Soft Topologies

Encompassing adaptable sculpture, video and objects from the collection of The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS), Soft Topologies is an exhibition that considers the points of convergence between the body and the practice of charting atmospheric space.

As the 2017 MAAS Research Fellow, Kate Scardifield undertook investigations into 19th century astronomical artefacts from the collection. Objects uncovered during her research are re-imagined as tools of anatomical enquiry in the context of the exhibition, which seeks to calibrate physical and celestial bodies.

Adaptable textiles and sculptural objects that recall clothing racks and fabric bolts are used in tandem with a large-scale wall schema that mimics a patternmaker’s cutting mat. Over the course of the exhibition, six collaborators—including a sail-maker, percussionist, fashion designer, architect, choreographer, and the artist’s mother—contributed to a series of ‘working sessions’ sited in the exhibition space. Whilst not conceived or intended as performances, these sessions embraced experimental acts of co-authored making, tracing material gestures and movements via a working set of speculative instruments.

A limited edition publication accompanied the exhibition, designed by Simone Mandl, with an essay ‘The wind, apparently’ by Isobel Parker Philip (Senior Curator, Contemporary Australian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales).

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

01—Soft Topologies, 2018
Installation view, ‘the working wall and the working floor’, UTS Gallery. 21 adaptable forms and propositional objects. Sailcloth, polyester, linen, silk, bronze, brass, powder coated steel, rope, marine fittings. Site-specific wall painting. Acrylic paint, model making tape.
Photo: Jessica Maurer    

02—Soft Topologies, 2018
Installation view, ‘the working floor’, UTS Gallery.
Photo: Jessica Maurer  

03—Soft Topologies, 2018
Installation view, ‘the working wall’, UTS Gallery.
Photo: Jessica Maurer  

04—Soft Topologies, 2018 Installation detail, UTS Gallery.
Photo: Jessica Maurer  

05—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 2: Kate Scardifield & Tim Schork
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

06—Soft Topologies, 2018
Installation detail, UTS Gallery.
H10307-9. Telescope instrument, brass, maker and place unknown.
Loaned by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney
Photo: Jessica Maurer  

07—Soft Topologies, 2018 I
nstallation detail, UTS Gallery.
H10307-9. Telescope instrument, brass, maker and place unknown.
Loaned by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney
Photo: Jessica Maurer  

08—Soft Topologies, 2018
Installation detail, UTS Gallery.
Photo: Jessica Maurer  

09—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 3: Kate Scardifield & Laurence Pike
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

10—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 3: Kate Scardifield & Laurence Pike
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

11—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 3: Kate Scardifield & Laurence Pike
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

12—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 3: Kate Scardifield & Laurence Pike
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

13—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 1: Kate Scardifield & Emma Rankin
Photo: Robin Hearfield

14—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 1: Kate Scardifield & Emma Rankin
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

15—Soft Topologies, 2018
Installation view, UTS Gallery.
Photo: Jessica Maurer  

16—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 4: Kate Scardifield & Brooke Stamp
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

17—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 4: Kate Scardifield & Brooke Stamp
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

18—Soft Topologies, 2018
Working Session 4: Kate Scardifield & Brooke Stamp
Photo: Robin Hearfield  

19—Soft Topology,  2018
(Detail) Adaptable sculpture in one variation.
Accordion pleated spinnaker cloth, eyelets 
110 x 300cm (full expansion) 
Photo: Robin Hearfield   

20—Soft Topology,  2018
Adaptable sculpture in one variation.
Accordion pleated spinnaker cloth, eyelets 
110 x 300cm (full expansion) 
Photo: Robin Hearfield   

21—Soft Topology  2018
(Detail) Adaptable sculpture in one variation.
Accordion pleated spinnaker cloth, sail battens 
110 x 300cm (full expansion)
Photo: Robin Hearfield   

22—Soft Topology  2018
Adaptable sculpture in one variation.
Accordion pleated spinnaker cloth, sail battens 
110 x 300cm (full expansion)
Photo: Robin Hearfield   

23—Soft Topology  2018
(Detail) Adaptable sculpture in one variation.
Chevron pleated spinnaker cloth, eyelets, powder coated steel 
120 x 148cm (full expansion)
Photo: Robin Hearfield   

24—Soft Topology  2018
Adaptable sculpture in one variation.
Chevron pleated spinnaker cloth, eyelets, powder coated steel 
120 x 148cm (full expansion)
Photo: Robin Hearfield   

25—Soft Topology  2018
Adaptable sculpture in one variation.
Storm orange sail cloth, eyelets
150 x 75cm (full expansion, irregular)
Photo: Robin Hearfield