The spectrum of artistic practice represented by the term ‘public art’ encompasses a myriad of different things. However, self-organised public art practice has always offered a means of challenging the dominant order and continually finds new ways of doing things without the overarching support of an institution, public funding body or private patron.
A dual event, organised by the public art think-tank ixia, will explore different models of self-organisation within contemporary public art practice. The two seminars in London and Leeds will examine: rationales and tactics for getting started; social, economic and organisational structures; and strategies for survival and sustaining activities.
Aimed at artists, curators and representatives from arts
organisations, speakers include Jeanne van Heeswijk (artist, Rotterdam), Anthony Gross (Director, The Old Police Station and Enclave, London), Vaari Claffey (Curator, Gracelands, Dromahair), Sophie Hope (practitioner and researcher, London), and Andy Abbott (artist, Leeds).
Through its activities ixia identifies and challenges restrictive practices which result in limited and missed opportunities for artists working in the public realm. They have been an important advocate for public art and last year played a key role in challenging government proposals to have it downgraded. Ixia have pushed for ‘culture’ to be included in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), with the issue recently being debated in the House of Lords.
Click here for more information and to book a place on the London Seminar (22 August)
Click here for more information and to book a place on the Leeds Seminar (1 October).
Twitter: #PublicArt
