Press release: Hetain Patel, Baa’s House 11

CIRCA PRESENTS NEW WORK BY HETAIN PATEL IN COLLABORATION WITH THE FILM LONDON JARMAN AWARD

CIRCA, Piccadilly Circus, W1
1-30 November 2021

Manifesting in heroic scale a figure often overlooked by media and advertising, Hetain Patel broadcasts ‘Baa’s House 11’ a poignant new commission for CIRCA showcasing a first-generation immigrant matriarch towering over the streets of London, Milan, New York, Seoul and Tokyo throughout November.

Presented in collaboration with The Film London Jarman Award, ‘Baa’s House 11’ embodies the spirit of iconoclastic filmmaker and polemical gay activist Derek Jarman. Influenced by his legacy of challenging perceptions, giving a voice to marginalised communities and pushing creative practices forward, The Mayor of London has supported Patel in creating a special trompe-l’oeil 3D experience exclusively for Piccadilly Lights, as part of their ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign.

Exploring themes of immigration and identity on a global stage, ‘Baa’s House 11’ pays homage to Patel’s grandmother, performed by Indian Kathak dancer, Vina Ladwa. Co-opting billboard spaces in five major cities, Patel shows his grandmother looking out from the screen, empowered in everyday labour, whilst surveying passers by watching below. Typically under-represented in such spaces of mass media and advertising, the matriarch challenges audiences around the world to confront the power of such torchbearers of cultural heritage within the migrant community.

Patel, winner of the 12th Film London Jarman Award notes: “I am interested in a representation of my grandmother occupying this space instead, striking, and powerful in her domestic action…. The invitation to occupy such iconic spaces around the world is huge – physically, artistically, and culturally. Working at this scale is both daunting and thrilling. I can’t wait to share this new commission with audiences in London and beyond.”

Hetain Patel is a celebrated British artist of Indian descent who frequently works with family members, exploring the creative potential inherent in familial bonds and domestic settings. Baa’s House 11 can be viewed 1-30 November 2021 at the following times and locations:

20:21 Piccadilly Lights, London
20:21 K-Pop Square, Seoul
20:21 Luxottica Piazzale Cadorna, Milan
20:21 Luxottica Times Square, New York
09:00 Yunika Vision, Tokyo
20:21 CIRCA.ART

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture & Creative Industries, said: “In London, our diversity is our greatest strength. Our city is home to migrants from all over the world and this artwork will place traditionally underrepresented communities centre stage in the capital. Hetain Patel’s powerful and moving artwork at the Piccadilly Lights Screen is just one of a number of new exhibits and events in the capital this winter as we continue to showcase the best of our city and welcome visitors from across the UK and beyond. It is part of our ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign – the biggest domestic tourism campaign London has ever seen.”

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said “We are thrilled to collaborate with CIRCA on presenting Jarman patron Hetain Patel’s work in this way. This year, more than ever, it’s vital that we continue to protect and support artists to challenge perceptions, push creative practices and have their voices – and those of the communities they represent – heard. This was precisely the spirit of Derek Jarman, and Hetain’s commission brings this spirit to the centre of London life, and beyond.”

The 2021 Film London Jarman Award, of which Hetain Patel is a patron, will be announced on 23 November 2021.

HETAIN PATEL #CIRCAECONOMY PRINT

Patel has created a limited-edition #CIRCAECONOMY print, available to purchase on CIRCA.ART for £100 between 1-30 November. The funds we generate from artist print sales drive the #CIRCAECONOMY – a circular model that creates life-changing opportunities for the art & culture community. In October 2021, Joseph Wilson was selected by Marina Abramović as the CIRCA x Dazed Class of 2021 winner, receiving a #CIRCAECONOMY cash prize of £30,000. The print will be available to purchase from here.

–ENDS

Click here to download images and assets

For press information please contact:

CIRCA
Reece Prince Watson
E: press@circa.art
T: 0044 7899 043357

Film London
Haylie Read: Senior Press & Communications Manager
E: haylie.read@filmlondon.org.uk
T: 0044 7970 543867

Notes To Editors

HETAIN PATEL
Hetain Patel (b.1980, Bolton) is a London based visual artist and performance maker. His live performances, films, sculptures, and photographs have been shown worldwide from the Venice Biennale, Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art, Beijing and Tate Modern, London to Sadler’s Wells, where he is a New Wave Associate. Patel made his first dance company work for Candoco in 2014, which toured internationally for five years. His work exploring identity and freedom, using humour, choreography and text appears in multiple formats and media, intended to reach the widest possible audience. Patel is the winner of the Film London Jarman Award 2019, Kino Der Kunst Festival’s Best International Film 2020, and was selected for the British Art Show 9, a Hayward Touring exhibition.

CIRCA
CIRCA is a digital art and culture platform with purpose. We stop the clock on global media space every evening at 20:21 and mobilise the world’s greatest creative minds to broadcast unique works that consider our world circa 2021. The funds we generate from artist print sales drive the #CIRCAECONOMY – a circular model that creates life-changing opportunities for the art & culture community.

Since launching in October 2020 on London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights, CIRCA has commissioned new work from rising and established artists including Ai Weiwei, Cauleen Smith, Eddie Peake, Anne Imhof, Patti Smith, Tony Cokes, Emma Talbot, Vivienne Westwood, James Barnor, David Hockney and more.

SUPPORTERS
CIRCA has been made possible by Landsec, landlord of Piccadilly Lights, who have kindly donated media space, as a helpful boost to the cultural scene in London’s West End.

We are grateful to Piccadilly Lights, Ocean Outdoor, Yunika Vision, CJ Powercast, Luxottica, Heart of London, Barakat Contemporary, Lisson, Thaddaeus Ropac, and Gagosian for their continued support in enabling the presentation of our free public art programme around the world.

CIRCA would especially like to thank The Film London Jarman Award team and The Mayor of London’s office for their support this November.

THE FILM LONDON JARMAN AWARD
The Film London Jarman Award recognises and supports artists working with moving image and celebrates the spirit of experimentation, imagination and innovation in the work of UK-based artist filmmakers. The Award is inspired by visionary filmmaker Derek Jarman and is presented in association with the Whitechapel Gallery.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Award has built an enviable reputation for spotting rising stars of the UK art world. Previously shortlisted artists include Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Oreet Ashery, Duncan Campbell, Monster Chetwynd, Luke Fowler, Imran Perretta, Charlotte Prodger, Laure Prouvost, Elizabeth Price, James Richards, and Project Art Works all of whom went on to be shortlisted for or to win the Turner Prize.

FILM LONDON
Film London is the capital’s screen industries agency. We connect ideas, talent and finance to develop a pioneering creative culture in the city that delivers success in film, television, animation, games and beyond. We work to sustain, promote and develop London as a global content production hub, support the development of the city’s new and emerging filmmaking talent and invest in a diverse and rich film culture. Funded by the Mayor of London and the National Lottery through the BFI, we also receive support from Arts Council England, ScreenSkills and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Film London’s activities include:

Maintaining, strengthening, and promoting London’s position as world-class city to attract investment through film, television, animation and games
Investing in local talent through a range of specialised production and training schemes • Boosting employment and competitiveness in the capital’s screen industries by delivering internationally facing business development events
Maximising access to the capital’s film culture by helping audiences discover film in all its diversity • Promoting London through screen tourism

Film London also manages the British Film Commission (www.britishfilmcommission.org.uk) through a public/private partnership which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport through the BFI, and the Department for International Trade.