Convenor: Li-E Chen
Summary
of discussion, conclusions and/or recommendations:
I initially raised this question at the
State of The Arts conference 2012 in Manchester few weeks ago. I posted this
issue again at the DandD7 as the question hadn’t been properly discussed and I
hoped that there were people at DandD7 who could suggest what and how “Trust”
could be created and developed between independent artists and arts
organisations.
Organisations can support independence
within the arts and the production of radical and challenging work. I feel many
organisations work too ‘safely’ and often support the same artists. Is this
because it is easier for them to work and follow the same pattern of
programming and producing?
Artists need full creative freedom, without
the limits of expectation and space.
Unfortunately many organisation seem to be
results driven and focused on production. This is detrimental to artists work
where focus is on the process. There is a notion that if a work is not finished
or incomplete it has failed. This is because organisations still caught up in
the commodification of art and deem it necessary to show an end product in
order to justify money spent or place value on the artist and their work.
Risk
taking between artists and organisations:
I think ‘great art’ comes with work that is
‘incomplete’ leaving an openness to it. When work is complete it has already
died and become merely a product, no longer art.
The highly rigid structure of many
organisations programming and commissioning can in turn disconnect audiences.
In the discussion meeting at the State of
Arts conference 2012, , Producers and arts organisations were concerned that
artists couldn’t deliver or complete their works. I think they should not
under-estimate independent artists’ abilities, even though they may not speak
out. I hope the trust can be repaired through conversations. Producers must be
prepared to take the same risks as artists in order to achieve greatness within
the arts. I wonder which art organisations and producers are willing to take
the same risks as the artists do?
Conclusion
“Dream
of Trust”
I wonder if organisations can establish their
own independent spaces where any artists/individuals regardless of their
practice or project, are free to work together. This would be a space for
building trust, love, and a better society to live in. Artists could thus be
more independent and use these spaces for experimentation, development and have
time to understand the work they are producing.
“Achieving great arts for everyone” is not
only the responsibility of the arts organisations, it is the artists also who
need to take responsibility. Artists
can’t produce ground braking work without the support of time and space; not
just time and space, but a supportive environment where cross-generational
artists are encouraged to take risks.
Young Vic is an example of an organisation
I think successfully addresses this via their young directors programme - this
allows individual and independent directors/artists (any ages and backgrounds)
to develop exceptional new works. The support that the programme is delivering
is focused on directors’ on-going professional development, as well as giving
on-going opportunities.
Improbable’s D and D is a great example of
an open platform that is given opportunities for artists, arts professionals,
and audience to engage in an open dialogue in an on-going process. It alleviates isolation and allows for
genuine and progressive collaboration and dialogue.
I think this is something ]performance s p
a c e [ also attempts to do through the
provision of space and events it curates - an independent space where artists
can develop any kind of works without limit to any artistic practice. However,
I wish there are more spaces like this, rather than only a space created by
artists.
My dreams of Sadlers Wells, Tate Modern,
Royal Opera House, National Theatre, South Bank Centre, and all the arts
organisations.... I wish they will have their own independent spaces which are
run as an Open Space and open for everyone like Improbable’s D and D monthly. I
attended Improbable’s D and D for most of every month since 2009, because this
is the only space where is open to everyone. I wish there are more spaces like
this within all the arts organizations where any individuals can be part of it.
It is really important to recognize the value of this that can change the
society and create a better place for people to live in and give opportunities
to create greater arts in the future.
I can understand it is really hard for
organizations to understand the value of it, therefore, I have created one and
want to demonstrate that it is essential to have a public space within each art
form where new forms could emerge in this open environment.
Action
to take:
Send report out
Tell people about it and create dialogues
with arts organization
I dream about this dream imagining that I
am one of the art and cultural leaders who want to create great arts for
everyone and dream for a better society to live in every day life.
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