Make/ Craftivism/ 12 December 2009 to 14 February 2010
Bristol
General Information
The project attempts to collapse the distinction between ‘making’ and ‘doing’ – the former associated with craft, the latter with human action. It places an emphasis on interaction and participation in the wider social realm, and employs aspects of self-organisation and ‘open-source’ principles. The artists involved engage with craft-based traditions through diverse practices including art, technology and fashion. Selected works exemplify ‘innovation’ in the general sense that newly invented forms might diverge from established rules and perceived norms.
Craftivism is developed in relation to a range of contexts and includes nine artist-led participatory projects developed with local communities, the outcomes of which are shown as part of a gallery-based interactive exhibition, online and in free software-related projects, workshops, talks and the uncurated satellite event unCraftivism. Events also take place locally at Brandon Hill Park, Colston Hall, Full Circle St. Paul’s Youth and Family Centre, Knowle West Media Centre and The Mall Bristol.
The project will invite public interaction and provide opportunities to take part, make work and learn craftbased skills to customise products. It encourages wider communities to embrace the ‘freedom’ to create, modify and distribute products, and in so doing demonstrates the possibilities for people to modify their own lives.
Craftivism is part of the Artist/Activist season, a series of Arnolfini projects in Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 which provides a socially-active forum for debate and learning around issues of climate change and alternatives to the culture of consumerism.
Invited artists/collectives: Kayle Brandon + Heath Bunting, Rhiannon Chaloner + Manuel Vason, glorious ninth, GOTO10, Rui Guerra, Household, Christine + Irene Hohenbüchler, JODI, Mandy McIntosh, Gloria Ojulari Sule, Trevor Pitt + Kate Pemberton, Janek Simon, Stephanie Syjuco, Clare Thornton and projects produced with workshop participants and local residents
unCraftivism with various participants, including at the time of publication: Barcamp Bristol; Bristol Knowledge Unconference; Bristol Robotic Lab; Bristol Wireless; Dorkbot Bristol; JODI; The Order of the Black Tulip; Matt Jackson; Rui Guerra; Zukanican. unCraftivism is an open event taking place at Arnolfini on 12 and 13 December where you can present your own work. Your contribution is not judged, or restricted by a theme or format. You organise and promote your own event, whether a performance, a talk, a meal, a song or an undefinable event. See www.craftivism.net for further details, and to add your event to the programme. unCraftivism is initiated by Rui Guerra (PT/ NL), an artist-programmer working in the area of software development and the organisation of DIY events. unCraftivism is selforganised and uncurated. The process is coordinated through a wiki, a collaborative writing tool to enable anyone with access to contribute or modify content. The outcomes are user-generated and thoroughly unpredictable.
Craftivism
Sat 12 Dec 2009 – Sun 14 Feb 2010
Arnolfini
16 Narrow Quay,
Bristol BS1 4QA
www.arnolfini.org.uk
T 0117 917 2300/01
Time Information
Exhibition spaces open 10am – 6pm, Tues – Sun & Bank Hols. Admission Free.
Exhibition preview Friday 11 December 6 – 8pm.
Venue Information
Events also take place locally at Brandon Hill Park, Colston Hall, Full Circle St. Paul’s Youth and Family Centre, Knowle West Media Centre and The Mall Bristol.
Contact Information
Rob Webster, Marketing Manager
T: +44 (0)117 917 2315
E: rob.webster@arnolfini.org.uk
Download documents
Craftivism Press Release
Download (717KB Pdf File)
