Rita McKeough
Artist's Statement
"In my installation and performance work over the past 25 years I have consistently interacted with architectural spaces and implicated architectural systems, often destroying and consuming the walls themselves. I work from a feminist perspective, sometimes more directly than others. I have always been drawn to social issues, idealism and social change. In my most recent work I am experimenting with electronic and mechanical devices.
"I plan to use the residency at the Grande Prairie Regional College to continue the research and production of a new site specific installation work with audio and interactive electronic components to be exhibited at the Citadel historic site in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I am working with a group of artists to create new installation works that responds to responds to the history of the site. For this new piece I will continue to explore the potential of the performing object as it relates to the specific context of the Citadel site.
"In my research for this new piece I am interested in the structures and rhythms of military drill and procedures. I would like to construct robotic counting machines that will interact with the audience as they move through the exhibition space. The machines will reference clocks, drums and the gestures of the body performed during the drills and procedures occurring at the citadel. The movement of the audience would trigger the playback of the audio components as well as the movement within each machine. The audio components of the machines would mimic and respond to the marching, drumming and vocal commands that resonate throughout the Citadel parade area.
"My interest is in creating an interactive environment through sound and sculptural objects which allows for a different interpretation of the history of the Citadel and the current representations of the social systems embedded in that history. I will begin the development of the piece during the winter and continue with it during the residency.
"I am very pleased to be participating in the Prairie North Residency and I look forward to my visit in Grande Prairie. The research and technical experimentation accomplished during this residency will be crucial to the development of this new work. I am very excited by this project. This residency is an amazing opportunity for development within my practice and my career."
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