Commissioned by Abbott Hall/Lakeland Arts Kendal and in collaboration with Ian Read Head of Learning and Dr Harriet Rowley of MMU, I delivered a curated conversation event for their staff, partners, community leaders on the theme –Who Cares? We are all priceless. Held in one of the galleries our discussion posed questions about how we value our closet communities and neighbours and if an organisation can at a significant time of change embrace opportunities to listen, open itself to diverse voices and try new things?
I’m pleased to say my ACE funded project at Bromley House Library thas been written about in the Financial Times as part of an article about private libraries being important sites of refuge.
My efforts are part of the South Explorer this weekend in Rotterdam at B.a.d. Foundation. Working with Stijn Wibouw from Belgium, Tom Lowe and The Mak of all Trades from the UK and Alex Phillips from the US we created a collaborative piece – The Freezer. Here’s a link to a short film the local TV made.
I made a balloon piece in response to the window displays I’ve been noticing here in Rotterdam. Most people showcase something in their street facing windows – changing them with the season or celebrations. When I asked why several answers came: to appear conventional, to show personal taste, to demonstrate an interest – or just for the passerbys.
I’m an international guest at Foundation BAD in Southern Rotterdam – an artist run extravaganza of a place. Based in an old school, originally squatted, it provides both studios and homes for 30ish people who share and co-organise. I am here for a month building on the recently completed ACE project and the Venice work before that – namely improvised landscapes and approaches that are reactions/acclimatisation to some kind of stress.
Rotterdam is the result of a unique history and ambition. Its stress I am assuming is environmental. But unlike Venice it doesn’t feel fragile or tramped or a ruin afloat. It doesn’t feel like Jaywick battling poverty and the sea or the Houseboats of Heachem cobbled together. Instead I see ‘the world’ or better still ‘an improvised world’ – the result of a colonial past. Sveltana Alpers in her great book The Art of Describing said something about Dutch artworks that makes sense here: dont read these paintings as metaphors rather see them for the description of whats already here.
Yesterday saw me finish the Bromley House Library residency with a sharing and discussion event. It was a lovely morning of conversation, exploring and reflecting on ideas and connecting to others. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work at BHL and have loved the time and glad of the friendships made. Below is part of the talk I presented before I asked the question to catalyse a conversation: Do you want to be truly seen…. ?
Bromley is a place that cares for and supports legacies, collections of Books and maps and docs and photos and pamplets etc. Items created by people which in effect allows ‘them’ ‘people’ to be kept. I was struck by this very early on as we are surrounded by attempts at being remembered. As I maker I identify with this.
I wondered whether BHL was, and this sounds grand, fending off existential concerns – fending off being forgotten. But when I thought more I realised it’s not about being ‘remembered’ rather ‘ noticed’ – seen – cared for. This chimed with people I spoke to about how this this place met their desires and needs. It matched my sense of it too. And I found it too in the ambition or actions of the staff . So I thought hard about being forgotten. Why given all the knowledge, words, possibilities available to me here had this become the thing I was attracted too?
I read some science and began to know that being forgotten is as detrimental to self-esteem as being ostracised or rejected. And there is was… it was about being marginalised… a theme central to my practice. My attraction to BHL wasn’t rational it was emotional. BHL is holding a space for people – which in therapeutic terms means ‘a safe place where people are seen and healing can happen’. It was a refuge / a solace. But here was the problem which if im honest I’ve grappled with for the whole residency. How do you represent in a meaningful way notions of being forgotten or being seen? And it’s only very recently have I worked out what the right thing to do was and why.
Thank you so much to Haarlem’s Geoff and Livvy for hosting such a great night and thank you too for those who attended. It was a lovely way to spend an evening talking and thinking about art while eating lovely food with good company.
Event info: Friday March 8th at Haarlem Artspace: Pie, Pea and Cake Dinner with talk by Kate Genever and curator David Gilbert. Part of a 10 year survey show. Come join us for a veggie Pie & Pea dinner and there is a free drink included! Arrive at 7 to see the show upstairs where David Gilbert and Kate have curated a show from Kate’s archive. The event is raising money for Haarlem Artspace’s ground floor wall build.
Sunday 17th March, 4.30pm – 6.00pm: ‘The presence of books’ – an event at Five Leaves Bookshop. An afternoon of conversation and discovery that encourages guests to consider the historic role of books, libraries and their staff in offering refuge and safe spaces. Join us at Five Leaves to experience a small piece of Bromley House Library in association with Bromley House Library artist in residence, Kate Genever. Afternoon Tea will be served. Free event – 20 places only. Please book via Five Leaves Bookshop: events@fiveleaves.co.uk
Saturday 23rd March, 10.30am -12.30pm: I loved you, you just didn’t see it. A discursive event to reflect on Kate’s residency at Bromley House Library. Kate will discuss and showcase the work she has made as part of this 2-month project that centres around the theme ‘Hidden Refuge’. There will also be an opportunity to walk around the library and find out about the work that Kate, and users of the library, have produced during her residency. Coffee and Cake will be served. Free event – 12 places only. Please book via Bromley House Library: enquiries@bromleyhouse.org
Using phrases collected from visitors and library members I have been making new pieces for hiding in books across the entire library collection. It’s been really nice to read personal responses from people about the importance BHL and then place hide them for future readers to make sense of.
