Parallel of Art & Life: A Conference on the Independent Group
Thursday 25–Friday 26 April 2013
‘Who’s afraid of the public?’
Saturday 4 May 2013
Public Engagement and Impact: Articulating Value in Art and Design
Thursday 23 May 2013
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH
T +44 20 7930 3647
Parallel of Art & Life: A Conference on the Independent Group
Thursday 25–Friday 26 April 2013
It has been 60 years since the ground-breaking exhibition Parallel of Life & Art took place at the ICA. This two-day event will investigate the exhibition work of the Independent Group at the very institution that first fostered and encouraged its practice. Moreover, the conference will also consider ways in which the Independent Group has been, and continues to be, exhibited. How can the Independent Group’s trans-disciplinary practice best be understood and exhibited? The event follows on from last year’s event, BUNK: Celebrating 60 Years of the Independent Group, which contributed to a broader understanding of British art and architecture.
Speakers include Kevin Lotery (Harvard University), Claudia Marfella (Kingston University), Ann Pillar (University of Reading), Elly Thomas (Slade School of Art), Jessica Kelly (Middlesex University), Hannah Durham (Architectural Association), Giulia Smith (UCL), Hilary Robinson (Middlesex University), Matt Williams (ICA), Ben Highmore (Sussex University), Michelle Cotton (Firstsite, Colchester), Ben Cranfield (Birkbeck College), Alex Coles (University of Huddersfield), Nayia Yiakoumake (Whitechapel Art Gallery), Martin Hammer (Kent University), Clare Lilley (Yorkshire Sculpture Park), Victoria Walsh (RCA) and Claire Zimmerman (Michigan University), Anne Massey (Middlesex University), Jon Bird (Middlesex University) and many more.
In collaboration with Middlesex University and curated by Anne Massey.
‘Who’s afraid of the public?’
Saturday 4 May 2013
Despite all the yearning for new publics and the attempts to include ever wider and more diverse audiences, one has to suspect that these are mere gestures of inclusion driven by the desire to produce visitor numbers rather than constituting a public. This symposium explores the social and political challenges surrounding public participation in relation to social media and examines the strategies and experiments that engage audiences within different rhythms and reflections in the public arena.
Speakers include Dr Simon Sheikh (Goldsmiths, University of London), Prof Marie Luise Angerer (Art Academy of Media, Cologne), Sergio Edelsztein (Center for Contemporary Art in Tel Aviv), Aria Spinelli (Curator, Milan), John Canciani (International Short Film Festival, Winterthur), Liza Fior (muf London) and Elke Krasny (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna/University of Reading).
This symposium is delivered in collaboration with Reading University (in association with University of the Arts Zurich).
Public Engagement and Impact: Articulating Value in Art and Design
Thursday 23 May 2013
Recent Arts Council policy goals have underlined the importance of greater public engagement and collaboration in the arts, with a view to attracting and inspiring new audiences. It was observed in a recent AHRC/ESRC report, however, that there is a need to ‘more clearly articulate the value’ of public engagement with culture in line with government decision making agendas. In light of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, these complexities are now being addressed with renewed vigour for UK art and design HE institutions. This symposium explores the social, cultural and political challenges around measuring and communicating public engagement in relation to evidencing value and impact, and the implications of this for those working in higher education and museum/gallery sectors.
Speakers include Bob and Roberta Smith (artist), Dr Sarah Shalgosky (Mead Gallery, University of Warwick), Stephanie James (University of Bournemouth), Peter Murray (Yorkshire Sculpture Park), Dr Helen Pheby (Yorkshire Sculpture Park), Paul Manners (National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, Bristol), Dr Rosa Scoble (Brunel University), Ailbhe McNabola (Design Council), Jocelyn Bailey (Associate Parliamentary Design & Innovation Group), Professor Steve Swindells and Dr Anna Powell (The University of Huddersfield).
This symposium is delivered in collaboration with the University of Huddersfield.
Press information: Naomi Crowther | Press Officer | ICA | [email protected] | 020 7766 1407
