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‘Silent at Heart’ showcases the commissioned
artworks produced by 5 professional artists and 30 Art, Design and Media
A-Level students as part of an innovative arts & biomedicine project, which
uses Art to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young.
This
impressive exhibition of 40 artworks gives visitors a unique insight into
the medical investigations designed to identify those at risk of Sudden
Cardiac Death. Many of the artworks focus on the tragedy of ignorance
explored through a wide range of media: contemporary graphic language,
traditional and digital photography, film installations, silkscreen and
collograph prints. This powerful and complex exhibition also includes 3D
interferences in the space, a felt dress, double sided embroidery and a
curtained installation creating an enclosed space; an expression by one of
the young artists of her feelings of isolation.
“Love The
Life You Live, Live The Life You Love” (2007), a screen print on film and
ink jet print on paper by Zoe Childerley, Artist Facilitator, represents
both the physical and psychological issues of a potentially fatal condition.
The drawings are initiated in the very wires that play a part in the cardiac
examinations and form the shapes that relate to the long lives ahead of
these young people, mountains to climb and dreams to fulfil.
‘Silent at Heart’ is the
brainchild of the Brazilian born Artist and Curator Mauricio Vincenzi, whose
father died of Sudden Cardiac Death at the age of 32. Mauricio’s poetic film
installation fuses the nostalgic qualities of Super-8 film with the clarity
and clinical precision of medical imagery. A response to the unprecedented
“state of the art” medical technology which has allowed early stage
assessment and diagnosis to be more widely available; technology such as
ECHO imaging devices and the Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD),
which are transforming the lives and survival rate of young people.
Financed by an
award from the Wellcome Trust (www.wellcome.ac.uk),
the South East London Cardiac Network under the guidance of the Artist Lead
has developed the ‘Silent at Heart’ project over the last 6 months with a
focus on the symptoms and risk factors associated with these rare
conditions. The professional artists along with
the students
from Christ The King Sixth Form College, Lewisham, London underwent the
screening process for 'hidden' cardiac conditions and captured and
communicated visually their personal experiences of being screened.
All those screened where lucky enough to receive an all clear; sadly, during
the development of the ‘Silent at Heart’ project an estimated 210 young
people in the UK where not as fortunate.
The objective
of ‘Silent at Heart’ has been to produce awareness-raising materials
(commissioned artworks and short films, a website, interactive game and
CD-ROM) aimed at young people and primary care professionals (GPs and
nurses), highlighting the fact that those with family history of sudden
cardiac death at a young age (under 35 years old) and specific symptoms
should be encouraged to seek further assessment. ‘Silent at Heart’ has been
developed in partnership with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)
www.c-r-y.org.uk
Dr. Sanjay
Sharma, Consultant Cardiologist at Kings College and Lewisham Hospitals, and
internationally renowned specialist in the field, has acted as Clinical Lead
for the project: “Nobody has actually touched the hearts of parents and
school teachers like this project has and I think this is going to be an
enormous success and the starting point of many schools wanting to engage in
similar activities”.
These rare
cardiac conditions are hidden and “silent killers”, but are both
preventable, and treatable if young people get tested; this is the
underlying message behind ‘Silent at Heart’ – a truly lifesaving exhibition.
“Silent at Heart”
featuring commissioned art works by Zoe
Childerley, Maire Quinn, Kathy Schicker, Mauricio Vincenzi and Tim
Wainwright opens at The Air Gallery (lower gallery) with a Private
View from 5 – 9pm on Monday 3rd September (invites only) and the
exhibition runs from Tuesday 4th until Saturday 15th
September. The Air Gallery is open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and
can be
found at 32 Dover Street, London, W1S 4NE, admission is free.
Please visit
www.silentatheart.org
High-resolution images
available on request.
- Ends -
For
further information please contact:
Mauricio Lomba (aka Mauricio
Vincenzi)
Project Manager and Arts
Lead
SEL Cardiac Network
4i County House
221-241 Beckenham Rd.
Kent BR3 4UF
Email:
Mauricio.Lomba@lewishampct.nhs.uk
Mob: 07932-410497
Office: 020 8768 4950
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