Enclosure: Jenkin van Zyl in conversation with Adam Alston
Somerset House Studios artist Jenkin van Zyl and author Adam Alston explore the ideas, themes and processes that shape van Zyl’s new film and installation Enclosure.
| Dates | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Times | 7-8.30pm |
| Space | River Rooms, New Wing |
| Price | Free |
Artists in Residence
Drawing on van Zyl's practice and the conceptual frameworks that underpin Enclosure, the conversation will offer deeper insight into the exhibition and the questions it raises. Their discussion will consider how technology can advance faster than meaning; maintenance can be a form of denial; and systems often outlive their usefulness. The event will conclude with an audience Q&A.
Enclosure runs until 29 Nov 2026 at Somerset House Studios.
Enclosure is Commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella, Somerset House Studios and HOME, Manchester. Developed in residence at Somerset House Studios. FVU and HOME are supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
After premiering at Somerset House Studios, Enclosure will open at HOME, Manchester from 27 February to 9 May 2027.
Biography
Adam Alston
Adam Alston is Reader in Modern and Contemporary Theatre at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK. He is the co-editor of Decadent Plays, 1890-1930 (Bloomsbury, 2024), co-editor of a special issue of Volupté: Interdisciplinary Journal of Decadence Studies on ‘Decadence and Performance’ (Winter 2021), and he runs the AHRC-funded Staging Decadence project. He has also published extensively on immersive theatre.
About
Film and Video Umbrella
Film and Video Umbrella commissions, produces and curates artists’ moving-image works, and presents them in collaboration with galleries and cultural partners throughout the UK and internationally. We enable artists to make challenging and ambitious projects, promoting innovation through our support of new and significant voices working across the visual arts. FVU has supported more than 200 different artists’ projects, from multi-screen installations to online commissions.
fvu.co.uk | @filmvidumbrella
HOME
HOME is Manchester’s centre for international contemporary culture. Since opening in May 2015 it has welcomed over 7 million visitors to its 3 galleries, 5 cinemas, 2 theatres. Our mission is to create and share high-quality art that improves the life chances of the people of Manchester. The gallery programme is characterised by cross artform collaboration and transgressive practices with a strong history of commissioning and curating new work by international, UK and NW based artists, over the last 10 years and at Cornerhouse retrospectively. After a period of social, political and continued economic upheaval, the programme strives to be self-reflective, institutionally aware, exploring under-represented and alternative narratives through solo, group exhibition and inviting artists to curate, increasing vantage points and embracing alternative approaches to curation.
homemcr.org |Instagram @HOMEmcr|Twitter @HOME_mcr | Facebook HOMEmcr|Tik Tok homemcr