Arrivals and Departures – Somerset House

Arrivals and Departures is a large scale interactive instillation situated in the courtyard at Somerset House. The instillation explores birth, death and the journey in between. Created by artist duo YARA + DAVINA.

“Taking the recognisable form of a station or airport arrivals and departures board, the artwork invites visitors to share the names of people who have arrived and departed as a way to celebrate a birth or commemorate a death. As the effects of COVID-19, racial injustice and the environmental crisis continue to disrupt communities across the world, this artwork offers a timely platform to engage with birth, life, death, loss and collective grief, through the act of naming. ” – Somerset House.

“The interactive installation also honours the heritage of Somerset House itself, which was formerly home to the General Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths, holding the first comprehensive record of life events for the whole of the population for many generations!. – Somerset House.

I initially wanted to explore this instillation because I admired their creativity for producing exhibits whilst restrictions from Covid-19 are put into place. I think it was a great idea to bring the exhibition into the courtyard to encourage an audience to  view the piece without forming concerns. This has shown me that there are new creative ways to display work even working through a pandemic.

YARA + DAVINA have truly captured and been sensitive towards the feelings of the nation. While they continue to create work through a hard time for many they do so by accrediting the zeitgeist of 2020. I understand that any work I produce this year will have to be sensitive to ignore the issues that Covid has bought. In my research I will explore how magazines and  the fashion industry have had to adapt to stay relatable to their audience.