Darren Almond, Night + Fog (Norilsk) (5), 2007
Hosted by the Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art, ‘Fire Under Snow’ is the exclusive UK exhibition of recent works by British artist Darren Almond. By harnessing the symbolic power of place and object, Almond explores the themes of time, memory, exploitation and corruption.
Drawing upon his own experiences of travelling through some of the world’s most remote terrains, Almond has utilised his personal encounters to inspire this outstanding collection of works, which combined, reflect upon the over-arching human experience.
Focusing on both the plight of humankind and his own perceptions, the main body of Almond’s work is the film ‘In The Between’. Shot in China and Tibet, the film focuses on the symbolic nature of the highest train route in the world. Reaching up to 5,000 metres, and running from China to Tibet, the train line is presented as an embodiment of China’s political and cultural imperialism.
By contrasting images of the train with those of Tibetan Buddhist monks, Almond alludes to the apparent lack of awareness that the Chinese train passengers have towards the political situation that runs through their neighbouring country.
Keeping his subjects politically charged, Almond goes on to explore the exploitation of Indonesian miners in his second film ‘Bearing’. Focusing on the severe conditions under which they work, Almond has captured evocative footage of workers breathing polluted air – making the viewer ponder the environmental detriment and human cost of capitalist-based industry.
With other thought-provoking themes including the environmental damage caused by mining in Siberia and the unstoppable passage of time, ‘Fire Under Snow’ illustrates Almond’s unswerving commitment to tackling a multitude of world issues. Through film, stunning photography and suggestive sculpture, Almond has produced a collection of work that masterfully combines universal comment with a deeper personal resonance.
