Katy Dove

we get the sense that we are witnessing some kind of organic process, a slow-paced biological dance both alien and strangely familiar

Article by Jay Shukla | 16 Apr 2006

Dove's orchestration of simple shapes and vivid colour owes an obvious debt to the likes of Klee and Kandinsky, and it's likely that anyone who has ever found themselves enamoured with works by these two masters will also find something to engage with here. The main installation is a video work entitled 'a who?' in which shapes slide and rotate past one another, their hues shifting in intensity as they do so. The accompanying sound design features soft, hypnotic atmospheres layered together using the artist's voice, flute, and recorded ambient sounds. When this aural catalyst is experienced together with the languid, easy movements of the projected abstract forms we get the sense that we are witnessing some kind of organic process, a slow-paced biological dance both alien and strangely familiar. Two other video works are also on show; the vibrant, vibrating shapes and repeating patterns of 'Amanda' phase and multiply in resonance with the music, instilling a warm and soothing euphoria in the viewer. 'Gondla' is altogether more jolly, its scrolling background and lively, dynamic forms creating an engaging narrative quality which will leave you feeling buoyant. The paintings and automatic drawings upstairs are less convincing; the modesty of their achievement underlining the artfulness of the sound and video compositions downstairs. A pleasing (and very soothing) show, all told. [Jay Shukla]

Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh until April 8, free.