Organised by LOCWS International, Art Across the City 2012 is a city-wide event in Swansea that puts art into popular public spaces such as shopping centres, bus stations and museums. It presents work that responds to the culture and heritage of the city, offering opportunities to artists and broadening access to contemporary art.
Running from 29 September to 11 November, it includes five new commissions by artists working in a diverse range of practices. The programme is further complemented by two works commissioned earlier in 2012, plus five permanent LOCWS International commissions.
As media sponsor, a-n will be bringing you news updates in the run up to Art Across the City 2012. We’ll also feature reviews of the project as it happens and critical discussion about the role of public art.
LOCWS International is an artist-led charity based in Swansea. Its public art programme sees international and UK-based artists create new contemporary artworks through a broad spectrum of art practice, from sculpture and installation to performance and film.
The five new commissions for Art Across The City 2012 are:
Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan’s ‘shelters’, decorated with their own distinctive designs, in front of Swansea Museum.
The Devil meets Dylan Thomas by David Blandy, a videogame that pitches players against Swansea’s literary hero.
Fiona Curran’s An Accident Looking For Somewhere To Happen, employing two trees in the grounds of St Mary’s Church as its foundations.
David Marchant’s Cowin’ Lush, a series of panels that reference the drunken scrawls of revellers on Swansea’s infamous Wind Street.
Jock Mooney’s Swansea Kebab, featuring graphic drawings of local icons, situated in Castle Gardens.
More on art in the public realm:
Commissions – Knowledge bank section exploring the scope of commission opportunities for artists working in a variety of media and at all career stages.
Widening the audience for visual artists – Examines how arts organisations such as LOCWS International create accessibility, inclusion and engagement with artists and artworks through activities such as workshops, residencies and other projects.
Playing up – Gillian Nicol selects key texts from a-n’s archive and other important sources on the collaborative and creative processes involved in making artwork in the public realm.
