This new performance created by Beth Kettel moves through the four natural elements - Earth, Water, Wind and Fire – and leads towards a fifth element – Ether – which connects the material world with metaphysical realms.

The five elements remain omnipresent archetypes embedded deep within the unconscious, while also being unpredictable forces in constant motion in nature - part of an eternal cycle of destruction and creation. In the performance, the elements act as different chapters or visions, reflecting parts of the psyche and stages of death in the dissolution and transformation of the body and the ego.

Bringing together ideas from psychology, alchemy and spirituality, this immersive experimental performance morphs across spatialised sound, reactive costume and installation. Wrangling between the light and the dark, force and initiation, the work reflects on the humbling and healing power of the elements, as well as perception, telepathy and consciousness.

7:00PM - 8:00PM

After the performance join Beth Kettel for a celebration and afterparty at The Model, Hockley. 8PM until late. Tickets for the afterparty will be available soon via Nottingham Contemporary.

Beth Kettel is a visual artist based in the UK. She has worked across the UK and internationally, in the gallery, public space and cinema. Her research-led practice spans performance, sculpture, moving image, installation, costume, sound and writing.

Kettel was previously a UK Associate at Delfina Foundation, London. She has presented work at Art Night, London; Göteborg International Biennial, Sweden; Jerwood Space, London; The ICA Screening Programme, London; Eastside Projects, Birmingham; Copperfield Gallery, London and The Lowry Galleries, Salford. She is a studio member at Primary, a studio fellow at Near Now and was recently in residence with Launchpad LaB, France.

bethkettel.co.uk

Please note the performance features: loud music, flashing lights, incense smoke, haze machine smoke. Earplugs will be available.

Find information about getting to Nottingham Contemporary and their building access and facilities here.

This event will be held in The Space at Nottingham Contemporary.

This event is wheelchair accessible.

If you have any questions around access or have specific access requirements that Nottingham Contemporary can accommodate, please get in touch by emailing info@nottinghamcontemporary.org or phoning 0115 948 9750.

Artist: Beth Kettel 

Sound collaborators: Aja Ireland and Tom Harris

Commissioned by Nottingham Contemporary and supported by Broadway’s Near Now using public funding from Arts Council England and Nottingham School of Art & Design through the Department of Fashion Practice Fund and the Advanced Textiles Research Group.