Art As The Last Free Space? Fine Art Seminar

Date: Wednesday, 28th March 2007

Time: Commences at 10:00a.m

Venue: The Chapel, IADT, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

There will be a seminar day held in The Chapel in IADT on the 28th March focused on the idea of 'Art as the Last Free Space?' The day will comprise four sessions, each taking a different approach to the concept of art as the last free space. Two to three guest speakers will take part in each session, talking about their own work and also taking part in group discussions and answering questions from the audience.

10.00am: Registration and Introduction

10.15am-11.15am: 'Virtual Art as the Last Free Space'

In this discussion the role of the internet as a tool for self-promotion will be addressed. Does art cease to be a commodity when it is displayed in a virtual space? Is the freedom of the virtual world about lacking a curator or an institution? What does it represent for the future of visual art? Speakers on this topic are, Dr. Paul O'Brien, Kevin Atherton and Alan Butler.

11.15am: Tea and Coffee

11.30am-12.30am: 'Concept of the Studio as the Last Free Space?'

An investigation into the concept of the studio in relation to the notion of 'free space'. What constitutes a studio within the competing terms of contemporary art practice? What do we mean by 'free space', and is it possible to carve out any creative space, be it virtual, physical, psychic, without the influences of the social and cultural constructs through which we are all formed. Speakers on this topic include Tim Stott, Ann Kelly and Mark Garry.

12.30am-2.00pm: Lunch

2.00pm-3.00pm: 'Performance as an interpretation of the Last Free Space'

An open discussion with Nigel Rolfe, Sascha Perfect and Fergus Byrne to consider the issues regarding the notion of 'free space' as being an arena that exists outside of institutions. The speakers will discuss if 'performance art' can be considered as a space free from the restraints and rules normally enforced when operating as part of a system.

3.00pm-3.15pm: Coffee and Biscuits

3.15pm-4.15pm: 'Art and the Audience; An Inherent Connection'

How can art be the last free space if an artist must consider how their work will be received by, and ultimately represented to the audience. Is the creative space truly liberated if the role of the audience is so influential, and if the artists work will eventually be mediated to that audience by a third party? We would like to discuss the importance and effect of the audience throughout the conception and production of an artwork, to question whether or not the expansion of an artist's creativity is somehow impeded by their awareness of the viewer and to examine the different methods of engagement with the audience. Speakers are Brian Hand and Lee Welch.

Final Q&A

Complimentary wine and beer available afterwards