This is a call by Aldobranti, an artist whose work centres on a conceptual photography often approached through performance.
He looks for other contributors to his book project, ‘Critical Moss, making Art Work outside the Metropolitan Bubble’:
The title of this project * is a play on words, artists may be like stones, rolling to places beyond their original intention, far from the critical buzz afforded by art school crits, first nights, gallery visits and rapid transit systems. The research will seek to identify methodologies for artists in isolated settings to ‘kickstart’ their practice — absent a critical mass of fellow artists.
It seems obvious that Art exists in a setting of dialogue. In its viewing, its reception the dialogue exists between the viewer and the artwork and in most cases is beyond the control of its creator. In its inception however, there is a wider conversation between the Artist , the artwork and the context in which the Artist finds herself. This wider conversation may be a rehearsal for a later reception dialogue, to make the artwork fit for purpose, working on the question ‘what is the artist trying to say‘ through the artwork as mouthpiece
This question may not have an easy answer during a great part of the preparation. A figurative work can perhaps be judged in the extent to which it evokes the subject matter. An abstract artwork may be self justified by its adherence to a formal working method but overall a significant factor in addressing the above question is a discussion formed as words and not mark making. No longer representing things, rather making work about ideas must surely necessitate realising some [small] part of the idea as words.
Thus I am arguing that the context, mentioned above is found as words, interior or exterior to the artist. Art is not made in a Silence. Outside of a metropolitan ‘bubble’ access to a critical context may not be freely available and the purpose of my research is to understand fellow artists’ response to this shortfall both in their words and in executed artwork. In particular I should like to reach out to and include practitioners for whom a material art object may not be the objective.
To thank you for your assistance I shall make a casebound, hardback book of your contributions. The book will feature 20 (approx. ) artists with images and facing text. Each selected participant will receive a free copy and further copies will be made available at cost. The book will have an ISBN, deposited at the British Library and the Legal Deposit Libraries.
Initially, complete the form below, including an image and an account (200 words) to reflect your work and working method with a URL for other relevant work. You must confirm that you own copyright in the image and text. With your permission, it could be helpful if I or a fellow researcher might conduct a short telephone interview if we intend to print your contribution.
Please also say how you found this call.
On progress the selected image must be available in hi-res (2500 x 2500 pixels) — the artist will at all times retain control of copyright both of image and text. The text of the book will be published in English, if not your first language the editor may be able to help with language issues.
https://zfrmz.com/SXDSIQZzQ72vKF6s4D9F
Any Questions or Problems with this form please email on the address below
Deadline 30/09/2019
Keywords : art, book, isolation, participation, publication
Email : aldobranti@gmail.com .
* English Proverb “A rolling stone gathers no moss” — decisive action must be taken to avoid stagnation
CV
An regularly updated list of events and exhibitions can be found at https://aldobranti.org/#!info/bio.php
