the painting features a nine meter long line, a motive drawn indiscriminately. Its length is that of the average human digestive tract, starting from the mouth and ending at the anus. This first significant feature to form on the human embryo manifests in reverse to the function it later comes to serve. The painting will play host to a series of readings by the artists partaking in ‘reading in Reading’ as well as function as a table in the day-to-day life of the library.
“Language when spoken is the movement of air pushed up by the lungs, provoking vibrations of the cords, which are tuned by throat, nose and mouth. We most often take for granted that things travel in a certain way, perform in a certain manner. We are perhaps even inclined to a particular kind of shyness or submission when it comes to the movement of ideas and events that seems to take their cue from powers beyond us; like a body, or an automated reasoning task, or a corporation. The body, the body, the tongue is an attempt at making an image where the direction of movement isn’t predetermined, where a beginning and an end are interchangeable.” Jesper List Thomsen.
Jesper List Thomsen is an artist and writer based in Athens. He is also a part of Am Nuden Da. Recent exhibitions and performances include A Social Body Event, Serpentine Gallery, London; Hollis and Money, ICA, London/ Künstlerhaus, Stuttgart; Speak Through You, Hot Wheels Projects, Athens; Hand and Mind, Grand Union, Birmingham; The boys the girls and the political, Lisson Gallery, London; One Hour Exhibition, South London Gallery, London.
In partnership with Hogarth Productions
Reading Central Library opening hours:
Monday 10am to 5pm
Tuesday 10am to 7pm
Wednesday 10am to 5pm
Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 5pm