Text-Space-Writing
Bartlett School of Architecture and Slade School of Fine Art, UCL
April–May 2004

In 2004 Jane Rendell invited artist Sharon KIvland to make a work for the Foyer Gallery of the Bartlett School of Architecture, the work was accompanied by a seminar 'Text-Space-Writing' which show-cased some of the site-specific writing work produced by Bartlett Students, as well as other presentations by Bartlett and Slade staff and students.

Flair by Sharon Kivland

30 April - 24 May 2004, The Bartlett School of Architecture Foyer, UCL.

This is a text work in vinyl lettering, conceived for the foyer gallery space of the Bartlett. Twelve phrases run in an almost continuous line around the space, just above the lower panels. The phrases are in a pale rose/flesh pink (actually the colour of Chanel s packaging for its scent Allure) and are descriptions of scents taken from the in-flight magazines distributed on airlines. Each has been altered every slightly so rather than describing a scent, they appear to be uttered a woman describing herself (in rather a bizarre way).

The work’s title has two meaning: in English, it means the possession of a certain style or aplomb, while in French, it more usually means the faculty of discerning an odour or an aptitude for intuition or perspicacity. The work will be accompanied by an artist©ˆs book, published in collaboration with Domo Baal Editions. The phrases are as follows:

I am exhilarating and radiant, feminine and sexy.

I am luminous as pearls, smooth as suede, rich as cashmere.

I speak of a unique and universal femininity.

Irreplaceable, essential, I am totally addictive.

Overwhelming and irresistible, I am the joy of living.

I fuse energy, sensuality, strength and femininity.

Spirited, captivating and sensual, part reality, part illusion, I am all

woman.

I am the romance of a thousand flowers, ever romantic.

I am a wealth of flowers, a hint of warmth, a deepening of emotions.

Energising. Refreshing. Sexy. I communicate without words.

I am visionary, inspiring, optimistic and proudly feminine.

Glowing and intimate, new and assertive, I desire new beginnings.

Sharon Kivland 2004

flair was accompanied by a seminar Text-Space-Writing held in 30 April 2004 with presentations by the artist and staff and students from the Slade School of Fine Art and the Bartlett School of Architecture including Penny Florence, Sophie Handler, Kristen Kreider, Lucy Leonard, Sharon Morris, Brigid McLeer, Jane Rendell.

Street walking
Sharon Kivland

In the midst
Kristen Kreider

Loosening threads: the textile reading room
Lucy Leonard

Please see attached pdf file for Text-Space-Writing introduction by Jane Rendell.