AN INTRODUCTION TO OFF_CENTRE
AN INTRODUCTION TO OFF_CENTRE
AN INTRODUCTION TO OFF_CENTRE
DRAFT #1
Performativity
OFF_CENTRE is a new artistic research journal presenting and sharing a process of thinking through ~ devised by Katy Morrison as a way to ferment research for PINK. OFF_CENTRE emerged out of an interest in what alternative curatorial practices and collaborative research methods might come forward during this current crisis; as we ask:
If the exhibition takes a central position in the curatorial complex,
then what might we find if we go slightly off-centre?
It is the unfolding of an active, living idea that aims to develop an interdisciplinary dialogue on a chosen subject to understand how multiple perspectives on a local, national and international scale might be productively combined to explore the potential for future discussions and collaborations.
DRAFT #1 is based on the theme of Performativity.
Performativity is a concept that can be thought of as a language which functions as a form of social action and has the effect of change.
Using performativty as a lens, we are interested in opening up new ways of
knowing, communicating and understanding artistic research in its many forms. We want to explore an expansive approach to collaboration, that might help us to find new ways of thinking, acting, relating, and writing as we try and come to terms with the notion of performativity - as the thematic framework of PINK’s first year of activity.
Find out more about Performativity as the theme of PINK's first season of activity here.
A DEEPER INTRODUCTION TO OFF_CENTRE
FEATURING CONTRIBUTIONS BY
A curiosity to consider:
A journal as a meeting point, a space to think and as an instrument for research and discussion.
We hoped to trigger this by asking our contributors:
What is your relationship and/or understanding of performativity as a practice, method or concept?
IT BEGAN WITH
To make this idea a reality, we collaborated with Designer bruï studio who worked to transform over 20 contributions into a printed publication and a PDF version.
How can research be done and shared amongst multiple people; and gradually developed to reveal new ways of thinking and knowing, together?
How might it contribute to our understanding of artistic research and its practice?
What sorts of critical engagement with the spaces of artistic research and production might this kind of work generate?
What lessons can be learnt about the possibilities that such works generate for creatives?
FILTERED THROUGH KEY QUESTIONS LIKE
How do we record processes of thinking and engaging with ideas?
What resource material can we generate to engage people in our ideas more?
How do we create useful links between creatives?
How can we expand the curatorial to include more opportunities for connection and collaboration?
How can we accommodate multiple people and practices so as to not close off potential dialogue and collaboration?
PRODUCING DRAFT #1
FROM PDF TO PUBLICATION
We printed OFF_CENTRE Draft #1 as a limited edition run of 50 printed copies.
MORE FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS
OFF_CENTRE Draft #1 brought together 20 creatives to contribute to the theme of performativity. The invitation they received was an enticement to think through the same theme, generating a relational approach that offered new opportunities for collective thinking that could serve artists effectively during these challenging times.
Some of the contributions were formed out of wider projects that had been used to explore the moment and conditions that we had found ourselves in, this included 'IMPENDING ZOOM' a 47min video work by Jas Lucas and Nisa Khan, commissioned by QUAD Gallery, Derby for their Virtual Residencies programme.
We also welcomed a contribution by Matthew De Kersaint Giraudeau who produced a visual essay titled, The Performativity of Clapping. This evolved from a 3min video about the performative qualities of clapping during the 2020 UK Coronavirus lockdown, and was made as part of ‘Lan Gwuhj Geimz’, the 2020 artist commission for Open School East.