With three prestigious exhibitions opening in London this month, artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is confirming the world-wide reputation for his creativity and output, following the success of last year’s show at the Venice Biennale. However it is Cardigan in west Wales which will soon become the site of his first ever permanent public art commission as part of Channel 4’s Big Art Project.

The exhibitions at the Barbican, Haunch of Venison gallery and Trafalgar Square come as Rafael is fine tuning the delivery of ‘Turbulence’ his contemporary and innovative installation at the Strand on the River Teifi.

Frequency and Volume opens on 9 October 2008 at The Curve, Barbican Art Gallery, London. The exhibition, which runs until 18 January 2009 marks Rafael’s first UK solo show in a public gallery, and transforms The Curve into a huge interactive sculpture which allows the visitor to see the usually invisible radio frequencies that constantly surround us. Rafael will be talking about The Curve commission, Frequency and Volume, and previous works in a free event on 9 October at 7pm at the Barbican Art Gallery.

Another forthcoming project is Lozano-Hemmer’s first exhibition at Haunch of Venison, London, 14 October–16 November 2008 which features 6 interactive installations, three of which are world premieres. Also in November 2008 he will show Under Scan in London, a work in which thousands of ‘video portraits’ of Londoners will be projected onto the ground of Trafalgar Square. The latter project will use the world’s most powerful projector to flood the area with white light. As people walk around the square, their shadow will be cast on the floor, revealing the video-portraits, with which participants will be able to interact.

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer said, “I’m delighted to have several concurrent exhibitions in the UK and see it as a great opportunity to help generate interest in my work with the Big Art Project in Cardigan. We have been given a clear and resounding ‘yes’ by the people of Cardigan to the revised proposal and I can now look forward to delivering an art installation that Cardigan can be truly proud of.”

Wiard Sterk, curator of the Big Art Project Cardigan, added, “The Big Art Project was extremely fortunate to have secured Rafael’s involvement and the final work will offer an excellent opportunity for Wales to showcase its important role as part of contemporary culture. Rafael’s London exhibitions are testament to his stature as an international artist of great renown and offer everybody a chance to get to know his work better before ‘Turbulence’ is installed in Cardigan.”

The people of Cardigan expressed overwhelming support for pressing ahead with the Channel 4 Big Art installation ‘Turbulence’ at a packed out meeting on Tuesday night at the town’s Small World Theatre. With a clear mandate from those present at the open meeting of 79% in favour of the scheme the project team will now move forward to the final feasibility and technical stage based on the new proposed location at The Strand, located further upstream on the other side of the old bridge from Prince Charles Quay.

Close to 100 people were in attendance to hear Cardigan’s chosen artist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer alongside curator Wiard Sterk, stakeholders in the Big Art Project and the technical feasibility team explain the details of the proposed interactive floating sculpture and respond to a number of practical queries and concerns linked to this ambitious project.

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, said, ‘The meeting was called in response to a number of issues concerning the practicalities of situating an ambitious art installation on the Teifi River. I needed the clear consent of the people of Cardigan for me to be happy to move forward to the next stage of the project.’

‘I was overwhelmed by the positive show of support from those in attendance for this project and I will ensure that this will be a great result for the town and people of Cardigan. We have been given a clear and resounding ‘yes’ to my proposal for the Big Art in Cardigan and I can now look forward to delivering an art installation that Cardigan can be truly proud of.’

A public meeting to discuss the latest news regarding the ambitious Big Art project will be held at the Small World Centre in Cardigan on Tuesday, September 2nd from 8pm onwards. Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Cardigan’s chosen artist, will be at the meeting along with curator Wiard Sterk and representatives from a number of stakeholders including the technical feasibility team. Anybody wishing to post a question for consideration in advance of the meeting is asked to do so by either e-mailing Rhodri@cambrensis.uk.com or posting comments here.

The meeting will be an opportunity to present findings from the feasibility and technical studies undertaken on the river using prototype buoys. Although the large amount of data has yet to be fully evaluated, initial findings seem to suggest the Strand, rather than Prince Charles Quay, may prove to be a more suitable and practical location for the final artwork. More tests remain to be done, but the final findings from the research and recommendations on the way ahead will be presented at the meeting and a public mandate sought.

Wiard Sterk, said, ‘The trials on the river Teifi, which are still ongoing, are gradually shedding light on a number of issues concerning the practicalities of situating an ambitious art installation on the Teifi. Once the processing of this data is complete we will need, with the consent of the people of Cardigan, to make some concrete decisions.’

‘If the long-term suitability of the Prince Charles Quay location needs to be looked at then we will need to bite the bullet and present alternatives. I hope as many people as possible can attend the meeting to allow a fully informed and open discussion on this exciting project.’

For further information please contact Rhodri Ellis Owen, Cambrensis Communications on 029 20 257075.

The next public meeting will be held in Cardigan on Tuesday, September 2nd. The exact time and venue will be announced over the next few weeks. Visitors logging on to this site will however have an opportunity to post questions and comments on the proposed artwork in advance of the meeting.

In attendance at the public meeting will be Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Cardigan’s chosen artist, curator Wiard Sterk and representatives from a number of stakeholders including the technical feasibility team.

Wiard Sterk, said, ‘The feasibility stage of the project is progressing well, with trials using prototype buoys on the river Teifi to assess the potential impact on wildlife and the practicalities of situating the installation on the Teifi. Many of the previously voiced concerns and comments have been taken on board.’

‘Detailed results from this feasibility study will be presented for discussion at the public meeting on September 2nd. The findings, which will include the artwork’s detailed design, technical specifications and an impact assessment on river navigation and wildlife, will directly affect the future viability of the artwork and will be the basis for any final decisions made regarding the placing of the artwork.’