Towards a ‘spatial writing’: O Complex Mass

Lawrence, John

Abstract

The following contribution aims to convey a sense of O Complex Mass, an artwork I developed for Dilston Gallery, Southwark Park, London in 2022. O Complex Mass represents the first significant outcome resulting from a commitment to a new site-responsive approach to writing within my practice that I now refer to as ‘spatial writing’. This work is preoccupied with the complex relationship between writing and physical space – how the conditions under which we experience language (written or spoken) can have an impact on our understanding of its meaning. Could ‘site of reception’ be considered as a facet of language itself? By naming this approach ‘spatial writing’ I connect it to twentieth century avant-garde approaches within ‘spatial music’ as well as ideas around ‘critical spatial practice’ as defined by Professor Jane Rendell.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 21, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Apr 17, 2024
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 22, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 2, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Writing in Creative Practice
• Print ISSN: 1753-5190
• Electronic ISSN: 1753-5204
• Publisher: Intellect
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: ‘Ways of Writing in Art and Design II’ Part 2
• Pages: 21-31
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/jwcp_00060_1
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11977358