The artist as cultural agent: DIY (people, places and spaces)
A unique seminar in a unique place!
Bosigran is set in the West Penwith Moor, an area layered with ecological, archaeological and anthropological richness, straddling the coast path under the shadow of Carn Galva. Bosigran is the National Trust’s West Penwith ‘jewel in the crown’ (map ref. OS 370 426).
A 3-day event, camping on site, BBQs, film screenings, talks, spare time for exploring cliffs and coves (bring your kit!).
The seminar will ask questions relating to how artists approach creating contexts for making work, both in terms of places and spaces, but also developing relationships across a range of dialogues and partnerships.
- What methodologies do artists use to examine and present the complexities of cultural knowledge and knowing….?
- In what way does the artist take on role of cultural agent/leader? How can artists mediate the tensions between being open to others and their methodologies whilst remaining committed to visual processes?
- What are the implications for artist-led culture, particularly with respect to the rural?
This seminar is designed to challenge established ways of thinking about what DIY means within the context of artist-led culture and to explore what DIY means in relation to the artist/curators critical role in the generation of what has been termed 'non traditional knowledge'.
We are considering the critical worth of artist-led culture in terms of the organisation of projects, the making of work and the resultant discourses, which often incorporate experimental methodologies, cross disciplinary exchanges and together result in the formation of non traditional knowledge as that which we have to trade with the system.
- Do the radical associations of artist led activity prevent artist led projects working with institutions and funders without a sense of loss of part of their identity, or a lessening of their power?
- How can the critical work of the artist/Curator continue from within the system?
- Should we move beyond the dichotomy of instrumentalised art/radical art in order to negotiate new ways forward?
- How can artists mediate the tension between being open to others and a commitment to their methodologies/ideologies?
seminar Structure
The seminar will use a specific initiative BOS 08 (The Bosigran Project – Bosigran Arts) as an event facilitator and host. Building active and creative relationships with other organisations and structures has been central to the development of The Bosigran Project. This will form the practical and discursive nucleus at the heart of the seminar.
The programme will consist of a mix of speaker presentations, peer-to-peer discursive sessions and site visits. It is intended that the composition of the seminar will reflect the curatorial stance outlined above, incorporating experimental methodologies and cross disciplinary exchanges.
Based at The Bosigran Project, Bosigran Farm, Zennor courtesy of National Trust, the seminar will take place over 3 days from 25th – 28th September.
Camping: Treveal Farm (Zennor),
Presentations: Zennor Village Hall
Site Visit & activities: Bosigran Farm |
