Andrew Carson

Visual Arts

01 October 2020 — 31 January 2021

About the Artist(s)

Andrew's practice is the exploration of the body and interpersonal interactions through digital technology. Influenced by Transhumanist thought, questions that continuously arise for him include; how do we reconcile virtual and physical realities, and can we overcome the psychological distances inherent in digital interaction? He is interested in the use and effects of digital devices and social media our ubiquitous means of contact. He works in a variety of media, including digital sound and image, print and paper.

Andrew is based in Dublin, holding an MFA from NCAD, having graduated from DIT with a BA Fine Art in 2010. He has shown in solo and group exhibitions extensively around Ireland, the UK, Greece, Italy, Spain, Poland and Japan. His work is featured in private and the OPW state collections.

About Andrew's Commission

“My aim is to use this commission to develop further the work begun with my recent exhibition "Until It’s Time For You To Go". This body of work explores moments of intimacy and connection between queer bodies. Through drawing, sound and text the exhibition unfolded intimate acts and feelings of closeness in casual circumstances, an impermissible situation within the current social restrictions.”

"A major component of this work was the creation of music from DNA and to create a symphony of lovers past. I asked five previous lovers for their DNA samples, which I then processed to create music extracted from their genetic code.

The music is a codified expression of the individuals’ genetic code. DNA markers are assigned specific notes before being algorithmically harmonised. The music is the song of the disembodied, separated from its original context and through this project imbued with its own agency."