★★★
Imagine the world’s biggest stim toy or fidget-spinner, and then stick it inside a moveable platform, and you may get some idea of Groundswell. A new work by Matthias Schack-Arnott, an award-winning percussive artist from Melbourne, who may or may not unintentionally be hitting upon a very neurodivergent expression of sound and movement.
Nestled neatly and unimposingly in St. Peter’s Square, a stone’s throw from the local Aldi and Costa, this bizarre alien like construction should be akin to 21st Century Stone Henge, yet I fear local Brightonites are far too secular to worship at this shrine. It’s a shame because interactive art is exciting, especially for disabled and neurodivergent people, as it’s a way to interact in a sensory way to a piece of work in a medium which we are often locked out of.
Stepping onto the circular see-through platform is strange, it feels secure yet at any moment tips in a certain direction like an out-of-control compass. As it does loads of tiny metallic balls inside the platform flow like water clinking against dividers and pooling, all accompanied by the most pleasing of sounds, like waves. The sounds surround you, giving a weird affect where you can’t quite tell where they are coming from.
Groundswell succeeds as an atmospheric experience, but its curation as part of the Brighton Festival is lacking. It would work better if the atmosphere outside of the work matched the experience of the actual piece. Sadly, the bewilderment of staff and its lack of signposting means it’s treated more as a playground attraction than anything else.
Groundswell is part of the Brighton Festival at St. Peter’s Square till the 28th May.
