29 May 2016
Creative Interventions:
Re-imagining the archive
Jo Elsworth
University of Bristol Theatre Collection
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29 May 2016
The 13 Books Written on the Skin
2
29 May 2016
The archival and artistic legacy
The piece was a process-based
performance which explores how
memories are archived within our
bodies, both physically and mentally. I
chose to perform in the Theatre
Collection to investigate the ritual of
archiving, placing my body literally in the
archive in order to compare and
combine the processes of flesh-based
and paper-based archives
Working in the archive shaped my
understanding of performance as a
means to access and share personal and
social memory.
It also introduced me to the broader
debates surrounding how to document
live performance, organise information
and make the archive accessible
Quote: Eleanor Fogg (Sept 2013)
3
29 May 2016
Shine: Archive as visual stimulus
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Individual printmakers - group exhibition
Volunteer led
Inspired by a collection of C19 tinsel prints
Group of Bristol printmakers invited in to look
at and respond to the prints
Simple brief (size, frame, something shiny!)
Submit 6 months later
Small programme of activities: exhibition
preview, subject based talks and a Saturday
opening
Highest visitor numbers, new audiences,
Hanging old and new together created
something far better - longest ‘linger time’
Further potential for exhibiting locally
Next project Arcadia
4
29 May 2016
Lola Dances and Richard III displayed alongside M&M Prints
5
29 May 2016
Franko B.
Artist and researcher:
Exploring the boundaries
Cara Davis (PhD Student, Bristol) and
Franko B (Performance Artist)
6
29 May 2016
Exhibition: Reading Franko B
7
29 May 2016
Exhibition: Key Issues
• Challenging material (sexual, nudity, harm against oneself, blood)
• Law (OPA, DPA, CJIA, HTA)
• Ethics
• Reputational – university, visitor expectations
• Conflicting boundaries – researcher, artist, university
• Duty of care (Cara, collaborators, staff, visitors)
But also
• Need to respect the nature of the work of the artist
8
29 May 2016
Challenging Materials?
How do you best represent an artist’s live work?
9
29 May 2016
Process
• Good communications essential in every direction
• ‘Protect’ ourselves –legally and reputational (due
diligence, complaints policy, H&S)
• Act with integrity as regards everyone and everything
concerned (e.g. Great Eastern hotel)
• No under 18s, warning signs, alternative routes
• Remember sensibilities and wider censorship debate
• Policies and protocols developed for the future
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