Modern Nature: AN Homage to Derek Jarman
Part One
13 – 16.09.2019
Adrien Chevalley, Karim Crippa, Chelsea Culprit, Audrey Danza, Ecar, Marie Griesmar, Jean-Yves Le Baron, Julie Monot, Garrett Nelson, Florence Peake and Eve Stainton, Prem Sahib, Simon Fisher Turner, Marius Valente / Rhinoplasty, Judith Vrancken
In summer 2019, La Becque started developing a garden and artistic program inspired by the life and work of filmmaker, artist and writer Derek Jarman (31 January 1942 – 19 February 1994). Along with numerous feature and short films, paintings, sculptures, diaries and essays, Jarman left behind an extraordinary garden that he developed around the cottage he acquired near Dungeness, on the southeastern English coast of Kent, until his death in 1994. Despite the adverse coastal conditions (rough shingle beaches, constant biting wind and sea mist), Jarman’s garden flourished. Since its inception in 1986, the place has become an acclaimed “total” work of art, visited by many among Jarman’s admirers and friends, during his lifetime and after.
Curated by Elise Lammer, Modern Nature includes the development of a garden composed of local and native species integrated into the pristine lakeside spaces of La Becque, the commissioning of site-specific artworks as well as thematic film screenings, performances and music events.
Taking its name from Derek Jarman’s second volume of diaries, which dedicates the majority of its pages to the Dungeness garden, Modern Nature takes on and expands upon the driving themes of La Becque, an artist residency dedicated to exploring the relationship between nature, the environment and technology through the arts.
The first part of the project opens to the public with a four-day event series and open air exhibition taking place inside the freshly blooming garden. In parternship with several local and international art institutions, it was developed this year around the theme of “Camp” with series of artistic events and contributions echoing the work of residents at La Becque, while responding to the growing body of research developing around Derek Jarman.
Photo credits: Julien Gremaud and Diana Martin