VIGIL
A video installation by Ruth Jones
2009 Tregwynt Manor Ballroom, near St Nicholas, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
2010 Chapter Arts Cardiff
Recent work by Ruth Jones has focused on relationships between humans, animals and the land in Pembrokeshire and explores the magnetic pull that particular places have for people. Drawing on mythological crossings between humans and other animals, Ruth’s video installations and public art projects look towards greater fluidity between self, others and the environment.
Vigil explores the presence that Strumble Head Lighthouse has on the surrounding landscape in North Pembrokeshire. Strumble Head was built in 1908, and its rotating beam can be seen for thirty miles in all directions. Every lighthouse has its own distinctive “character”, recognised by a pattern and duration of flashes, in this case one flash every two seconds four times followed by seven seconds of darkness. Vigil explores how this rhythm has permeated the land for over a hundred years, seeping into the psyche of its inhabitants.
The installation also explores the lighthouse as a threshold place, situated between land and sea, day and night and human and animal kingdoms. Using Strumble’s regulated light pattern as a guide for editing both picture and sound, the film invites a quiet contemplation of the internal and external rhythms that influence our daily experiences, rituals and memories.
On the opening night, GWRANDO perform a live sonic event that responds to and interacts with the installation.
Gwrando presents/Gwrando yn cyflwyno: Vigil – a sonic response/ymateb sonig
In the mix/yn y cymysg
Seamanship for small craft – Safety at sea for amateur boat owners
John Edwards & Captain O. M. Watts
Eternal father – For Those In Peril – Rhos Male Voice Choir
Blow The Wind Southerly – Reflections – Tom Stringer Orchestra
Poseidon Adventure/Jaws Soundtrack – Geoff Love & His Orchestra
Pacific Shores – No Songs
Stranger On The Shore – Acker Bilk
Sailing – Rod Stewart
Edited extract from 25min performance
| Si Hei Lwli Mabi:Si hei lwli ‘mab Mae’r llong yn mynd i ffwrdd Si hei lwli ‘mabi Mae’r Capten ar y bwrdd Si hei lwli lwli lws Cysga di fy ‘mabi tlws Si hei lwli ‘mabi Mae’r llong yn mynd i ffwrdd |
trans.Hey lully my baby The ship is sailing away Hey lully my baby The Captain is on board Hey lully lullyloo Sleep my precious baby Hey lully my baby The ship is sailing away |
Lou Laurens, Rowan O’Neill & Jacob Whittaker
GWRANDO 