The third in our series of fast chats on hot topics, this session focused on space and how it relates to contemporary art practice.
Whether it be the traditional studio, the artist lab, the ‘white cube’, or alternative spaces like Cockatoo Island or the Kandos Cement Works, ArtChat presented insight into how artists think about space as subject, container and conduit for communication.
Marni Jackson, Cultural Projects Manager, City of Sydney
Artists living and working in the heart of the city is key to a thriving cultural ecosystem. As a global city Sydney is an expensive place to live and the City of Sydney recognises the challenges that artists face in finding affordable inner city housing. The Creative City Cultural Policy and Action Plan 2014 - 2024 commits the City to a range of strategic initiatives to advocate for affordable housing for artists and creative workers, as well as leading by example in making its own property portfolio serve this community need. Last year the City’s first Creative Live/Work Space program made six one-bedroom apartments in Darlinghurst available at subsidised rent for artists.
Christine McMillan, Co-Director, Cementa: Biennial Contemporary Art Festival
Cementa is based in the post industrial town of Kandos in the Central West of NSW. Cementa has established a biennial contemporary arts festival and annual program. We aim to develop local participation, understanding and appreciation of contemporary arts culture and its potentials; to connect city and country, and build regional networks. Many projects engage with issues of relevance to regional communities. Our residency program facilitates the development of festival works and our effort to create relationships and connect networks between artists working in regional and urban contexts was focused through our forums, workshops and exhibitions.
Jain Moralee, Executive Director, Underbelly Arts Festival
Jain’s presentation narrates why she loves working at Underbelly Arts, being from Adelaide, creative restraints, freedom, audiences and a little bit of criminal activity that changed not only the art world, but her world too.
Vic McEwan, artist and Artistic Director, the CAD Factory
The Cad Factory is an artist led organisation creating an international program of new, immersive and experimental work guided by authentic exchange, ethical principles, people and place. We present most of our work onsite, in communities and in partnership with the various sectors that go together to form our communities.
From health and education to business and agriculture, we explore the ethics involved in making work on site and the delicate considerations and negotiations involved once you engage your arts practice within the complicated layers of the lived experience of people and place.
