Exhibition puts spotlight on time

A big interactive calendar takes centre stage in a new Norwich art exhibition putting the passing of time in the spotlight. Marking Time(s) – an exhibition by artist Ann Hulland – is at Norwich Cathedral’s Hostry until 24 September 2022.

Paying tribute to Norwich Cathedral’s 900 years of history, a special 40-minute projection onto the Hostry’s medieval stone highlights the names of past clergy who have served at the Cathedral over the last 9 centuries.

Meanwhile visitors are asked to make their own mark on another one of the exhibits – a unique 3D calendar celebrating the present day.

The calendar is made from 12 large fibre drums – one for each month of the year – and every visitor is asked to record their visit by posting a special token into the slot that represents the date of their birthday. Special interactive buttons on the sides of the barrels also give people the chance to peek inside the drums and see how many people have interacted with the artwork to date.

The drums are used to transport grain around the world, and their use in the exhibition is a nod to the fact that the site of the Cathedral’s modern day Hostry was originally part of the medieval monastery where travellers were offered food and a night’s shelter.

Other artwork on display in the exhibition includes paintings, drawings and box prints made during the Covid pandemic, marking the strangeness of this time.

Artist Ann Hulland, who is based in London, studied Fine Art at Newcastle University and who worked in higher education, latterly as an Associate Professor in Fine Art at Kingston University until 2017, said: "The exhibition is producing a strong positive response, with all generations enjoying interacting with the calendar and engaging with the two dimensional work. The exhibition is serene and thoughtful. It has been a rewarding challenge to make a site-specific work for the Cathedral which examines the relationship between my concerns as an artist and the wonderous stature and history of the Cathedral."

Professor Louis Nixon, Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange at Norwich University of the Arts, said: "Ann Hulland’s exhibition Marking Time(s) is a very enjoyable and intelligent show.

"The wide range of different works, made using projections, sculpture, paintings, and photographs, explore and respond to global issues and challenges such as the pandemic, food security, technology and the passing of time.

“I was really impressed with the artist's site specific work and the way in which the Cathedral obituary roles had been used to create a very human link to the space and the city.

"It’s wonderful to see the Cathedral showcasing such impressive contemporary art and making a significant contribution to the cultural landscape of this great city.”

Artist Juliet Goodden said: "Ann Hulland has created a spellbinding exhibition in the Hostry at Norwich Cathedral.

"Each of the sensitively conceived elements of ‘Marking Time(s)’ stands alone, while also forming an important and integral part of the whole. Using diverse materials Ann has succeeded in drawing together the 900-year history of the Cathedral, with Covid, with the present day grain supply problems, and with visitors' birthdays to create a multi-layered piece about people and time.

"Ann's beautiful installation is accessible to everyone. The longer you dwell in the space the more you’ll appreciate the riches of her sensibility and achievement."

Marking Time(s) is on display in Norwich Cathedral’s Hostry until 24 September 2022.

The exhibition – which is supported by Norfolk County Council - is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm (3pm on Sundays). Entry is free.