LONDON, UK.- Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell explore the complex web of relationships linking people, place and architecture, whilst also questioning the structures and systems with which we attempt to make sense of the world. Their work ranges from highly crafted models of architectural floor-plans presented as sculpture, through to the full scale architecture of their new bridge for Paddington Basin, London, to the creation of innovative virtual environments. Underlying their work is an almost anthropological interest in the many ways we may discover ourselves in our surroundings.

For this, their largest UK exhibition for almost ten years, Langlands & Bell present a series of new installations specifically designed for MK G’s Cube, Middle and Long Gallery spaces. This includes photographs from a recent residency in Afghanistan, an animated interactive film and a new wall painting. MK G have also commissioned an offsite project by the artists in Station Square, Milton Keynes, which is located outside the city’s busy central rail station.

Plunged in a Stream, 2005, first seen at the National Archaeological Site of the former Coundenberg Palace in Brussels in April 2005 will receive its UK première at MK G. Transposing the labyrinthine remains of the Coundenberg Palace into a virtual environment, this work is remarkable for its acute attention to detail and its technical competence. As viewers propel themselves virtually through the organic, unfolding environment, influenced by the flow of the buried river Senne near which the Palace is sited, the work throws into sharp relief the linear, grid-like design of its host city, Milton Keynes. Deriving from Langlands & Bell’s ongoing research into interactive virtual environments, Plunged in a Stream results from the artists’ recent collaboration with the BT research laboratories at Martlesham in Suffolk.

Domain has been conceived specifically for MK G’s Long Gallery. This monumental, monochrome wall painting, measuring 16m x 8m reveals a gridded network with each square containing the country code endings as used on the world wide web; .uk .fr. .de .mk etc. Some familiar, some not so, the work typically reflects the artists ability to distill from the world around us a specific point of reference that alludes to vast networks of people, place and ultimately power. This is a new series that emerges from the artists’ inherent interest in the mapping of physical and virtual space as seen in their use of the acronyms which identify international destinations and NGOs.

Their research into the multitude of NGOs in Afghanistan during their commission for the Imperial War Museum to research the Aftermath of September 11th and the War in Afghanistan has informed a body of new photographic and installation-based work which can be seen in the Cube Gallery. Here the artists present a new work Untitled (Domain) which is projected floor to ceiling (8m x 8m in scale), immersing the viewer in a vortex of data.

To accompany their exhibition in Milton Keynes, Langlands & Bell were invited by MK G to conceive an offsite project, to contribute to the gallery’s ongoing initiative of bringing international artist projects into the city spaces. Thanks to the generous assistance of BT, Milton Keynes Council and thecentre:mk, the artists are able to realise an installation of eight specially made flags for Station Square. The project fittingly refers to Langlands & Bells’ recent appropriation of travel routes and flight paths within their work, with the flags marking the physical gateway to the city and metaphorically connecting Milton Keynes with a wider global network.

MK G’s exhibition is supported by a range of related events, including an opportunity to hear the artists “In Conversation” with Judith Nesbitt, Head of Exhibitions and Displays, Tate Britain, on the evening of Weds 22 June. (Tickets £5 (concs £3) to include a glass of wine. Pre-booking essential on 01908 676 900.)

The exhibition 'Domain' will be accompanied by an illustrated publication with an essay by Michael Stanley, Director of Milton Keynes Gallery.