Gormo in Guernsey

Ever noticed the hair pricking up on the back of your neck when circling the Model Yacht Pond? or, taking a private dip at the bathing pools, turned to confront an observer only to find no one there?

Unknown to the islanders going about their daily lives, dark and brooding figures are watching their every move with an unflinching gaze. The works belong to the Insider series by Anthony Gormley, and have been installed in Castle Cornet since May. Gormley, most famous for the Angel of the North and a collection of figures spread across London rooftops called Event Horizon, has brought to Guernsey LOT, an installation that forms a part of the International Artist in Residence Programme.

The usually sunny and familiar sight of the castle takes on a more sinister air with the addition of these works, and is a perfect venue for the five figures. Its location, with only one approach by foot, affords the artist a valuable level of control over how the viewer is introduced to the piece. The figures start out distinctly human, to such a degree that they could almost be mistaken for tourists risking the high walls. However, as the viewer draws closer to the castle, more of their alien distortion, thin limbs and jutting members become visible, and begin to lend the art its dark and unfamiliar discordance.

It is only once inside the castle that the true brilliance of the installation is revealed. As you navigate the castle's tiered structure, the figures constantly disappear and reappear amongst the walled gardens and staircases. They are mostly planar in form, and flat, except for their pointed penises. This allows each reappearance to give details of different aspects, subtle colours, and the relative positions of the limbs, forming the strong sense of a site populated by innumerable silent suggestions of humans. This effect is so potent that it seems the castle was made for the figures and them for it; an organic feel, as if all were formed together.

This feeling is only broken by the presence of Diaphragm V, a figure more naturalistic in form than the Insider series. Although an interesting work, its placement in the base of the tower – almost as an afterthought – succeeds only in breaking the spell cast by the rest of the installation. Lit by a bare electric bulb and well signposted, unfortunately its addition only detracts from the power of the other works. Entry to the exhibition is free for students, but £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for OAPs, so it’s also a bit dear (although only £1 to visit after 4pm). These are the only things that mar this otherwise thought provoking and powerful installation.



Documentary of recent Antony Gormley installation "Lot" at Castle Cornet, Guernsey. Film by Peter Root and Paul Arnett www.paulandpeter.com, in association with The International Artist in Residence programme www.iairp.com

Text by Kirsty