Katayoun Dowlatshahi: ORBIT Free

Orbit is a site specific response to the artist’s exploration of the Isle of Wight. Quay Arts 2010 Open Winner; Katayoun Dowlatshahi investigates the hidden story of the rocket testing site in West High Down, Isle of Wight.

Unbeknown to many of its own community, the Island was at the forefront of the British Space Program testing engines for rockets destined for space during the Cold War era. Though little remains of the tall gantry towers and infrastructure, you can still sense the immensity of the activity today.

For this new body of artwork, Katayoun brings together six large format photographs of (at first glance), space-bound views of Earth, only to be taken from land of the sea and the sky; altering their relationship to present a very different perspective of Earth.

The physical archaeology of the site is documented through a series of photographs, which Katayoun disjoins and reconfigures to create realistic but illusionary spaces. The symbolism of ornithological code names given to booster and sustain rocket engines are equally significant and incorporated into the work.

With the support of National Trust, Astrium, Mullard - Space Science Laboratory and Arts Council England, Katayoun has co-ordinated a live offsite event (Orbit - Offsite) at West High Down, to mark 40 years since the launch of Prospero – the only British built satellite to be placed into Earth’s orbit atop a British built rocket - Black Arrow, which was built and tested on the Island. The event will see the return of working pulse jet rocket engines to the site by eleven apprentices from Astrium* in Portsmouth. The launch of a scale model of Black Arrow; three eminent speakers covering topics ranging from a historical, scientific and business perspective; a memory wall for those associated with the British Space Programme to contribute to either in the form of memories or artifacts; interactive activities for all ages, finally leading to a lantern launch at dusk. THE EVENT IS FREE!

Visit www.quayarts.org for up-to-date information on this very special offsite event.

Katayoun is an Iranian-born British artist working in contemporary photographic art, drawing, architectural glass and time based media. Trained in Edinburgh, Winchester and Barcelona with a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Gloucestershire, she has worked on a number of National and International residencies, exhibitions and public realm commissions.

A fully illustrated catalogue will accompany the exhibition, documenting the activities involved during Orbit – Offsite, including an essay by Les Buckingham Co-Curator of Millais Offsite Projects at Southampton Solent University.

This exhibition is support by ACE Lottery, National Trust and Astrium*.

*Astrium, A European Space Technology company.