Live Art Development Agency 1999–2014 15th Anniversary Review
Projects Opportunities Resources Publishing
“The Live Art Development Agency is invaluable to performance artists because it is creating a historical platform for the medium, and the possibility to see the past, present and future of performance art all at once.” Marina Abramovic, artist and LADA Patron
Welcome to the Live Art Development Agency’s 15th Anniversary Report. The Live Art Development Agency (LADA) is the world’s leading organisation for Live Art, supporting those who make, watch, research, study, teach, produce, present, write about and archive Live Art. We work to create the conditions in which diversity, innovation and risk in contemporary culture can thrive. LADA’s 15th Anniversary in 2014 presents an opportunity to reflect on the shifts in Live Art practices and discourses that have taken place since 1999. For LADA, the term Live Art is not a description of an artform or discipline, but a cultural strategy to include experimental processes and experiential practices that were, for many years, excluded from more established curatorial, cultural and critical frameworks. Live Art is now widely held to be one of the most vital and instrumental creative spaces in the UK: a research engine, driven by artists who are working across forms, contexts and spaces to create new artistic models, new languages for the representation of ideas and identities, and new strategies for intervening in public life. This report highlights a selection of the many projects, publications, resources and opportunities LADA has produced since 1999 – with much more information to be found on our new website.
Lois Keidan and CJ Mitchell Directors LADA houses a unique research library; runs Unbound, the world’s only online shop for Live Art books, DVDs and editions; pioneers models of artistic and professional development, dialogue and debate; contributes to groundbreaking research culture and education; develops inventive ways of increasing access to Live Art through projects and publishing; and coordinates the national Live Art UK network.
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LADA works with the most challenging artists, practices and ideas of our times, including emerging artists, culturally diverse artists, and artists working with difficult ideas and approaches.
LADA works strategically, in partnership and in consultation with artists and organisations to develop new artistic frameworks, to legitimize difficult and unclassifiable artforms, and to give agency to underrepresented artists.
Franko B. I Miss You! at Live Culture, Tate Modern. Image: Manuel Vason
LADA has helped shape many of the seismic shifts that have taken place across the landscape of Live Art in recent years – from an unprecedented institutional embrace to a resurgence of artist-led initiatives, from a proliferation of publications to a heightened online presence, from an explosion of practicebased research to the formation of new strategies of creative resistance.
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Projects Curatorial projects, programming partnerships, and dialogues/debates to develop new contexts, discourses and audiences for Live Art. Selected highlights
Live Culture at Tate Modern (2003) An unprecedented programme of performances, screenings, lectures, installations and debates. With some of the world’s leading performance makers and thinkers, including Marina Abramović, Ron Athey, Franko B, Ansuman Biswas, Forced Entertainment, RoseLee Goldberg, Amelia Jones, Oleg Kulik, Andre Lepecki, Alastair MacLennan, Hayley Newman, Peggy Phelan, La Pocha Nostra, William Pope.L and La Ribot. “...[enabling] Tate Modern to consider its role not only as a site for preservation and interpretation, but as an active generator of performance work.” Sir Nicholas Serota, Tate
Restock, Rethink, Reflect (2006, ongoing) A series of groundbreaking initiatives mapping and marking the impact of artists engaged with questions of identity politics and cultural diversity. RRR1 on Live Art and Race (2006-08). Including the unique box set publication Documenting Live, with Rajni Shah, David A Bailey, Ansuman Biswas, Sonia Boyce, Robin Deacon, Yara El-Sherbini, Harminder Singh Judge, Keith Khan, David Medalla, Harold Offeh, and many more. “...this epic documentation project provides the reader/viewer an incredible insight into one of the most vibrant Live Art scenes in the world.” Guillermo Gómez-Peña, artist, writer and LADA Patron RRR2 on Live Art and Disability (2009-12). Including the critically acclaimed Access All Areas programme of events and publication with Noemi Lakmaier, Martin O’Brien, The Disabled Avant-Garde, Back to Back Theatre, Bobby Baker, Pete Edwards, Mat Fraser, Tony Heaton, Brian Lobel, Rita Marcalo, Kim Noble, Maria Oshodi, Sheree Rose, Jenny Sealey and many more. “...a seminal publication, not only for the Disability Arts world which it exposes beautifully but for the wider arts community as it demonstrates how to make art books accessible.” A-N Interface RRR3 on Live Art and Feminism (2013-15). Collaborations with European and UK partners on programming, publishing and archival projects, including City of Women Festival, Slovenia and re.act.feminism, Germany.
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La Pocha Nostra. Ex-Centris, at Live Culture. Image: Manuel Vason Harminder Singh Judge. Halo (Prototype), RRR1. Image: Charlie Levine NoĂŤmi Lakmaier. Undress/Redress, RRR2. Image: Manuel Vason La Ribot. Panoramix, at Live Culture. Image: Manuel Vason
Luiz Abreu. O Samba do Crioulo Doido, at Performing Rights. Image: Gil Groffi This Is Not A Dream, Crossovers DVD. Design: David Caines Disabled Avant-Garde. Wayward Mascots, at M21. Image: Richard Foot
Selected Project highlights, continued
Performing Rights (2006, ongoing) An ongoing collaboration with Professor Lois Weaver of Queen Mary, University of London, profiling the creative strategies artists are using to effect social, cultural and political change. Performing Rights events have taken place in London, Glasgow, Vienna and Rio De Janeiro, and The Library of Performing Rights is housed in LADA’s Study Room. “I find myself returning to dusty and little used words to describe the experience; words such as ‘authentic’, ‘vulnerable’, ‘genuine’ and ‘real’.” Axis Web, on Performing Rights Glasgow
Performance Matters (2009-14) A creative research project in partnership with Goldsmiths, University of London, and the University of Roehampton investigating the cultural value of performance. Performing Idea explored the shifting relations between performance practice and discourse; Trashing Performance considered marginal and degraded performance practices; and Potentials of Performance looked to the future of performance. Crossovers is a major DVD series of artists’ films, documentaries and dialogues developed through Performance Matters research with Gavin Butt, Ben Walters, Mel Brimfield, Oreet Ashery, Hélène Cixous, Adrian Heathfield, Alphonso Lingis, Brian Massumi and Hugo Glendinning. “A model of how practice-based research and an arts organisation can have a real impact on the larger culture.” Professor Irit Rogoff, Goldsmiths, University of London
Other Projects Including “Louder Than Bombs”: Art, Action & Activism (with Stanley Picker Gallery), M21: From the Medieval to the 21st Century (with Disability Arts in Shropshire), The Floating Cinema commissions (with UP Projects), Variety Acts (with De La Warr Pavillion), You Are Here (with Liverpool Biennial) and Marked (with Arnolfini).
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Opportunities Artistic development programmes for artists, support for Higher Education, and advocacy for the Live Art sector.
Selected highlights
One to One Bursary Scheme (1999-2006) 52 artists received Bursaries to undertake self-determined artistic and professional development strategies that stimulated new processes, supported different ways of working and enhanced their artistic practice. “[It] forced you to reconsider key notions of research, open-ness and practice... This led me to making and experimenting in a way that I would not have undertaken otherwise, and that has led to a much more considered, and powerful practice.” Shezad Dawood, Bursary recipient
East End Collaborations/Fresh (1999, ongoing) Annual collaborations with Queen Mary, University of London, introducing audiences to the artists of tomorrow, and supporting young artists in the development of their professional practice through performance platforms, mentoring and opportunities to explore ideas and issues with experienced artists. “...a site of nurture and debate from which I, like Live Art, emerge re-energised.” Real Time Magazine
DIY (2001, ongoing) Supporting artists to conceive and run outlandish and unusual workshops for other artists. Produced annually since 2001 with organisations across the UK, DIY is a pioneering initiative, reflecting the ways in which the development of great art is as much about the exploration of ideas and experiences as training in skills and techniques. 2013 was the largest DIY year to date, with 21 organisational partners supporting 23 DIY projects across the country for 268 artists. “A wonderful recipe for the unexpected and unusual, and the joy of convivial knowledge.” Manick Govinda, Artsadmin
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Zierle & Carter. At The Edge of the Land, DIY project. Image: the artists Nigel & Louise. Being Elvis, DIY project. Image: the artists Helena Hunter. The Other Room, EEC. Image: Christa Holka
Anne Bean. Mass, Legacy. Image: the artist George Chakravarthi. Olympia, Thinker in Residence. Image: the artist The Girls. Diamonds & Toads, Unpacked. Image: Anthony Hopwood
Selected Opportunities highlights, continued
Legacy: Thinker In Residence Awards (2008-13) A landmark collaboration with Tate Research, celebrating artists whose work has tested the possibilities of live practices and its legacies. Legacy recipients Anne Bean and Tim Etchells both viewed archiving as a creative process, a re-imagining of documents and words, with Anne creating the collaborative film project TAPS: Improvisations with Paul Burwell, and Tim producing the artist book While You Are With Us Here Tonight. “This is not the biography of an artist, but... how inspiration can pour (like the gift of tongues) from one into many.” David Toop on TAPS, The Wire “...its pages attempt to stitch together an energetic corpus that is otherwise known as Etchells’ artistic practice.” Becci Curtis, on While You Are With Us Here Tonight, INTERFACE
Unpacked (ongoing) Extending LADA’s work through curated packages of screenings, lectures, workshops and/or performances, produced in partnership with international collaborators. Unpacked events have been presented in Taiwan, China, India, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Brazil, Germany and Switzerland amongst many other places. “LADA has spent 15 years engaged with developing a means to understand, discuss and consistently revitalize our conceptions of artistic practice. Its work is fundamental to the development of art and artists and remains influential to sustaining a societally, aesthetically, intellectually and ethically valuable arena of contemporary practice.” Jason E Bowman, University of Gothenburg
Other opportunities Including Talking Shop, (Re)Fresh, Live Art Advisory Network, Joining The Dots, Thinkers in Residence, Young People’s Resource Pack on Live Art, talks, laboratories and workshops.
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Resources Specialised research facilities, information and advice, online films and documents, and programming packages; and the distribution of films, publications and materials. Selected highlights
Study Room A free research facility housing the largest publicly accessible collection of Live Art documentation and publications in the world, and a space for gatherings and residencies. “One of the most valuable resources in the country for me as a writer, performance maker, and teacher in Higher Education. It’s my first port of call when beginning any research project.” Theron Schmidt, King’s College London, writer, artist
Unbound The world’s only online shop dedicated to Live Art, selling books by major publishers, LADA publications, hard-to-find artists’ books, editions, DVDs, and on-demand titles. “Access to the most exciting and provocative ideas and images in contemporary culture. A website that offers beautiful objects filled with inspirational items. I wish I owned them all!” Unbound customer
Online LADA’s website provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the organisation’s work, a wealth of useful information and materials, an expanding range of online films, collections and documents, and a fully integrated 6,000+ item Study Room catalogue. “I am bamboozled and really excited about everything there is to offer on the website! This is the first time I have found something online that I feel supports my ideas and creativity in the direction I want to go in.” Ellie Cummings, artist
Other Resources Including the Documentation Bank, Joshua Sofaer’s online Life Lecture, and the expertise of LADA’s staff.
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Life Lecture, online project. Illustration: Goh Ideta Amy Sharrocks. London Falling, Study Room Guide. Image: AK Purkiss Study Room. Image: Alex Eisenberg
Publishing Books, DVDs and Editions, in partnership with major publishers, independent organisations and artists. LADA specialises in critical titles on influential ideas and practitioners; artist-led publications and editions; Box Set artworks, resources and critical tools; online publications; and on-demand DVDs.
Intellect Live
Programme Notes
A new series on influential artists working at the edges of performance, in partnership with Intellect Books, including Throwing the Body Into The Fight, a portrait of Raimund Hoghe (2013) and Pleading in the Blood: The Art and Performances of Ron Athey (2013).
Essays, case studies and interviews reflecting the exciting and complex relationships between ‘mainstream’ stages and ‘experimental’ theatre practices. 2nd edition co-published with Oberon Books. With Lyn Gardner, Tim Etchells, Neil Bartlett, John E McGrath, Simon Casson, Louise Jeffreys, Judith Knight, Marina Abramović, Alex Poots, Amanda Coogan, Vicky Featherstone, David Micklem, Andy Field, Matt Fenton and others.
“The whole book appears a lesson in discipline. It seeks to dispel myth. It wants to get the record straight.” Lambda Literary Review, on Pleading in the Blood
“This small, cutely presented volume may turn out to be the most significant British Theatre book published this year.” Plays International (2007)
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Out of Now, The Lifeworks of Tehching Hsieh The first extensive critical account of the influential Taiwanese-American artist, with contributions from Peggy Phelan, Carol Becker, Marina Abramović, Santiago Sierra, and Tim Etchells. Edited by Adrian Heathfield, copublished with The MIT Press. “This impressive and beautifully written book offers the first comprehensive study of an outstanding body of work. An extraordinary performance!’” Hans Ulrich Obrist, writer and curator
Selected highlights
Live Art Almanac, Volumes 1, 2 & 3 Biennial collections of ‘found’ writings about and around Live Art, selected from open calls for submissions and produced with a network of national and international partners. “...an opportunity to hear artists and producers thinking out loud about the very nature of performance, the role of the audience and asking what is this strange, exhilarating thing called theatre and performance.” The Guardian
The Many Headed Monster by Joshua Sofaer A limited edition artwork, critical resource, and teaching tool for anyone interested in contemporary performance practices and their relationships with audiences. “...the breakthrough for ‘the boxed set’. It is boldly and beautifully conceived, conceptually daring, and light on its feet.” Professor Alan Read, King’s College London
Other publications Artists’ books include titles with Jamila Johnson-Small and Alexandrina Hemsley, Marcia Farquhar, Rajni Shah Projects, Oreet Ashery, and Aaron Williamson. DVDs On-Demand include titles by the Disabled AvantGarde, The Gluts, David Hoyle, Monica Ross (above), George Chakravarthi and Mat Fraser.
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Live Art UK LADA coordinates Live Art UK, the national network of 24 venues, festivals and facilitators who collectively represent a range of practices and are concerned with all aspects of the development of the Live Art sector across the UK. The network works to create new models and partnerships for the promotion of Live Art; explores new ways to increase the national and international visibility of Live Art; initiates strategies for a sustainable future for Live Art; publishes case studies and resources; and provides a representative voice for the UK’s Live Art Sector. Complementing Live Art UK members are 250 invited Associates, a cross section of key presenters and producers from across the UK, who are invited to the annual Live Art UK Associates Gathering, an opportunity to network and discuss key issues and ideas.
Selected highlights I see a fake moon rising (2013) a free publication on performance in the public realm, in collaboration with In Between Time. Paper Stages (2013) a free festival in a book, in collaboration with Forest Fringe. Getting It Out There (2012) a symposium and free publication, in collaboration with hÅb and Live at LICA. In Time (2010) a free collection of Live Art case studies. China Live (2006) a touring programme and bi-lingual publication on Chinese performance art. Writing From Live Art (2006-08) a professional development programme for new writers and writers new to Live Art.
Live Art UK members The Arches Arnolfini Artsadmin BAC The Basement the Bluecoat Cambridge Junction Chapter Arts Centre Chelsea Theatre Colchester Arts Centre Compass Live Art Contact Fierce Festival Forest Fringe Hatch hÅb home live art In Between Time LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre) Live Art Development Agency Live at LICA ]performance s p a c e [ SPILL Festival of Performance Wunderbar
Strategic Touring Commissions (2006) location specific participatory projects by Joshua Sofaer and Susannah Hewlett. “Live Art is the radical, vital and creative force behind some of the UK’s most exciting, innovative and important artists, and home live art, as a company of creative producers, is privileged to be part of the sector’s development.” home live art
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www.liveartuk.org
Luke Jerram. Sky Orchestra, at LIFT 30th Birthday Event. Image: the artist The Famous Lauren Barri Holstein. Splat!, SPILL Festival of Performance. Image: Manuel Vason Benjamin Verdonck. The Great Swallow, at Fierce Festival. Image: Sven Van Baarle I see a fake moon rising, publication with In Between Time. Image: Paul Blakemore
LADA information
“It’s hard to summarize how invaluable LADA has been to the Live Art field across cultures and generations, from creating a research centre and robust international networks, to nurturing collaborations across borders and helping young artists acquire funding and visibility.” Guillermo Gómez-Peña, artist and LADA Patron Live Art Development Agency The White Building Unit 7, Queen’s Yard White Post Lane London E9 5EN +44 (0)208 985 2124 info@thisisliveart.co.uk www.thisisliveart.co.uk www.thisisunbound.co.uk
Staff Katy Baird Alex Eisenberg Lois Keidan CJ Mitchell Aaron Wright Board of Directors Katherine Araniello Mark Ball Simon Casson Stephen Cleary Dominic Johnson Peter Law Gill Lloyd Gini Simpson Marquard Smith Cecilia Wee, Chair
Year to March 31, 2013 Income £343,387 of which: Arts Council England annual funding £234,487 Income raised from partnerships, other grants, donations and publication sales £108,900
The Live Art Development Agency is funded as a National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England, London. The Live Art Development Agency is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England and Wales, number 3651554.
Oleg Kulik. Aramadillo For Your Show, at Live Culture. Image: Manuel Vason
The Live Art Development Agency is a Registered Charity No.1079943.
LADA welcomes your support
“LADA makes a material difference on the field of Live Art in the UK and beyond. It is an uncompromising artists advocate and mentor, a challenging, vital and astonishing resource and champion for emerging, up and coming, mid career and established artists.” Tim Etchells, artist and LADA Patron Generous donations from individuals are as important as our Arts Council England, Trust & Foundation, Higher Education and Government partners. A donation to LADA directly supports Live Art artists, infrastructure and legacies. LADA’s Board of Directors all make annual financial contributions to the organisation, and we are generously supported by our artist Patrons.
An online crowdfunding campaign for LADA’s publication on the work of Ron Athey resulted in over £10,000 being donated from 155 donors worldwide. All donations directly support our programmes, making influential artists’ development initiatives like DIY possible, supporting new publications by extraordinary artists, and helping us buy essential books and DVDs for our Study Room.
You can make a donation via LADA’s website, or contact CJ Mitchell for more information: cj@thisisliveart.co.uk Your contribution may be eligible for Gift Aid. You can also support LADA by buying books, DVDs or 15th Anniversary Editions through Unbound, our online bookshop. Sale proceeds are put back into LADA’s publication and research projects.
Your support can make great art happen.
Rajni Shah. One to One Bursary artist. Image: the artist
“The Live Art Development Agency is the most innovative, imaginative and cuttingedge arts organization in the Western World!” Sheree Rose, artist
Patrons Marina Abramovic Sonia Boyce Tim Etchells Guillermo Gómez-Peña Raimund Hoghe Tehching Hsieh Isaac Julien La Ribot
Hugo Glendinning and Manuel Vason, Double Exposures, London, 2013 from Double Exposures (LADA & Intellect Books, 2014)