Following in the footsteps of 2013’s successful launch of NX Records that included a mixtape and debut compilation release – Crossing Lines, the South East London label presents a brand new roster of talent with their 2014 mixtape installment. Mixed by Crossing Lines artist, King of Hearts, the collective continues it’s stellar reputation for showcasing emerging talent and providing exclusive events.

“This new group of artists is really interesting and what’s great is how varied the music is’, says General manager Ruthie Woodward. “Last year’s mixtape featured many of the artists that we went onto sign for the compilation, as well as our first artist signing, These Ghosts whose album is coming out soon, so I’m excited to see what will happen with this new roster as well.”

The 2014 mixtape features an enigmatic song by five-piece Break Mirrors, the soothing sounds of Singer Songwriter Little Liar, a Faroese-inspired tale by Tweed & Hyenas, and beautiful atmospheric guitar-electronics from artist Towards Green.

This year also sees the return of the successful Pop Up record shop, 310NXRD along with a string of secret gigs along with a showcase at James Lavelle’s Meltdown at the Southbank Centre on June 20th at the Queen Elizabeth Hall front room and the Clore Ballroom with compilation artists Machines and These Ghosts.

For more information and to download the mix head to nxrecords.co.uk.

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The artists involved all share an interest in performance; we’re keen on exploring different notions of live-ness and real-time experiences. My installation for GLOSS combines different materials: at the moment I’m still working on the pieces, so things may change slightly from now. I’ll be using bright colours in combination with raw materials.

You’re keen on sculpture, performance and pop art. Name some heroes of yours; your key points of reference…

More than being interested in pop art, which I am, I’m fascinated with pop culture. Funnily enough, my biggest points of reference is the work of two anthropologists; Michael Taussig and Daniel Miller. Taussig explores how we assimilate culture and Miller the way we relate to objects. I look at music, design and fashion as much as I do art. Influences come from various places, from the work of women artists in the 60s and 70s, such as Martha Rosler, Yvonne Rainer and Carolee Schneemann, to people like Marcus Coates and Spartacus Chetwynd. David Bowie, David Byrne, and artists like Björk and Fever Ray are heroes of mine, too.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I’m an Italian-Peruvian living in London. I studied fine art at Goldsmiths since I wanted to focus solely on making art rather than writing about it. I met the other three GLOSS artists there. Jo and I had always shared ideas regarding performance and a joy for making and using textiles, so I guess she thought about me when she began curating the event.

How will you use the Grey Area space?

I see it as a space that doesn’t carry the baggage of a typical white cube gallery, even though it boasts typical white walls and a gray floor. It’s a slightly paradoxical space, perhaps a little uncomfortable with low ceilings, too. I’ve been thinking about it and the way in which I install the work will certainly look to exploit its nuances.

Name if you can your top three exhibitions of 2011.

There have been a lot of inspiring exhibitions this year, so I wouldn’t do a ranking. Because of my own interests, I loved Phyllida Barlow’s recent show at Hauser & Wirth, London – the way she used the space and completely filled it with sculptures created this strong sense of physicality and produced such a rich experience on the viewer. I’m also really happy that the Serpentine Gallery is showing Lygia Pape’s work, I just wish the show was bigger and you could see more. I must also say I thought Haroon Mirza’s installation at the Illuminations Exhibition at the Venice Biennale this year was excellent, too.

Daniella Valz Gen
Jo Harrison
Kate Mahony
Luis Ignacio Rodriguez

GLOSS takes place from 16th – 18th December at Grey Area.
Words: Jack mills

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