Image: David Cotterrell, images from a mapping project
in Bristol, 2007
Image: David Cotterrell, Saltley Geyser
David
Cotterrell
David Cotterrell’s work invades public spaces in unexpected ways.
In the middle of a Birmingham suburb, he created a man made geyser, which
through this spontaneous event of spraying water, created a meeting point
for local people. As part of the Gorbals redevelopment area in Glasgow,
he created an site specific audio work, where conversations and information
recorded from the community was programmed into an interactive conversation
‘machine’ called The Debating Society. Other projects have
been developed in sites such as a de-consecrated church and the maze of
platforms and stairwells of the London Underground.
But more so, David is interested in how artists can influence policy and also how the role of the artist may act as a social commentator and instigate debate. He has completed investigations into public art strategies, engaged with local communities and developed new technologies which have allowed people to publish anecdotes about their city. Working in a variety of mediums to develop his projects, including film, sound, interactive media, artificial intelligence and hybrid technology, David’s art practice focuses on the political and social aspects of our society, while always remaining sensitive and specific to each place that he works.
Over the last ten years, David’s work has been commissioned and exhibited in North America, Europe and the Far East, in gallery spaces, museums and within the public realm. He has recently completed an RSA Arts & Ecology residency in Kabul, Afghanistan as well as having spent time with the Royal Army Medical Corps and Royal Marine Commandos at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan. Drawing on these difficult experiences, David will share an artist’s perspective on the difficult subject of war in an exhibition at the Wellcome Trust later this year.