"Nearness is not only proximity in space, but also alludes to the closeness of a relationship. When we are near an other, we may share a likeness, maybe even a sense of kinship, a physical bond. In Smith's work, to be near is to share a sense of belonging to a common matter that makes our world. Within that world everything is constituted in relation to boundless other beings, forms of life and non-life, that together create a complex and constantly evolving network of socialities that extend far beyond human intention or involvement. Like rocks are transformed by water and wind, plants and fungi adjust their physical form throughout their lives in reaction to their environment, growing their way into new relations with other beings."
– Nella Aarne

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Nearness (2019)
Three-screen video installation
16:10 minutes

FEATURING:
Emily Blanshard
Dan Buckley
Mark Case
Roger Cooper
John Hayward
Trevor Knott
Christine Lorimer
Kim Portnell
Alan Power
Stephanie Prideaux-Aspinall
Sue Protheroe
George Robert
Jeanette Rogers
Pauline Rose
Emily Utgren
Toby Yorke

CINEMATOGRAPHY, EDITING and SOUND DESIGN: Sam Smith
EDITING ASSISTANCE and SUPPORT: Nella Aarne
DRUMMER: Micha Maass

Special thanks to Darren Beatson, Lucy Cooper, Camilla Forest, Peta Henley, Ela Hotico, Kirsty Large, Stephen Ponder, Hannah Severn, Julie Smith, Robin Smith, Charlotte Toop, Roger Watson and the entire team at Stourhead.

Nearness was created with investment from The National Trust, who commissioned this artwork, as part of Trust New Art.