'submergence' immersive light and sound artwork by squidsoup
Beyond Submergence, Squid Soup. Photo by Paul Blakemore, taken at Propyard, Bristol
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    The Levinsky Gallery, Roland Levinsky Building

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Submergence places us in the midst of a series of abstracted scenes, landscapes, energy fields. Dynamic, three dimensional, penetrable paintings in light and sound, the work draws us in, surrounds us and immerses us in a roiling ocean of illumination, of media, of presence. The visions are ephemeral, transparent, weightless, liminal, akin to lucid dreams. We can see through them, walk through them.
Submergence is in some senses multiple works rolled into one. It consists of five distinct movements; each its own atmosphere, ambience, ecosystem of dynamic but balanced forces. They are usually played in an ascending sequence of intensity, culminating in an ecstatic crescendo.
On another level, the work presents itself as a physical cube of virtual presence and energy placed in our physical world; something other and beguiling, there but not there. Submergence transforms the space it inhabits becoming a beacon, a focal point, altering the space it occupies yet not over writing it. It illuminates hidden corners, shifts, alters perspective and feel – it is in constant dialogue with its location. It is also in dialogue with those who visit the space or the work, providing a social focus, abridge to a shared experience that sparks conversation, contemplation, reflection, discussion.

Opening event

Date: Friday 27 June
Time: 17:30–21:30
Venue: The Levinsky Gallery, Roland Levinsky Building
Ticket information: Free admission, no booking required

Exhibition opening times

Date: Saturday 28 June – Saturday 9 August 2025
Time: Tuesday–Friday 10:00–16:00, Saturday 12:00–16:00. Closed Sundays, Mondays and bank holidays
Venue: The Levinsky Gallery, Roland Levinsky Building
Ticket information: Free admission, no booking required
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Squidsoup

Pioneers in the use of light, sound and technology, Squidsoup’s artworks combine physical and dynamic digital spaces with novel and intuitive forms of interaction to produce responsive and beguiling environments.
Their work has been seen by millions of people across the globe since 1997 in galleries, museums and live events, festivals and exhibitions. Recent exhibitions and events include: Vivid Sydney (AUS, 2023), London’s Alexandra Palace (2019, 2023), International Centre for Light Art (DE, 2022–23) Burning Man Festival (USA, 2018, 2019), Canary Wharf (UK, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023), Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, (CA, USA, 2021–22), Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (USA, 2017, 2019), Noor Riyadh (KSA, 2021), Ars Pedregal (MEX, 2019), Salisbury and Gloucester Cathedrals (2015, 2018, 2020), and a permanent exhibition in Houston (USA).
Their key work Submergence has been exhibited over 100 times on six continents.
Squidsoup actively seek new avenues and audiences for their work, beyond conventional art spaces: they work in live events, winter light festivals, commercial, healthcare and other types of spaces. Their approach is usually the same: their work is a response to, and part of a real time process of dialogue and engagement with, the spaces and audiences around it.
Andy Cluer and Mary Costello talking in the Levinsky Gallery

Contact the arts and culture programme team

Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA

The Levinsky Gallery, Tuesday–Friday 10:00–16:00, Saturday 12:00–16:00. Closed Mondays, Sundays and bank holidays

Event photography and video

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