The ‘Holy Souls’ exhibition took place in Bath in 2014 and was created by ‘alldaybreakfast’ - a group of 4 artists (Tommy Cha, Anwyl Cooper-Willis, Pat Jamieson and Carol Laidler), their process is collaborative and holds within it an intention to relocate the origin of innovation somewhere outside a single discreet consciousness.
“Alldaybreakfast installation, Fringe arts Bath, 2014
Steps lead down to a waiting room with chairs and furniture shrouded in plastic sheeting; a kind of limbo under construction, or the scene of a crime. Lit by low, blue light, this waiting space is like an airport lounge on the way to nowhere. Piped elevator music, an echoing Bossa Nova, endlessly repeats. Three doors lead out of this space - but which one is the right one to enter?
Holy Souls is a meditation on the transience of existence. The installation doesn’t confine itself to a single narrative. The texts, images and objects become part of the fabric of the building. Clues point to something having happened here or something about to happen.”
Tommy Cha – Portraitist who uses video, photography and assemblages.
Anwyl Cooper-Willis – Fine Artist (specialising in trying to get to grips with the multiple inconsistencies of the human condition through investigation of the paradox of the stated, individual, human aspirations and hopes, with the visible activities instigated by the leaders they allow, more or less willingly, to govern them.)
Pat Jamieson – Fine Artist
Carol Laidler – Artist (who explores ideas surrounding narrative, memory, and perception.)
I was fortunate enough to go to this particular exhibition with a friend. It was the first one I had ever been to and after we spent hours looking around and exploring the space, we were able to talk to one of the creators. We discussed our interests and what we found most interesting, we also exchanged contact details so for the next exhibition they created that was like this one, we could both be involved. Unfortunately they have not created another ‘Holy Souls’ exhibition, so we have recently decided to create our own – I have been able to build many contacts of important people in Bath, for example, the former Mayor of Bath who is now in charge of all of the art scenes in Bath.
The space was eerie, the long corridors in the basement with the what appeared to be random objects scattered about made the atmosphere almost like a horror film. You couldn’t see around the corners and some areas were almost pitch black, it’s like the artists wanted you to investigate the space, and leave no stone unturned.
Some places within the exhibition were inaccessible, but there was a small box with mirrors inside so you could see the hidden part of the exhibition – this piece put you on edge, you didn’t know what you were going to see, whether it was going to be an object, a figure or writing.
The whole exhibition felt like a mystery wanting to be solved. If I was able to go back to the exhibition, I would take my time more, figure out the clues and try to find a narrative.
I feel as though some of my work would fit in well with this exhibition – the suspense, eeriness and overall feel of some of the pieces I create could flow well with the work in this exhibition.
