We do sincerely hope that this brief account of piano burning evaporates any initial conc… Another screen will show the results of a tracking camera on a scaffolding tower, circling 360 degrees and filming the panorama of the Scottish borders, the line of Hadrian's Wall, Venus dipping into the Solway Firth, Helvellyn and the only three other mountains in England, as well as a closer (smaller) hill called Tarnmonath and the North Pennines. Not only is it an instrument, it's a beautiful object that works as a sculpture but it has another function entirely." ... Douglas Gordon: The End of Civilisation. 2006, Douglas Gordon, Self Portrait of you & me (Steve McQueen), Made of cut-out colour coupler print with smoke and mirror on artist's mount Douglas Gordon Self Portrait of you & me (Steve McQueen) , cut-out colour coupler print with smoke and mirror on artist's mount 19 1/8 x 15¼in. Read more from him below: 5 remarkable health benefits of playing the piano, Main image: Flight Lt. Euan McFalls from the RAF helps explain the tradition of burning pianos, Company Registered in England no. Douglas Gordon burnt a piano as part of his film The End of Civilisation, commissioned by Locus+. Instead, they are a cherished tradition practised by those noble and heroic organisations we call the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force. After the Newcastle premiere it tours to form part of a Douglas Gordon retrospective in Tel Aviv and will then be shown at film festivals and exhibitions in Venice, New York, Berlin and London. A grand piano burning on the moors of northern England as the sun begins to set is just one of the evocative images in Douglas's new video. What is known more truthfully is that piano burning ceremonies are still an essential part of the Royal Air Force, and the tradition has spread across the pond to the United States. Douglas Gordon: k.364 is at Gagosian Britannia Street, WC1 (020 7841 9960, gagosian.com) until March 26. A second one goes up tonight. The Douglas Gordon and Morgane Tschiember piece looks most intriguing. Initially somewhat sceptical about the project, she has been won over and says: I've been thrilled to welcome such an amazing group of talented people here. In 2006, Gordon collaborated with Philippe Parreno on the general-release feature film Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, in which multiple cameras tracked every action and emotion of the soccer star during an important game. The crackling sounds of fire pervade the room, and one of the screens shows a burning object. After every battle, he would provide merriment and joy. Projected on the left screen was a film of a full-size grand piano burning on a hillside, its ivory keys and the shiny black lacquered wood of its legs, case and lid gradually engulfed in smoke and flame. One unlikely story claims that a piano was “delivered” by an F-15E Strike Eagle prior to burning! Alongside military traditions, piano burning has been included in visual art. On the side closer to the door are the remains of a burnt piano and a new Steinway, glaringly juxtaposed. You can book free tickets here. As with his other burnt instrument … Not only is it an instrument, it's a beautiful object that works as a sculpture but it has another function entirely", "I wanted to do something with a piano in a landscape of some significance and I suppose, as a Scotsman, there's nothing more significant than the border. Soon, Raffles, the dog, smells the smoke as well and starts to bark, alerting Squire Gordon and the townsfolk. Meanwhile Wainright's voice, accompanied by resigned piano chords, permeates the space during the daytime, while in the evening his silent gaze looks out plaintively at passersby on Park … The End of Civilisation is a major new commission and we're especially grateful to Arts Council England for their support.". Free. GB 638 3492 15, Copyright © 2021 Warners Group Publications Plc. Arts&Ents Douglas Gordon in New York City The below picture shows the artist burning what might be piano music. Find an in-depth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. Having begun his career as a performance artist, Gordon has produced a diverse body of works, which has grown to include video, sound photographic objects, and texts, often plays with viewers’ perceptions, memories and expectations. This lushly green and desolate locale overlooking the boundary between England and Scotland was once the border of the Roman Empire. Photograph: Colin Davison, It's not over 'til the piano singes. Douglas Gordon In The End of Civilisation , a grand piano burns at a remote site deep in the Cumbrian landscape. Gordon considered the piano to be the “ultimate symbol of western civilisation”, making a piano’s death a potent display. Douglas Gordon plots of the destruction of the piano. These new arrivals were considered un-cultured and lacking in the education of a proper member of the Royal Air Force. On stage in front of the screen, a baby grand piano stands over another piano that has been burnt to ashes—a recurring symbol for Gordon that here might allude to the cyclical nature of life. As we owe a huge amount of debt to the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force, as well as hundreds of other forces worldwide, may we keep allowing them to continue their tradition. But fear not, piano burning ceremonies are not practised by piano-hating cults who ambush them on the way to the Royal Festival Hall. In The End of Civilisation, a grand piano burns at a remote site deep in the Cumbrian landscape. I didn’t know what to expect – always a good place to start from; we never really … Photograph: Colin Davison, Keeping an eye on things. Claims have been made that the growth of the Royal Air Force during World War One resulted in the widening of recruitment beyond the “gentleman”. Douglas, probably best known for Zinedine Zidane: A 21st century Portrait, explained the symbolism of the piano burning: "a piano started to represent for me the ultimate symbol of western civilisation. Douglas Gordon's The End of Civilisation is a Great North Run Culture and Locus+ True Spirit co-commission. Much of Gordon's work is seen as being about memory and uses repetition in various forms. The Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota set fire to a piano as part of the 2011 Mona Foma arts festival in Tasmania. The work is to be called The End of Civilisation, and centres on shots of a grand piano burning in a dip in the fellside. Beth Bate, director of Great North Run Culture, said: " We're delighted to be working with Douglas Gordon and again with our partners Locus+. On the stage were two large screens side by side, angled towards each other in typical Gordon style. A grand piano burning on the moors of northern England as the sun begins to set is just one of the evocative images in Douglas's new video. Douglas Gordon featured a burning piano in his video The End of Civilisation. Work. Signed On Friday I sat and watched a grand piano burn for two hours. The final screen reveals the object to be a flaming grand piano. In April, he’ll be showing his forthcoming film k.364 at the DCA so I’m very much looking forward to that. Douglas Gordon (born 20 September 1966) is a Scottish artist. I’m quite taken with the dark, somewhat aggressive atmosphere that … Photograph: Colin Davison. From Biennale of Sydney, Douglas Gordon, Phantom (video still) (2011), Stage, screen, a black Steinway piano, a burned Steinway piano and monitor The (relatively) calm centre of this storm of activity was Turner Prize-winning artist Douglas Gordon, who had chosen the spot to make his first ever film in England – albeit within sight of his native Scotland. We do sincerely hope that this brief account of piano burning evaporates any initial concerns surrounding why pianos are burnt. When Jon Bewley of Locus+ led me to here, I thought it was beautiful to look from one country into another and I liked the idea Hadrian's Wall is, under a certain interpretation, a great end of civilisation. If you would like to know more or change your settings, please see our Cookie Policy. The procedure of piano burning ceremonies vary; some are carried out quite literally as it says on the tin, whilst others start with a pre-burning attack on the piano by sledgehammer-wielding pilots. The loudest noise you normally hear is the call of the curlews or the mewing of buzzards overhead. The burning for Piano Flamboyant took place on the roof of Arman's atelier in Nice and was filmed for a documentary by Gérard Patris which was later broadcast on French national television. The Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota set fire to a piano as part of the 2011 Mona Foma arts festival in Tasmania. Not long to go, though. He lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Menu. Funnily enough, like Yosuke Yamashita DG also set a grand piano on fire for his 2012 film End of Civilisation. If you continue to use this site we’ll assume you’re happy to receive all cookies. For many readers, the idea of burning a piano will fill them with horror, disdain and disgust. Alec is a graduate of the Royal College of Music with a Bachelor of Music Degree. But of course technically with what we're doing with the 360 degree camera, there is no end or start of civilisation. Douglas Gordon (born 20 September 1966) is a Scottish artist. Like all films, this one brings a boost to the local economy, with many local people being involved, and pubs and accommodation providers benefitting. Squire Gordon is relieved that Black Beauty saved John's life. Consequently, piano lessons ensued, much to the distaste of the new arrivals. He lives and works in Berlin, Germany. See available photographs, paintings, and installation for sale and learn about the artist. Three of our Northern Stars spent some time on the set of international artist Douglas Gordon's latest work, The End of Civilisation. Last night, however, the farm was overrun with activity, with over 30 people – cameramen, special effects specialists, firefighters, sound operatives, producers, arts commissioners, runners, a gardener, security people and assorted hangers on – from 10 different countries from Chile to Denmark (and many from Scotland) beavering away up the fellside prior to filming from an hour or so before sunset until an hour afterwards. Harriet Dean, whose ancestors have owned the place since the 1150s, farms her sheep at Talkin Head, runs the holiday cottages where the film crew has been based and has been providing their catering. A heavily made-up eye appears on the white background of the projection screen as Rufus Wainwright's voice and music fill up the space. Douglas Gordon featured a burning piano in his video The End of Civilisation. By Clare Henry. However, other legends refer to a pilot during World War Two who possessed considerable skill at the piano. Get even more piano-playing advice and inspiration with our monthly newsletters straight to your inbox. The scene was simple and arresting. Where the music's hot... Up goes a grand piano at Talkin Head. By Alec Coles-Aldridge. Which is not a sentence I’d ever imagined I might write. From Hollywood films to scientific footage to classical literature, Douglas Gordon takes the seemingly familiar and twists it. You can imagine the Scots looking over the wall and thinking "what the hell are those Romans up to now?" He won the Turner Prize in 1996, the Premio 2000 at the 47th Venice Biennale in 1997 and the Hugo Boss Prize in 1998. - so it's a nice game to play over that border on what civilisation actually is. Alongside military traditions, piano burning has been included in visual art. It is worth adding that the pianos burnt are not Steinway grand pianos; usually cheaper upright pianos are subject to the flames! But when the pilot was killed in battle, the tunes ceased. The piano lessons stopped, and soon other squadrons were using the same solution. View Douglas Gordon’s 333 artworks on artnet. Douglas Gordon : The End of Civilisation A grand piano burns in this epic film by Turner prize-winning Scottish artist Douglas Gordon. DOUGLAS GORDON -Phantom, 2011 - Video installation with soundStage, screen, a black Steinway piano, a burned Steinway piano, one monitor - Dimensions variable Phantom of Pain Phantom, the installation presently on show at Gagosian, was conceived and created in 2011, in collaboration with American singer - songwriter Rufus Wainwright. I'm really looking forward to seeing the results and hope it will encourage more visitors to this wonderfully beautiful but empty corner of the country. They are held as a commemoration for disbanded units; in 2014 the 65th Aggressor Squadron, part of the 57th Adversary Tactics Group (United States Air Force), burnt a piano in response to the deactivation of the unit. Go to the content Go to the footer Close On a site overlooking the ‘barbarian border’ between England and Scotland, a beacon is hidden deep within the Cumbrian landscape. The charred remains recall a funeral pyre in the desolate landscape. Flat for sale in Terrapin Road, SW17 (ref: 71091) with one of London's largest independent estate agents, Douglas & Gordon. On a site overlooking the ‘barbarian border’ between England and Scotland, a beacon is hidden deep within the Cumbrian landscape. Two of his most notable works involving piano burning were his 1965 Piano de Néron (Nero's Piano) and his 1966 Piano Flamboyant (Flaming Piano). Others place a beer for a fallen comrade on the piano along with the issued content of the serviceman’s clothing locker. He explains the symbolism of piano burning: "a piano started to represent for me the ultimate symbol of western civilisation. (48.6 x 38.8cm.) Dec 10, 2016 - The 22nd Biennale of Sydney, titled NIRIN, returns in 2020 from 14 March to 8 June, with Artistic Director Brook Andrew. An unfortunate incident at a squadron clubhouse caused a significant fire; enough to destroy a piano. We use cookies to improve your experience of this website by remembering your usage preferences, collecting statistics, and targeting relevant content. A grand piano burns in this epic film by Turner prize-winning Scottish artist Douglas Gordon. RCM graduate Alec Coles-Aldridge delves into the meaning behind piano burning ceremonies. They are now usually held after the passing of comrades; in 2015 a piano was burnt to remember two British Servicemen killed in a helicopter crash in Kabul, Afghanistan. In the night, Black Beauty smells a burning smell and Merrylegs tells them it's coming from the bags. The remainder of the squadron felt the most appropriate tribute was to burn his piano. Gordon considered the piano to be the “ultimate symbol of western civilisation”, making a piano’s death a potent display. The border theme will be continued when the film gets its premiere, on July 5th and 6th at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House, built on the line of Hadrian's Wall in central Newcastle. Jan 19, 2019 - The 22nd Biennale of Sydney, titled NIRIN, returns in 2020 from 14 March to 8 June, with Artistic Director Brook Andrew. More About Art Exhibitions Mozart Poland Violin … It was a showing of Douglas Gordon’s new film The End of Civilisation at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle, commissioned by the Great North Run Cultural Programme.. On my first visit I was overwhelmed to be in a landscape of such beauty and with such a huge unfathomable history.". 2572212 | VAT registration No. Gordon is somewhat known for his burned portraits, often of celebrities and famous artists. He won the Turner Prize in 1996, the Premio 2000 at the 47th Venice Biennale in 1997 and the Hugo Boss Prize in 1998. Douglas Gordon is a contemporary Scottish artist known for his ability to disrupt preconceived ideas about reality. It seems like there’s definitely an element of risk in creating these works, although the floor of the studio seems well suited to this sort of art-making. The exhibition Douglas Gordon: The Morning After was scheduled to open at the Giacometti Institute in Paris on April 24, 2020, placing original works by Gordon side by side with those of Alberto Giacometti.Unfortunately, owing to the covid-19 crisis, the exhibition had to be delayed for a year.As a result, the institution has invited Douglas Gordon to collaborate on several activities … The origins of piano burning are shrouded in legend and mythology. the finished work will screen at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle on the 5th and 6th of July, 2012. Burning grand pianos on the Scottish border Turner Prizewinner Douglas Gordon shoots his first film in England, bringing work as well as carefully-managed arson to a Cumbrian nook. Talkin Head is normally an extraordinarily quiet place – an isolated Cumbrian hill farm in a wooded valley nestled in the fells looking southwards towards the Lake District hills. Filmed near Brampton in Cumbria his film features a grand piano burning on a hill top with the Border in the background. Like most websites, we use cookies. Presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for the 19th Biennale of Sydney (2014), Phantom (2011) is one of Douglas Gordon’s most extreme … Another piano burns tonight and tomorrow the film crew will pack up their huge quantity of equipment and the farm will revert to the tranquillity that it has enjoyed for the last 850 years – until the next Scottish invasion. Ultimate symbol of western Civilisation ”, making a piano as part of the Mona... 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