Genetic Automata
Wellcome Collection, London
Date: 2023
A timely exploration into the roots of genetic science and its lasting implications for contemporary understanding of race
Installation views of Genetic Automota
Photo: Stephen Pocock
‘Genetic Automata’ is an ongoing series of video works by artists Larry Achiampong and David Blandy exploring race and identity in an age of avatars, video games and DNA ancestry. The four films in the series investigate where deeply ingrained ideas about race come from and the role that science has played in shaping these perceptions. The exhibition premiered ‘GODMODE_’, the newest film in the series, commissioned by Wellcome Collection, Black Cultural Archives, and Wellcome Connecting Science.
JA Projects was appointed by the Wellcome Collection to design an exhibition space that supported visitors in engaging with content – both video installations and objects – that are at times mesmerising, and at other moments thought-provoking.
Installation views of ‘Genetic Automota’
Photos: Thomas Adank
Spatial Layout
The design is oriented around a sequence of generous and comfortable film rooms dedicated to each of the four films. Between these rooms, expanding and contracting circulation areas provide quiet and calm spaces to reflect on the challenging subject matter. The work that populates these areas – and in some cases the film rooms themselves – are presented as a series of stumbled-upon artefacts, a nod to the objects depicted in the films which are incidentally encountered across various landscapes.
Installation views of Genetic Automota
Photos: Thomas Adank and Steven Pocock
Film Rooms
Working at the interface of art and science to merge historical artefacts with digital environments, the artists use their passion for gaming as a tool to discuss racial issues. Each film has a spoken word track and employs a range of imagery constructed using video game techniques and technologies.
Consequently, the design language of each film room takes inspiration from the construction of video games themselves and the grid-like framework that is the basis of any gaming environment. This grid is expressed through a timber wall structure wrapped in monochromatic sheer fabrics that reflect the dominant colours and tones expressed within each film. The result is a sequence of atmospheric spaces that transports visitors to each of worlds depicted by the artists.
Installation views of ‘Genetic Automota’
Photos: Stephen Pocock
Objects courtesy of UCL Science Collections
Display of objects
In keeping with an exhibition design that draws inspiration from the artist’s output and influences, objects drawn from University College London Special Collections, are housed in showcases that nod towards the totem-like structures habitually expressed throughout science fiction. Read alongside a broad range of supporting material – books, films, video games and electronic music – the distributed display of objects immerses visitors within the context in which the works were made and the mind of the artist.
Future considerations
Circular economy principles drove the development of the exhibition, through a combination of re-purposed existing stock and new elements designed for disassembly and re-use.
“Jayden, Divya and the team at JA Projects were a dream to work with on the exhibition design for Genetic Automata. They took a forensic dive into the artists' practice and really got a deep understanding of their work. The ambition and level of detail in the design really highlighted the artists' work whilst creating immersive and relaxing environments in which to view their films. We very much look forward to working with JA Projects again in the future.”
-Matt Nightingale, Exhibition Producer
Core Team
JA Projects, Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design, Mark El-khatib Studio (2D Design), Shamita Sharmacharja (Curator) Matt Nightingale (Exhibition Producer)
Particulars
Client: Wellcome Collection