The Consequences workshops across Peterborough begin in earnest this week. Yesterday one at PARCA enabled a wide ranging conversation that surfaced new questions to take forward to other sessions. Can we leave the past in the past? What does bravery look like? and Whats it like to live in a culture different from our own? were just 3 examples. However it was the multiple languages spoken in the room that became significant on reflection. These included mother tongues, dialects and translation but also drawing, signing, writing and typing. Many of these unspoken languages, and I would argue drawing in particular, allows us to cross a chasm and connect. The act of collective mark making, sharing a sheet and drawing in conversation does as the women said – let’s you be inspired and see other things, each other. In these moments we aren’t misunderstood we all see ourselves mirrored in each other.
Ricki Dywer & Katy Hawkins San Francisco. USA and UK It’ll all be ok! 2020.
Doublethink is the ability to hold two completely contradictory beliefs at the same time and to believe they are both true. A belief in your freedom, whilst knowing the semblance of that which you possess is constrained in ways beyond those you know of A belief in hope, when you know it to be a false belief, a wish thrown to the gods, whilst you sail on blind An idea that “it will all be ok”, when you know that it has not and will not be ok for many, for a long time now. The Notice Board believes showing this Poem and Flag is important. The two works engage with notions of Doublethink: the act of simultaneously accepting two mutually contradictory beliefs as correct, often in distinct social contexts. Doublethink was a word invented by G. Orwell, for his book 1984. ‘Doublethink’ used here challenges us to see and check the privilege under of some of our noses – be that in relation to race, capitalism, geo-political links, gender and so on. It asks us to reflect on how we carry on regardless accepting age old or seemingly invisible behaviours. Reminding us how we all can be guilty sometimes of lies/doublespeak and the denial this enables. Katy and Ricki argue we must be a constantly questioned; with art being the only route for emotional freedom from our corruption, leading to abstract thought, openings, and connections. The Notice Board coalesces around the ideas inherent in this too. It stands firmly behind the idea that A lie you accept becomes a lie you forget, suggesting that we must be on our guard to see when truth is being marginalised. It knows that many before these 2 artists have also suggested that once we stop looking for truth and once we agree, if only within our own hearts, to live within a lie because it is more comforting than the truth then we open ourselves up to totalitarianism.
Hosted in unique spaces F.E.A.S.T. brings people together over locally sourced food to discuss sustainable farming, the environment and culture. F.E.A.S.T. aims to encourage debate by linking social, environmental, scientific and cultural thinking in an artful way. F.E.A.S.T. began last year with a successful event at Uffington Village Hall. In early 2020, Kate and Liz will be at Caythorpe and Frieston Village Hall on March 20thand 21st. F.E.A.S.T. has been created by sisters Kate and Liz Genever; an artist and scientist respectively but also farmers. The family own a traditional mixed farm in a village in South Lincolnshire. Agriculture and its related concerns are central to their work, as is encouraging people to think, reflect and do. F.E.A.S.T has two distinct elements: 1: A Free Exhibition of a professional artists work relevant to the local landscape and F.E.A.S.T themes. Open across both days between 2 and 4 pm where the artists will happily meet visitors and talk about their work. Complimentary tea and cakes will be available. 2: A Dinner which offers a social atmosphere, delicious food and an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding. Each meal is opened with provocations from both the arts and science on sustainable farming and the environment. These will start the conversations, with everyone being involved in the discussion. We welcome guests with a wide range of interests, backgrounds and specialisms. F.E.A.S.T. utilises locally sourced ingredients, including surplus food to produce a range of plant and animal-based dishes. Each dinner lasts three hours and has 25 places. The dinner runs between6 – 9 pm and costs £25. F.E.A.S.T is supported by Invest SK For more information and/or to book at place for the meal: kate@kategenever.com or liz@lizgenever.com
The Consequences of not coming together was initially discussed as we started the session at Metal on Thursday evening. In many respects the answer is obvious…. we, I believe, inherently know that connection through close conversation offers support, kindness and the promotion of understanding. These goals sit at the heart of this project, alongside the removal of any judgement. Interestingly though the word judgement was challenged, to be replaced perhaps more suitably with comparison? Comparing, it was argued, enables us to turn a negative script back onto ourselves creating self criticism. This provided a great conversation topic adding to others that arose – all of which we’ve gathered as catalysts for the next sessions… If your interested in getting involved in this city wide project aimed at women then email sarah@metalculture.com
I’m pleased to have been offered a small commission by Peterborough Presents to support their Heritage Lottery project in Millfield. My proposal I make you you make me grew out of the work I’ve done in the area while also building on my interest in considering how we all make and respond to changes. My wider proposal is informed by Raymond William’s book Culture is Ordinary and in particular a journey, he describes, where he passes through the countryside to the city, passing factories, a cathedral, a university, a teashop, a pub. He encourages us through this description to see the simple, necessary and ongoing shaping and interconnected loop between ourselves and place – places shape us and then we shape them. This leads him to argue for the end of a belief or an approach that art and making is for and by an elite.
A 3 days pilot project Always go too far, funded by NCCD Leeds, with Therapist Georgia Cooper and Dancer Phil Sanger in October has produced some interesting reflections. What seems significant is the line in Phil’s: It was not intended that the process is repeatable, but that a container is constructed… in which desire can flourish, absent of leadership. This reinforces my current desire to generate work that centres around ‘drawing together’ rather than ‘drawing of’ – which of course is another form of improvised architecture.
Poly-Technic Title: Never-Land Poly-Technic asks: What will Europe look like in 200 years? Can we imagine a place where national boundaries have evaporated, where everyone belongs, and nobody stands on the in or outside? The last 200 years has seen many wars, many struggles, many generations. Communism has risen and fallen; capitalism reaches its end stage; the impact of climate change becomes ever more urgent. At this point in time we want to think to a better time, challenge negative scripts and acknowledge the possibilities for a future that understands itself. A future not tied into the present state of things. The flag is one outcome of a European project involving many authors of different ages and experiences. In each Never-Land site we have tried to think forward, imagining together taking collage literally and metaphorically in considering a different Europe. We acknowledge the students and staff of Liceo Artistico Guggenheim School in Venice, participants of a workshop at Leicester Printworks and audiences at Yorkshire Artspace, Sheffield for their part in the process of creating a Never-Land. www.poly-technic.co.uk
PESPE Poland. Title: Land of the free Pespe says: I am a graduate of Graphic Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk and work as a graphic designer. Silkscreen is my hobby, it meets my needs for manual action. I hang works in the city because I want to familiarize people with artistic graphics. I work mainly in the Tri-City (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot) to show people that graffiti does not have to be the only form of street art. I hang work at night to leave a mark in the city where everyone is anonymous. This give meaning to my work, and is not just to put in mothballs. Besides, sometimes I like to feel the adrenaline 😉 The form and subjects of my posters are the results of my personal preferences – I do what I like. I am inspired by old-school animations, weird characters and abstract figures, but at the same time I have in my mind design artistry and the harmony of the composition. I try to combine a sensitivity with the graphic clarity of the form. I like that everyone can see something different in these works. #pespe95
I’m pleased to have been invitied to be part of this: Art + Psychogeography: Tuesday, 12 November 2019. Join us all from Fermynwoods for a free walk and talk event exploring how environments can effect emotions and how walking can be seen as way to creatively explore different places, with a focus on the rural. We’ll explore the village of Kings Cliffe in the company of artist Kate Genever and community walker Carole Wright, discussing how psychogeography inspires their practice, starting and ending up at The Cross Keys pub. 7 – 8:30pm. Starting and ending at The Cross Keys. 2 West Street. Kings Cliffe. PE8 6XA.
