Interferences
2005
Interferences project is based on a collaboration between Varvara Shavrova and archaeologists involved in excavations and research project investigating landscape and archaeology at Shovel Down Bronze Age site in Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England. In 2004 and 2005 Shavrova was invited to work as Artist-in Residence at Shovel Down, where she researched into processes of archaeological drawing and recording.
During her residency at Shovel Down in July 2005 Shavrova selected, observed and recorded excavations of four different trenches. Once the excavations were complete, Shavrova responded to the layout and contents of the trenches and created a series of four site-specific installations.
‘Interferences’ investigate the process of archaeological excavation and present interference with the earth as a process comparable to medical surgery performed on human body involving cutting, removing, cleaning and stitching back. Using archaeological tools found on site and routinely implemented by archaeologists including pins, tape and string, Shavrova wrapped, pinned and sewed the stones, the turf and the earth, and created a three dimensional in situ installations that reflected on the dynamic juxtapositions between natural and man-made elements of archaeological processes.
The installations were viewed on site by visitors to the Dartmoor National Park and the Shovel Down during nationwide Archaeology Week. The installations remained in situ over a period of 72 hours, after which they were dismantled. Installations were documented by a local photographer, and images of the four Interferences installations were exhibited at the offiCina gallery at Factory 798 during the 3rd Dashanzi International arts festival DIAF in Beijing in April-May 2006, and at the Moorlands gallery at the Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre in June-July 2006.