A Totem for Something that Symbolises Something Else
For #Five2Watch this week our guest selector is Thomas Dukes, Curator at Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool.
"I've made my selection based around the ideas that are buzzing around in my head at the moment; the boundaries between real and fake, tasteful and repulsive, appropriation and creation." (Thomas Dukes)
PIPPA EASON X STACEY DAVIDSON, 2017
"A new collaboration by someone who has made a number of mentally tactile objects and spaces."
In Service 1918 - 2017
"A making in service of memory."
To mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, artist James Bloomfield has been resident at Salford Museum & Art Gallery and the Working Class Movement Library. Delving into this fabulous rich archive, Bloomfield has created a truly special piece of work that engages with the audience directly and asks us to look at our history and the global legacy of the war to end all wars. The outcome of this research is the creation of 226 commemorative ceramic plates. The plates reference each conflict and the number of fatalities for that conflict. Instead of being in display cases or on the gallery walls, the plates will be placed into service in the Gallery Cafe, presenting the findings of Bloomfield’s research directly to visitors.
AIR Kyoto, 2015
"An enjoyment of nature and the world."
Artist in residence with EWAA , Spring 2017. Exhibition with Japanese artists at the beautiful Be-Kyoto Gallery. Image showing: 'Single flower' vases Slipware.
#Knitterfeed, 2012-13
"A project of performance and imagination."
#Knitterfeed was a collaborative project between myself, artist Jennifer Steele, games programmer Tom Kinniburgh and the Cross Acres Craft Group, based at Age Concern Cross Acres, Wythenshawe, South Manchester and was part of the Hand Made programme commissioned by Future Everything 2012. The project involved a two way skills exchange between the Craft group and the artists, where by new knitting and sowing skills were passed on from the group to myself and Jenny, whilst we supported the group to learn new online skills and digital communication. The project resulted in a series of public requested knitted items, ordered via twitter, which were then physically created and delivered back to those who made the original order.
X?Y: How to put up a shelf (V), 2017
"An activity of placing and replacing."
The fifth iteration of ‘How to put up a shelf’ comprises a co-investigative performance into the politics of curating and fabrication. Using the symbol ? as a representation of unequal shelving, a female curator and male artist work in tandem to construct two shelves. This performative intervention aims to create a more level playing field whilst framing and challenging prejudices regarding positions of power in industry.
About Open Eye Gallery
Founded in 1977 Open Eye Gallery is an independent not-for-profit photography gallery based in Liverpool. Open Eye Gallery works with people to explore photography’s unique ability to connect, to tell stories, to inquire, to reflect on humanity’s past and present, and to celebrate its diversity and creativity.
Published 14 July 2017