The Mike Nelson: Extinction Beckons exhibition made me feel a plethora of emotions whilst travelling through the many installations, with some key emotions being confused, scared and uneasy. His installations were eery and dark, and truly emitted an atmosphere of being other-worldly which caused me to feel as if the world had been abandoned.
This atmosphere was especially prevalent in his ‘The Deliverance and The Patience’ installation, where I felt lost and claustrophobic whilst travelling through the labyrinth of rooms and corridors and not being able to find the exit. The rooms within this installation were disjointed from one another, with some being bare and only containing sleeping bags, and others being full of objects and appearing like a travel agent. What connected the rooms together for me, however, was the old and dirty nature to all of them, which made my experience of this installation a quick one as I hurried to find the exit.
(Mike Nelson: Extinction Beckons (2023))
The environments within each of his installations appeared quite different from one another visually, but the emotions of abandonment I felt as a viewer were quite similar throughout. Although I did find some installations such as the ‘Triple Bluff Canyon (The Woodshed)’ more enjoyable, because they provided a lighter environment which was a nice contrast to the darkness which came before.
It is ultimately the uneasy emotions I felt throughout my visit to this exhibition which I think makes it so successful. I believe Nelson’s intention is to create this conversation with the viewers, and to spark a discussion as a result. This exhibition showcased exactly what it was titled ‘Extinction Beckons’, and I would agree that the environments and atmospheres executed this exactly.
(Mike Nelson: Extinction Beckons (2023))
References
Mike Nelson: Extinction Beckons (2023) [Exhibition]. Hayward Gallery: London. February 22, 2023 – May 7, 2023.
All Images: Keeble, G. (2023). Mike Nelson: Extinction Beckons [Photograph].