Becoming Rock: Crom Allt Burn 1 explores how bodily immersion in snow, ice and water might generate new ways of experiencing and understanding landscape.
Working in winter conditions in Tyndrum, in the West Highlands of Scotland, Wilson created a series of performative photographs that place the body within snow, on the riverbank and in the icy waters of the burn. Alongside these, charcoal drawings were made by moving through the snow at a low level, allowing bodily movement and contact with the winter landscape to generate marks on paper. Additional tactile drawings explored river rocks through touch rather than sight, extending the enquiry into embodied ways of sensing place.
Together, the photographs and drawings explore relationships between body, snow, water and stone through direct physical engagement with the landscape.
Performative Photographs
The photographic series documents a sequence of performative encounters within the winter landscape surrounding Crom Allt Burn. Working in snow, on the riverbank and in the icy waters of the burn, Wilson used her body to explore different forms of physical contact with the landscape.
Concertina Charcoal Drawings
The concertina charcoal drawings were made as Wilson moved through the snow-covered landscape. One series was created when deep snow completely covered the ground and only the contours of hidden rocks could be sensed beneath the surface. The second was made after the snow had melted, when the rocks became visible again. Together, the drawings register how changing conditions altered bodily movement, touch and the marks made on paper.
