Rosanne Robertson will be talking about the Manchester Artists Bonfire (as well as sneaking in something about a new project) at the Manchester Salon Weekend 19-20th May as part of the North West Visual Arts Open 2012. This is two days of artist led discussion, curator insights, technology and popcorn with the ‘Artist-Led Platform #1’ being held at Castlefield Gallery 19 May 6-8pm.
This document is a collection of links, articles and resources which have formed much of the research that has gone into the Manchester Artists’ Bonfire. This forms part of an extended research project which will result in a publication post bonfire event.
It is encouraged that those interested use this document as a resource.
By Rosanne Robertson (Manchester based artist and director of Manchester Artists’ Bonfire)
In January 2011 the first Manchester Artist’s bonfire happened. It was spurred on by, but not entirely dependent on anger, confusion and panic at cuts in governmental funding which were being inflicted on the cultural sector. This element of the event was emphasized in the official literature, and in some ways it felt like an extension of protests which had been taking place as a reaction to a rise in tuition fees. The question of funding for non-compulsory education is, of course, another issue whereby much of the argument relies on qualitative judgements and abstract concepts, such as ‘education’ and ‘culture’ versus the arguably more ‘real’ issue of cost versus yield. However, whilst the historical and political context of the event is important, there are fundamental art historical questions to do with iconoclasm which the Artist’s Bonfire raises, as well as evoking forms of sacred art whereby the destruction of a piece is as important as its creation. It is this which I seek to address; how the event functions as a collaborative performance, and what the destruction of a work of art means in terms of it’s status as art, and especially what this means when it is destroyed by the artist themself…
This is a new short essay written by Manchester based curator and writer Lauren Velvick as part of the extended Manchester Artists’ Bonfire Research Project- which will form part of a new publication post bonfire.
Burning Art is no new thing; in fact it is arguably as old as ‘Art’ itself. It can be in protest against corruption and abuse of power or an attempt to wipe the slate clean to path the way for a new order, but does it do any good? Destroying the fruits of artistic labour pales in comparison to the effect of self- immolation but we can’t have that sort of thing, can we?…
This is a new short essay written by Manchester based artist, curator and designer Richard Shields as part of the extended Manchester Artists’ Bonfire Research Project- which will form part of a new publication post bonfire.
