Sarah Calmus on Right To Roam: 'I see the river every morning, so I’m all about the water'
An immersive, multi-sensory exploration of the River Forth that reframes water as a living force
Water is at the centre of Sarah Calmus’ world in Right To Roam, as the Edinburgh-based artist follows up on her recent multi-screen intervention, Uisge, with a full-on immersive experience. Calmus’ exhibition takes its title from the internationally recognised notion of a right to access public and privately owned land. Focusing on the River Forth, she utilises moving image, sculpture, sound and screenprints to take a deep dive into environmental pollution, climate change and how the natural landscape is threatened.
‘I wanted to talk about this idea within the lens of water,’ Calmus says of an exhibition that has its roots in a residency in Sweden. ‘I swim in the Forth quite a lot and I also row; because of where I live in Newhaven I see the river every morning, so I’m all about the water.’ Having decided to zero in on her subject through this prism, she explains: 'We’re all made of water; the tides are rising but we’re not looking after our water necessarily in the right way. I suppose I’m really focusing on the idea of thinking about water as a living body, because we often think about it as a resource, which it is, but it’s interesting to think about it through the lens of life itself.’
As well as a remount of Uisge, Right To Roam will include recordings of the Forth played through underfloor speakers that give audiences a physical experience of the underwater environment. 'Essentially the river will be dictating what you see and hear,' says Calmus. ‘I’m just highlighting the power of water. I’m not giving it voice; it already has a voice, but I’m translating its energy into the gallery space.’
Sarah Calmus: Right To Roam, Inspace, Edinburgh, Friday 8–Sunday 24 May.