Archive Leeds

http://archiveleeds.wordpress.com

Archive: Leeds is a project set up by Sarah Barrett and Alicia Talikowska, looking at the possibilities of spaces for creative events.

As artists interested in working in the public realm, we felt the need for a comprehensive resource looking at the possibilities of spaces, public and private, for creative events and exhibitions.

This archive of information relates to art spaces and venues in Leeds. There are no restrictions on what is seen as a “venue,” all spaces are considered from art galleries to underpasses. Over time the archive could be gradually expanded to include information on useful local resources, contacts and art groups in the area. The aim is to make useful information freely available in order to encourage creative activity in the city, keeping in touch with a DIY approach that is synonymous with Leeds cultural scene.

Currently at theartmarket, but will soon be passed on as the both of us have moved away.

Contributers:

East Street Arts
theartmarket
The Black Dogs
Josie Flynn
James Hill, courtesy of the Arts and Regeneration department at Leeds Town Hall
Leeds Art Fair

Metro Chair 100% Newspaper

2006 in Breda, Netherlands
Sustainabilty and design ethics
St Joost Art Academy

Metro Chair (foldable with handle)
2006, Newspaper and bookbinder glue

Above: Tejo Remy’s ‘Rag Chair’ (1991) and ‘Chest of Drawers’ (1991)

Inspired by the ethics of Droog Design; finding uses for existing objects rather than condemning them to landfill. They also champion the ‘junkshop’ aesthetic, which renders much sustainable design unfashionable, and turns these objects into highbrow art objects.

Leeds’ radical autonomous social centre

The Common Place is a radical autonomous social centre in Leeds which aims to “create a place in the city centre in which together people can enjoy a sense of community, affordable entertainment and food; a non-commercial place to relax, talk, be creative, meet people and find information on political campaigns, issues and actions.” (www.thecommonplace.org.uk)

By focusing on the aesthetics of the home and working with familiar domestic objects and patterns we transformed the dilapidated back yard of the Common Place into a useful social space that explored connotations of comfort and safety. Leeds is expanding as a centre for business and commerce but providing comparatively little in the way of support for socially disadvantaged groups and minorities.

Home Sweet Home (2006) with Donna Walker

Home Sweet Home was a collaboration between myself, Donna Walker and The Common Place Social Centre (most notably Tamsin, and Tanya Bish), which took place from March to May of 2006.

In keeping with the centre’s ethos of “creating a space which re-builds some of the things lost in our lives,” we felt the need to rethink and reclaim this neglected space in Leeds city centre.

Images taken from The Bunker Gallery’s book, “Limitless Possibilities.” (http://www.interlude22.co.uk/thebunkerleeds/bunker/theonlinebook.html)

— Design of outdoor furniture and a BBQ
— Creation of an organic garden
— We organised a private view with a Jazz band, DJ and food, and an afternoon party the next day for the general public.
— We raised approximately £500 for the Common Place.

Preview and BBQ

Private view: Friday 19 May 2006
BBQ/Party: Saturday 20 May 2006

Processes

Before…

Razzmatazz

Like the format of the flyer for reproducability/cheapness/ease of distribution. I did a bit of work making (photo-etched) prints of found flyers of alternative nights in Leeds. I feel a bit sad looking at the Bar Phono ones now that the legendary club has now closed. I must give Sarah Orange (now owner of Subculture in Leeds) credit for the design of the awesome Razzmatazz flyers. I wish I could credit the designers of all the flyers I printed but sadly they remain anonymous. On the amazing day that print facilities are available in Leeds I would like to print a copy of each flyer for each designer involved.

NB: I don’t make art works of flyers from rubbish nights! My new fave is Suck my Left One (at the Common Place) oh, and Idioteque (the Subculture) who’s flyers are designed by my favourite Illustrators: the Nous Vous collective. These are the next ones to be canonized.

Post Punk: Some things to think about

DIY
Social good
Social engagement
artist-led
low-brow
anti-capitalist
Community
Folk
working class
cheap/budget

Punk Culture: Do It Yourself

If you ignore the oxymoron, I was involved in founding the Leeds University Punk Society in 2003. Leeds has a history of subcultural activity, most notably the emergence of the goth scene, and founding a Punk society for all the socially disaffected kids (or middle class uni students) seemed very appealing. I liked the idealism of Punk, its roots in working class culture and the focus on community.

This was my first opportunity to be involved in something DIY and community-based from scratch. The focus was on music and creating a community with shared interests, rather than stimulating political and social debate but the ideals of punk have transferred to my practice and interests, especially the message to Do-It-Yourself.

Flyers (2003)

Man’s World, Woman’s touch (2003)
Studio work: 1st Year Leeds Uni Fine Art
Trying to define a style with a distinctly female/DIY aesthetic. Liked the low-brow aesthetic of stencil art