This winter, THG presents two immersive film installations by international artist Mikhail Karikis: Children of Unquiet 2014 and SeaWomen 2012.

The works share the experience of two very different communities; fisherwomen from the haenyeo community on Jeju island, Korea, and children brought up by the geothermal powerplant in Devil’s Valley, Tuscany.

Both communities have a unique relationship to their environment, which is rich in natural resources. As processes of extraction evolve, this way of life is increasingly threatened. Through sounds of labour and community, Karikis encourages us to think about legacy, resistance and possible sustainable futures, across the generations.

Children of Unquiet, 2013-14: Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton

This film was created with a group of forty-five children living in Devil’s Valley in Tuscany, a volcanic landscape and home to the world’s first geothermal power station. The area has become depopulated following the automation of the process of generating energy. The children take over the empty spaces, recreating the noises of both the natural and man-made landscape: the hissing of steam, the bubbling of water and groaning and rumbling of metal work. 

The children begin to read to each other from philosophers Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri book Commonwealth, 2020. It is through their collective voice that we can imagine resistance and change. As the children shout - ‘Love is the institution of revolution’.

SeaWomen, 2012 : Ocean, Queen's Drive, Exmouth - click to find out more

Mikhail Karikis is a Greek/British artist based in London and Lisbon. His work in moving image, sound, performance and other media is exhibited in leading contemporary art biennials, museums including the TATE and Whitechapel Gallery, and film festivals internationally. Karikis' varied practice encompasses video, installation, performance and sound. Increasingly, the artist has been using film as a way to ‘contain, capture, document and explore’ auditory culture. Of particular interest to Karikis are anarchic nonsense sounds – whistles, shouts, hisses and sighs – that are beyond the rules of ordinary verbal communication. 

Delivered in partnership with Arts and Culture, University of Exeter and Leisure East Devon. Supported by East Devon District Council and Arts Council England

This exhibition has been supported with loans from the Arts Council Collection. Founded in 1946, the Arts Council Collection is the UK’s most widely circulated loan collection of modern and contemporary British art and includes important examples by all of the UK’s prominent artists. For more information please see: www.artscouncilcollection.org.uk

Mikhail Karikis, Children of Unquiet, 2013-2014, HD video (colour) and stereo sound, 15mins 39sec. Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London © Mikhail Karikis