How artists transform a seaside town into a living gallery of environmental urgency, historical memory, and collective imagination
“Their vision of the festival marries contemporary concerns with artistic flourish and remains true to the idea of ‘treating the town like a gallery’. One of the most interesting aspects of Folkestone is how artists embed their works within the town’s context. Where we expect to see artworks in the white cube of the gallery experience, here the locations and their discovery reverberate with power that imparts a sense of magical realism. The expected world redevelops into perfect settings for artistic vision. Often it takes the form of subtle language or communication; the act of walking and discovering each location assumes a potent frequency. While it remains possible to reduce each artwork by intention and execution, the overwhelming installation feeling of the triennial lingers with visitors. All artists attempted location-based work that used the symbolism of their settings to create an immanent frame for what they wanted to convey.”
