Late at Tate Britain: Mantra Explores Reflection in All Forms, Oct 7th

On Friday 7 October 2016, Late at Tate Britain: Mantra will be based around the striking work by Iranian artist Shirazeh Houshiary (b.1955), Veil (1999), which is currently on display in Tate Britain. The work is made of a black acrylic paint surface, over which the artist has inscribed Arabic language in pencil, expressing Sufi thoughts. The words have dissolved into a shimmering, ephemeral surface. Veil is part of a series of self-portraits, Houshiary creating her works either in a slow dance around the canvas, which is laid on the floor, or by bending into it as if in prayer, with each work taking five or six weeks to complete.

Late at Tate Britain is curated exclusively by 18-25 year olds from Tate Collective London, who produce a range of free events and festivals for young people to experiment, create and innovate through art and ideas. Late at Tate Britain is part of the Circuit programme, led by Tate and funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Circuit is a national programme that engages young people in the arts with a focus on encouraging those with least access to galleries and museums.

The evening, which will be the fourth event in the Late at Tate Britain 2016 series of free events curated by young people as part of the Circuit programme, will feature numerous performances, including live music and DJs from a range of backgrounds and influences. BBC Azn Network will fill the galleries with Bollywood, grime, rap and club sounds from artists Manara and Sweyn Jupiter, while Sarathy Korwar will fuse traditional folk music of the Sidi community in India with jazz and electronics. Spoken word artist Caleb Femi will perform poetry inspiring young Londoners to devise their own mantras, and the Theo Adams Company will realise a three-hour long contemporary performance exploring the concept of the ’veil’ in theatre, which will slowly build into a dramatic finale.

Linking to notions of reflection, artist Michelle Bisaillon will display a room full of mesmerising portraits with mirrors, while fashion designer Sadie Clayton will install a pop-up photo booth with sculptural fashion accessories, exploring social media and perceptions of the body. Visitors will also be able to participate in creating a large scale mural, where they will be invited to add their own personal mantras, while a ‘selfie playground’ will encourage visitors to take photographs and reflect on the body in new ways. There will also be a meditation space where visitors can relax amongst ambient sounds.

The final Late at Tate Britain event in this year’s series on 2 December 2016 will be themed around The Cholmondeley Ladies (British School c.1600-10).

Mark Miller, Circuit Programme National Lead said: “Shirazeh Houshiary’s Veil (1999) has provided fruitful inspiration for this Late at Tate Britain, on the theme of personal mantras and reflection. Young people on the Circuit programme are working with artists and musicians to create an insightful programme, and we look forward to meditating and discovering among Tate’s collection.”

Late at Tate Britain is a free, drop-in event, aimed at an 18+ audience. Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.

Late at Tate Britain:

Tate Britain, 2016

Friday 1 April 18.00-22.00

Friday 3 June 18.00-22.00

Friday 5 August 18.00-22.00

Friday 7 October 18.00-22.00

Friday 2 December 18.00-22.00

Special offer: 50% off current exhibition tickets for under 25’s on production of valid I.D (last entry 21.00).

Header Image Credit: Dan Weill Photography

Second Image:

Shirazeh Houshiary (born 1955)