The last couple of weeks have been diverse! Amongst the things that have happened:
Matt Roberts
I had the great honour of curating the Salon Photo prize which was very generous of Matt to allow me such responsibility ( and daunting!) I am learning new skills which I just love! Matt and he is a very good boss!
Read more here/ see the cataologue here:
I also managed the online catalogue ( new skills part II- hello Indesign) the PV which was incredibly busy, 1000 odd people in one night ( I felt a bit seasick as wave upon wave of people came in ) as part of First Thursdays in East London. The lovely Rachel Wilberforce ( who was selected and has a wonderful photo in the show ) , Michaela Nettell, Katriona Beales and Andrew Bryant came by as well which was great to have friends there amongst the throng!
Core Gallery News
Speaking of Andrew, he shall be curating his second show at Core which opens next week which has already been creating great debate.
Skin Job:
James Prevett, Niklas Taffra, Chad Burt, Daniel Lichtman, Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh, Adrianna Palazzolo and Miguel Pacheco
Curated by Andrew Bryant
Preview Friday 25th February: 6.30-8.30pm. Part of the South London Art Map Last Fridays.
Saturday 26th February, 3.30-5pm: Artists and Curators in Dialogue
Skin Job, which is slang for replicant in Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic sci fi film Blade Runner, considers whether technology is something external to us, something we can chose to pick up and use, or is it already in us, a part of us, in our tongues, our brains, under our skin?
Skin Job, curated by Andrew Bryant, brings together seven artists to explore the ways in which technology, whether it be a high tech recording device, a lowly mallet and chisel, or that most insidious of technologies, language itself, seems to both liberate and ensnare us.
I heard on R4 the other day a discussion about this very thing: People’s nervousness of robots and the like, in this context within a religious framework: basically, if a machine has no soul, then it cannot have original sin, in which case it does not need salvation , therefore a machine is like God, without sin and therefore can usurp god….interesting… do come along!
Then of course DIY Educate launches that same week. I am nervous and excited about it- feedback has been great, we have a really strong programme I feel and we now have about 20 chair sponsors which is incredible so seats for people- bonus! DIY educate feeds into my role at AIR, a desire to improve artist’s situation, to make up for the lack of professional practice compulsory components within art course, so essential, yet often neglected.
Xhibit Selection for the UAL. Being a judge for the open submission for the all UAL students, very interesting day of considering artworks for a show in March
My Work: Had an installation at Battersea Power Station for the last 3 days, incredible space. The Lost Lovers Ball was a festival created by the Secret Garden Party team ( all of whom are incredibly ambitious in their vision) . My installation, an interactive map of lost love, developed from a previous installation at Shunt a couple of years ago. One could call it socially engaged as the people make it what it is- from a barren map to a forest of stories and narratives. It was incredibly popular with hundreds of people adding to the forest, taking photos, pouring over other lost loves. I was there on hand as Lady Valentine and it was a majestic experience!
Tonight, appropriately I guess for Valentines, I shall be reading all the stories to compile….
