aesthetica symposium
// Debate // Discuss // Connect Cover
15-16 FEBRUARY | YORK 1
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WELCOME The Future Now Symposium brings together award-winning artists who invite you to explore, discover and engage with themes from our changing world. These wide-ranging topics include: the ethics of representation, curation, AI and new technologies, diaspora and threats posed by the climate emergency. Contemporary art takes the temperature of the world around us. It unites and transforms society. It builds bridges between communities and opens minds. Art can unravel complex histories and provide alternate futures. It engages the senses, delivers home truths and brings key questions to the fore. Art is a tonic. This two-day event connects key institutions, galleries and artists to energise our minds and invite dialogue around the most pressing topics from the creative sector. Some sessions include: Curation in the 21st Century: How to Make an Exhibition?, Photography in Focus and Creativity in a Digital World: The Impact of New Technologies. Featured speakers include Hannah Lim, Heather Phillipson, Julianknxx, Marcus Lyon, Margaret Salmon and Steve Messam, as well as representatives from Baltic, Barbican, LCC, Harewood House, Tate, Turner Contemporary, the V&A and more. Future Now is a platform for idea generation and a key event in the UK arts calendar. The 2024 edition asks: what does the future of curation look like? How do I develop my career as an artist? Where is photography headed? Is AI really a threat to creativity? What does it mean to make art that is caught between multiple places, times and genres? What is the intersection of science, anthropology and photography? Alongside thought-provoking debates, panel discussions and creative engagement, we are offering portfolio reviews by experienced practitioners. We are also inviting you to the Aesthetica Art Prize Private View on Thursday, and the Artists Drinks’ Reception on Friday. All of our venues are fully accessible, and more details about accessibility – and our lanyard return scheme – are on our website. Take this opportunity to meet artists, collectors and gallerists. Cherie Federico, Director, Aesthetica 3
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY
09:00
DOORS OPEN 09:00 WELCOME ADDRESS 09:30 - 09:40 15 MINUTES WITH AESTHETICA ART PRIZE FINALISTS 09:40-10:00
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SESSION 1 10:00 - 11:00 THE BUSINESS OF ART: HOW TO BUILD YOUR BRAND
11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00
SESSION 2 11:15-12:15 CURATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY: HOW TO MAKE AN EXHIBITION? LUNCH AT 1331 (YO1 7HU) 12:15-13:15 SESSION 3 13:30-14:30 MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS: HEATHER PHILLIPSON IN CONVERSATION SESSION 4 14:45-15:45 DR SUZANNE LIVINGSTON: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS & AI SESSION 5 16:00-17:00 HANNAH LIM: ART AT THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURES
17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00
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SESSION 6 17:15-18:15 MARCUS LYON: A HUMAN ATLAS
PRIVATE VIEW 18:15-20:00 YORK ART GALLERY, YO1 7EW
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY
09:00
DOORS OPEN 09:00
10:00
15 MINUTES WITH AESTHETICA ART PRIZE FINALISTS 09:40-10:00
WELCOME ADDRESS 09:30 - 09:40
11:00
SESSION 7 10:00 - 11:00 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ARTIST TODAY?
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SESSION 8 11:15-12:15 BEYOND REALISM: THE FILMS OF MARGARET SALMON
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LUNCH AT 1331 (YO1 7HU) 12:15-13:15
14:00
SESSION 9 13:30-14:30 PHOTOGRAPHY IN FOCUS
15:00
SESSION 10 14:45-15:45 CREATIVITY IN A DIGITAL WORLD: THE IMPACT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES
16:00 17:00 18:00
SESSION 11 16:00-17:00 SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION: DISRUPTING THE EVERYDAY SESSION 12 17:15-18:15 THE POWER OF IN-BETWEEN: JULIANKNXX
19:00 20:00
DRINKS RECEPTION 18:30-20:30 MEDIEVAL GALLERY, YORKSHIRE MUSEUM
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USEFUL INFORMATION TALKS & SESSIONS • Your pass includes access to all sessions on either 15 or 16 February, or both 15 February and 16 February, depending on your ticket type. You do not need to register for any of the sessions, other than Portfolio Reviews. • All talks and sessions will take place between 15-16 February 2024.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW SESSIONS • Portfolio Review Sessions are for practitioners working across all forms and genres, including painting and drawing, photography and digital art, sculpture, design and three-dimensional art, video, installation and performance. • Here, artists have the opportunity to speak with experts who can provide essential advice and guidance on their practice and career progression goals. Booking essential via our website. Sessions last 20 minutes.
LANYARD RETURN SCHEME • We recognise that we have a responsibility to reduce our wider carbon footprint. As part of our return scheme, please hand in your lanyard at the end of the day so that we can recycle and reuse materials in future.
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ACCESSIBILITY The Future Now Symposium is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all attendees. Please find more information below. • Yorkshire Museum: In 2024, Future Now will take place on 15-16 February at Yorkshire Museum in York city centre. The museum is located on three floors, and there is a lift situated by the main staircase. The Future Now Symposium is held on the ground floor in the main auditorium, and toilets are on the lower floor. These are both fully accessible for wheelchair users. • York Theatre Royal: Portfolio Reviews will be held in York Theatre Royal on the Upper Foyer. There are wide automatic doors upon entrance to the theatre, and there is also lift access to the Upper Foyer. • York St John University: Portfolio Reviews will be held in York St John University’s (YO31 7EX) De Grey Building DG/124 on the afternoon of Thursday 15 February. DG/124 is located on the first floor of the De Grey building, accessible via lift. The building is wheelchair accessible. • 1331: Refreshments will be served in 1331, located on York’s Grape Lane (YO1 7HU). There is street level access from the front of the building. • Carers, Personal Assistants & Interpreters: Complimentary passes are available to all Carers, Personal Assistants and Sign-Language Interpreters, but these must be booked in advance. Proof of DLA or a valid CEA card is required. For further information, please contact a member of our team. For all accessibility enquiries, please contact us below: artprize@aestheticamagazine.com
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SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY WELCOME ADDRESS 09:30-09:40 Society is constantly evolving. New technologies have accelerated this rate of change, and, with that, comes a dichotomy. We can start to look at notions of progress and unpick what those ideas really mean, and for whom. In the information age, we have seen a radical shift in the way news is created, produced and consumed. We have come to understand that truth is variable and that it can be manipulated to change ways of thinking. There are those who call for a return to darker days, but through art we can spark conversations that unite rather than pull us apart. In times of uncertainty, we turn to art and culture as a mechanism to make sense of our times and to remember that humanity binds us together. In this brief welcome address, Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica, offers an overview of the sessions in this edition of the Symposium.
CHERIE FEDERICO Cherie is the Editor of Aesthetica Magazine and the Director of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF), which is BAFTA-Qualifying. She is also the founder of the Aesthetica Art Prize and the Future Now Symposium. Originally from New York, Cherie moved to the UK to study for her Master’s degree and founded Aesthetica, which she has since developed into an international brand distributed in 915 stores in the UK and exported to 20 countries. Cherie is a champion of creative talent across the arts, from film and literature to photography. 8
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Alexej Sachov, Ballerina (2023). From the series Chronicles of an Emerging Diversity. C-type print.
SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY
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15 MINUTES WITH AESTHETICA ART PRIZE FINALISTS 09:40-09:55
Caroline Jane Harris, A Stopped World (2020). 16 layered hand-cut archival pigment prints.
Join us to hear from four Aesthetica Art Prize finalists, who take to the stage to share their practice for four minutes each. They will give insights into how they made their shortlisted works, which span photography, film, installation, sculpture, digital art and more. This is an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition 2024, and to find out more about the creative minds and processes that brought these works to life. This is an inspiring quick-fire session that promises to be full of ideas, spotlighting new talents making waves in the art world today. This morning’s panel will include Alexej Sachov, Antonia Luxem, Ayrton ‘Sam’ Mendes and Caroline Jane Harris.
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SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY SESSION 1 10:00 - 11:00 THE BUSINESS OF ART: HOW TO BUILD YOUR BRAND The UK has been living in and out of austerity for over a decade. Public funding has been cut, and university arts departments are being dismantled. It’s easy to feel disheartened. The arts can feel undervalued. But, the truth is, art is everywhere – and so are opportunities. This session encourages you to take a different approach, asking: how can we, as creatives, develop a new business model and diversify our income streams? There are many ways to build a brand: collaborations, commercial partnerships, sales, marketing. Where to start? This session will demystify the process, leaving you empowered and inspired to achieve milestones like gallery representation or getting into corporate collections. This is the business of being an artist and entrepreneur.
CHERIE FEDERICO Cherie is the Editor of Aesthetica Magazine and the Director of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF), which is BAFTA-Qualifying. She is also the founder of the Aesthetica Art Prize and the Future Now Symposium. Originally from New York, Cherie moved to the UK to study for her Master’s degree and founded Aesthetica, which she has since developed into an international brand distributed in 915 stores in the UK and exported to 20 countries. Cherie is a champion of creative talent across the arts, from film and literature to photography. 12
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Steve Messam, Spiked, (2021).
SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY DARREN PIH CHIEF CURATOR AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR HAREWOOD HOUSE, LEEDS LEANNE GREEN HEAD OF EXHIBITIONS AND DISPLAYS TATE LIVERPOOL SARAH MARTIN HEAD OF EXHIBITIONS TURNER CONTEMPORARY, MARGATE EMMA DEAN CURATOR BALTIC, GATESHEAD DAMON JACKSON-WALDOCK PROGRAMME DIRECTOR THE ART HOUSE, WAKEFIELD 14
SESSION 2 11:15-12:15 CURATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY: HOW TO MAKE AN EXHIBITION? How do curators make decisions? How does an idea develop into a fully realised exhibition? How can you ensure it is a success? In a world where attention spans have been reduced to three seconds, and AI generators are making us look twice, how do you captivate audiences and ensure that public engagement is high? What opportunities are there for emerging practitioners in an age defined by footfall and what is “Instagrammable”? Who and what is being exhibited, how and why? This session discusses the role of the curator in all its many forms and intricacies in the 21st century. The panelists are from some of the UK’s most prestigious galleries, including The Art House, BALTIC, Harewood House, Turner Contemporary and Tate.
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SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY SESSION 3 13:30 - 14:30 MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS: HEATHER PHILLIPSON IN CONVERSATION
London-based Heather Phillipson is a Turner Prize nominee whose multimedia projects include video, sculpture, installation, music, poetry and digital art. She describes her works – including RUPTURE NO 1: blowtorching the bitten peach at Tate Britain, London, and her Fourth Plinth commission, THE END. – as “quantum thought experiments.” They unfold as absurd and complex systems in which wildly different images and materials collide. Her works often carry an underlying sense of threat – a suggestion that, in the artist’s words, “received ideas, images and the systems that underpin them may be on the verge of collapse.” Phillipson speaks to Sarah Perks about her wide-ranging practice, including a recent recasting of archival BBC wildlife footage as hallucination.
HEATHER PHILLIPSON Heather Phillipson (b. 1978) is is a British artist living and working in London. She is also an acclaimed poet whose writing has appeared widely online, in print and broadcast media. Her artwork has been presented at major venues internationally and she has received multiple awards for her installations, videos and written words. Heather was nominated for the Turner Prize 2022. She studied at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (now Cardiff Metropolitan University), and at Central St Martins, earning her PhD from Middlesex University. 16
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Heather Phillipson, Rupture No 1: blowtorching the bitten peach. Tate Britain, Duveen, Galleries commission, 2021 image courtesy Tate Galleries and the artist.
SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY
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SESSION 4 14:45 - 15:45 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS AND AI Artifical intelligence, machine learning and and generative systems are reaching into our lives like never before. This raises questions about the history and future of culture and creativity. Some of this plays out in the art market and the creative industries, but it also has an impact on the role of museums. What would a museum be, born first in the era of AI, without historic baggage, aged ideas of philanthropy, legacy and human-only perspective? How can AI help museums decentre narratives and expand their relevance? Dr. Suzanne Livingston co-curated AI: more than Human at the Barbican Centre, which navigated the history and evolution of AI with work from Es Devlin, TeamLab and MIT. It has been on global tour since its launch in 2019, and is currently on show at CCCB Barcelona.
DR SUZANNE LIVINGSTON Dr Suzanne Livingston is a strategy consultant, AI researcher, curator and writer. The entwined relationship between humans, culture and technology has been an area of interest throughout her career, emerging from her PhD in Philosophy (Cybernetic Systems) from the University of Warwick. Before becoming an independent strategist in 2019, she was Global Principal and Head of Strategy for consultancy firm Wolff Olins. She has worked with numerous high-profile organisations like Barbican Centre, Guggenheim, Reuters, Sony and Somerset House. 19
SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY SESSION 5 16:00 - 17:00 ART AT THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURES Hannah Lim is a London-based artist whose practice is rooted in her mixed Singaporean and British heritage. Across ornamental sculpture and wall-based works, she delves into the historical intersections of these cultures, particularly as reflected in furniture, objects and architectures. Chinese and Medieval bestiaries, 18th century Chinoiserie and the feminist theories of Anne Anlin Cheng are central to Lim’s vibrant works. Some works are reminiscent of colourful buildings in Singapore, whilst others reinterpret the claw-like feet of chinoiserie furnishings to give a playful, anthropomorphic quality. Underneath is a deep exploration of identity: pushing against fixed, post-colonial notions of race that are often a point of confusion and struggle for those from mixed cultural backgrounds.
HANNAH LIM Singaporean-British artist Hannah Lim (b. 1998), is a London-based creative bestknown for making furniture-like structures that are both ornamental and functional. Hannah’s work responds to her cultural heritage and engages with the colonial connotations of the relationship between East and West. She is the recipient of multiple awards: the Hospitalfield Residency (2021); the Home Residency by Ronan Mckenzie and Cob Gallery (2021); and RSA New Contemporaries (2022). Hannah is currently Pangolin London’s 2022-2023 Artist in Residence. 20
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Hannah Lim, Sculptural Still Life, (2018).
Marcus Lyon, Fadhumo Musa Afrah, WE: deutschland – A Human Atlas, 2018.
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SESSION 6 17:15 - 18:15 MARCUS LYON: A HUMAN ATLAS Marcus Lyon is a British artist whose socially charged works on globalisation are in the Smithsonian, Art Institute of Chicago and Arts Council collections. His ambitious project, Human Atlas, celebrates individuals of specific geographical locations – Brazil, Detroit, Germany, Silicon Valley – who are driving social impact. The most recent installment focuses on Los Angeles, and is realised in collaboration with Getty. Each person, after being nominated by their community, is documented through portraits, oral interviews and DNA mapping. The result chronicles remarkable people: public servants, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, activists, artists and scientists dedicated to real change. Here, Lyon will speak about research-based art, science, anthropology and photography.
MARCUS LYON Marcus Lyon (b. 1965) is a London-based artist and photographer known for his portraiture and landscape photography. He studied Political Science at University of Leeds, Leadership at Harvard Business School and Performance Measurement at Kennedy School of Government. Lyon’s early working life – with Amnesty International in Latin America – inspired his 25-year exploration of the issues at the heart of globalisation. In 2014, he founded the Human Atlas initiative – a project that blends science and art through pictures, sound and DNA. 23
SESSIONS & EVENTS | THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY 18:15 - 20:00 AESTHETICA ART PRIZE EXHIBITION: PRIVATE VIEW AND AWARDS, YORK ART GALLERY (YO1 7EW)
JeeYoung Lee, Loveseek, (2014). From the series Stage of Mind (2007 - ongoing). Pigment print.
Visitors have the chance to see the 2024 Aesthetica Art Prize ahead of the crowds at this private view. You can join delegates, curators and guests from the art world, alongside the Aesthetica team, for a special evening of networking. After a day of captivating talks and panel discussions, enjoy the Awards Ceremony – all from the heart of York Art Gallery. The exhibition features 21 shortlisted artists who invite you to explore, discover and engage with themes from our changing world, including: the ethics of representation, legacy and inheritance, AI and new technologies, diaspora and the ongoing threats posed by the climate emergency. There is limited availability, so please pre-register.
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Kriss Munsya, Dysfunctional Intentions (2022). From the series Genetic Bomb. C-type print.
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY
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WELCOME ADDRESS 09:30-09:40 Future Now is a meeting point for ideas, debate and discussion. In celebration of this year’s Aesthetica Art Prize finalists and winners, this morning, Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica, will discuss the wider themes of the Prize and the Symposium at large. How does art help us to navigate through societal shifts? How does it aid us in making sense of the world around us? Can it act as a conduit for connecting communities? The rate of change is exponential, and the definition of what it means to be an artist is constantly shifting. How can we harness a thriving sector? How can we support each other better? Are we at a new frontier for visual culture? This is a chance to familiarise yourself with the ideas that will shape the day ahead – from film and photography to XR.
CHERIE FEDERICO Cherie is the Editor of Aesthetica Magazine and the Director of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF), which is BAFTA-Qualifying. She is also the founder of the Aesthetica Art Prize and the Future Now Symposium. Originally from New York, Cherie moved to the UK to study for her Master’s degree and founded Aesthetica, which she has since developed into an international brand distributed in 915 stores in the UK and exported to 20 countries. Cherie is a champion of creative talent across the arts, from film and literature to photography. 27
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY
15 MINUTES WITH AESTHETICA ART PRIZE FINALISTS 09:40-09:55
Kenji Ouellet. Still from Contrapunctus V (2022). Single channel digital video, 17 min 51 sec.
Join us to hear from four Aesthetica Art Prize finalists, who will share their practice for four minutes each. They will give insights into how they made their shortlisted works, which span photography, film, installation, sculpture, digital art and more. This is an opportunity to find out more about the creative minds and processes that brought these works to life. This is an inspiring quick-fire session that promises to be full of ideas, spotlighting new talents making waves in the art world today. The perfect accompaniment to your visit to the show, which opens to the public at York Art Gallery today. This panel includes Cinzia Campolese, Kenji Ouellet, Sigita Silina and Thomas Jenkins.
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Sigita Silina. Still from Liminal Potential (2023). Single channel digital video, 10 min 27 sec.
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY DR ALEXANDRA WOODALL HEAD OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, CURATORIAL AND COLLECTIONS HOPE STRICKLAND FILMMAKER AESTHETICA ART PRIZE WINNER SADIE CLAYTON ARTIST, DESIGNER
ORI GERSHT PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEO ARTIST
YURI SUZUKI SOUND ARTIST, DESIGNER & MUSICIAN 30
SESSION 7 10:00-11:00 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ARTIST TODAY? The art world is always changing. We’ve seen this play out over the past decade, from the rise and fall of NFTs to controversy around AI generators. Meanwhile, institutions have been reassessing collections in the wake of important movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, whilst landmark books such as The History of Art Without Men and The New Black Vanguard have put representation front and centre. Creatives continue to respond to pressing socio-political and ecological issues, with science, technology, art and activism intersecting. Here, Hope Strickland, Larry Achiampong, Sadie Clayton, Yuri Suzuki, Ori Gersht and Alexandra Woodall discuss the role of the artist in 2024. What is it like to make work right now? How do you stay resilient in the face of funding cuts?
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY SESSION 8 11:15-12:15 BEYOND REALISM: THE FILMS OF MARGARET SALMON Glasgow-based Margaret Salmon is best known for creating award-winning filmic portraits that weave poetry and ethnography. Her moving-images focus largely on family, friends and local subjects, chronicling everyday activities and meaningful connections between individuals. Salmon will talk about how she adapts techniques drawn from various cinematic movements, including Cinema Vérité, the European Avant Garde and Italian Neo-Realism, whilst taking an intuitive – often improvised – approach to camera and sound. Her films infuse common moments with a sense of grandeur. Salmon won the first Max Mara Art Prize for Women and has been shortlisted for the Jarman Award. She has exhibited at Berlin and Venice Biennales, ICA and Whitechapel Gallery.
MARGARET SALMON Margaret Salmon (b. 1975) is an American artist and filmmaker, working in Glasgow. After completing her studies in photography at The School of Visual Arts in New York, Salmon obtained a Masters degree in the same subject from The Royal College of Arts, London. Her versatile images and films capture the minutiae of daily life whilst touching upon universal human themes. As well as being featured in the New Contemporaries show at the Liverpool Biennial in 2004, Salmon was the recipient of the first ever Max Mara Art Prize for Women in 2006. 32
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Installation view, Margaret Salmon: Circle, Tramway, Glasgow, (2018). Image courtesy Tramway and LUX Scotland. Photo Keith Hunter.
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY HANNAH STARKEY PHOTOGRAPHER MARY PHAN CURATORIAL FELLOW IN PHOTOGRAPHY VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON TOM HUNTER PROFESSOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION KAVI PUJARA PHOTOGRAPHER EDGAR MARTINS PHOTOGRAPHER AND AESTHETICA ART PRIZE FINALIST DR. OPE LORI FOUNDER AND CEO, PILAA
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Hannah Starkey, Untitled, 5th November 2008. © Hannah Starkey, courtesy Maureen Paley, London.
SESSION 9 13:30 - 14:30 PHOTOGRAPHY IN FOCUS The past 12 months have been filled with debate surrounding photography’s definition. When Boris Eldagsen’s now-infamous AI-generated piece, The Electrician, won a Sony World Photography Award in 2023, it sparked discussion around trust in images. This panel takes the conversation back to basics. Five contemporary lens-based artists and curators, Hannah Starkey, Kavi Pujara, Mary Phan, Tom Hunter and Edgar Martins sit down with Dr. Ope Lori to speak about their practice. You’ll get an insight into their interests, influences and day-to-day, as well as pivotal moments in their careers, as they touch on big questions: What are the ethics of documentary? How do you construct a “good” shot? What does the ever-increasing capability of smartphone cameras mean? 35
Marshmallow Laser Feast, Breathing Space. Image courtesy of the artists.
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY
SESSION 10 14:45-15:45 CREATIVITY IN A DIGITAL WORLD: THE IMPACT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES In 2023, Photoshop launched AI generative fill, making it easier than ever before to transform pictures with nothing more than a text prompt. In this session, we’re asking: what do advancements like this mean for the future of human imagination? How might the rise of XR and interactive media affect the arts? What are the pitfalls, and what can these technologies do for good? In this session, art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast; Jenna Ng, University of York; Dr. Ana Despina-Tudor, LCC; and Barbican’s Acting Co-Head, Patrick Moran, push beyond the headlines and talk candidly about a fast-developing field. What does it really mean for artists? They’ll speak about immersive spaces and expanded reality, bringing art, science, technology and gaming together. 36
ROBIN MCNICHOLAS FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MARSHMALLOW LASER FEAST
JENNA NG SENIOR LECTURER IN FILM AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA, UNIVERSITY OF YORK
PATRICK MORAN ACTING CO-HEAD, BARBICAN CENTRE
ANA DESPINA-TUDOR COURSE LEADER MA VIRTUAL REALITY, LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION 37
Steve Messam, Spiked, (2021).
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY
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SESSION 11 16:00 - 17:00 SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION: DISRUPTING THE EVERYDAY How can temporary artworks transform our perceptions of a place? Steve Messam is best known for creating outdoor installations that are “bigger than a house.” The environmental artist uncovers hidden stories in rural and built landscapes. Bright colours and bold geometric shapes are hallmarks of his style, encouraging us to stop, look and perceive familiar places in a new way. He’s worked on major temporary projects with Aesthetica, the National Railway Museum and National Trust, as well as exhibiting at Milan Design Week and Venice Biennale. Messam will delve into his practice transforming 22,000 paper sheets, 100 cubic metres of air and five kilometres of fabric into works of art. He’ll also speak about the value of resilience in creating a sustainable practice.
STEVE MESSAM Steve Messam (b. 1969) is an environmental artist based in County Durham and working internationally. Messam’s ephemeral site-specific installations reimagine the everyday, interrupting historical landscapes and vacant architecture to help us perceive familiar spaces in a new way. In 2022, his large-scale inflatable textile piece, Portico, was displayed over the entrance of the York Art Gallery, as part of the Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition. His tactile projects appear in rural and urban environments from Canada to Denmark, Scotland to Monaco and beyond. 39
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY SESSION 12 17:15 - 18:15 THE POWER OF IN-BETWEEN: JULIANKNXX “You are not one, you are multiple, and you are yourself.” Philosopher Édouard Glissant’s words are at the heart of Julianknxx’s practice. In February, the Sierra Leonian poet, artist and filmmaker showed Chorus in Rememory of Flight at the Barbican – exploring themes of inheritance, loss and belonging. The piece crosses between the written word, music and visual art, and uses the artist’s personal history to deconstruct dominant perspectives on African history and culture. Rich with symbolism, Julianknxx’s work conveys the Black experience of defining and redefining the self, rejecting labels to form new narratives. He speaks with Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf about song and music as resistance, and what it means to make artwork between multiple places, times and genres.
JULIANKNXX Sierra Leonian artist, filmmaker and poet Julianknxx (b. 1978) works between music, classic visual disciplines, moving image and the written word, drawing on his personal experiences as a way to break down dominant western perceptions of African art, culture and history. His multi-disciplinary projects explore themes of belonging, inheritance and loss. Julianknxx’s immersive pieces and performances have been displayed at the likes of Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; the Schinkel Pavillion, Berlin; Utah Museum of Fine Arts; and London’s Whitechapel Gallery. 40
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Julianknxx, Still from In A Dream We Are at Once Beautiful, (2022). Courtesy of Studioknxx.
SESSIONS & EVENTS | FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY
18:30-20:30 DRINKS RECEPTION YORKSHIRE MUSEUM, YO1 7FR Celebrate with us and meet artists from both the short and longlists of the 2024 Aesthetica Art Prize as we close the Future Now Symposium 2024. This drinks reception, taking place in the Medieval Gallery at Yorkshire Museum, is a fantastic opportunity to unwind after a busy day of sessions, portfolio reviews and networking. Catch up with participants and delegates. Make new connections. Discuss key points and themes from the sessions you’ve attended. Immerse yourself in conversations about art. This casual social is a great way to finish off the Symposium. It’s a destination for meeting attendees over a complimentary drink, served on a first-come, first-served basis. All passholders welcome. We look forward to seeing you there to round off the event!
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SESSIONS & EVENTS | 15-16 FEBRUARY
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS, YORK THEATRE ROYAL, YO1 7HD & YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY (THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS ONLY) These 1:1 sessions, hosted in the Upper Foyer of York Theatre Royal (a 5-minute walk from Yorkshire Museum) and DG 124 at York St John University’s (YO31 7EX) De Grey Building, are for practitioners working across all genres, including digital media, painting, photography, sculpture, video and more. Our industry experts provide essential guidance on how to develop ideas and further artists’ careers, as well as providing insights on how to market themselves and where to go next. Each session lasts 20 minutes. This is your opportunity to get key advice on any number of topics: how to accelerate your practice through digital platforms, how to approach curators and galleries, or simply discussing a particular portion of your portfolio in real time. The first review is free with your pass. Additional reviews can be booked for £25 per slot. 43
FUTURE NOW 2024 | PORTFOLIO REVIEWERS
ALEXANDRA WOODALL Dr Alexandra Woodall is Head of Public Engagement, Curatorial and Collections at York Museums Trust. For over 20 years, she has managed learning, interpretation and exhibition programmes at the likes of Sheffield Museums, Manchester Art Gallery, Royal Armouries, and UAE’s Sainsbury Centre. Prior to her role in York, she was Sheffield University’s Programme Director for Creative and Cultural Industries Management.
CHERIE FEDERICO Cherie is the Editor of Aesthetica Magazine and the Director of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF), which is BAFTA-Qualifying. She is the founder of the Aesthetica Art Prize and the Future Now Symposium. She has developed Aesthetica into an international brand, distributed in 915 UK stores and exported to 20 countries. Cherie is a champion of creative talent across the arts, from film and literature to design and photography.
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ELEANOR SUTHERLAND Eleanor joined Aesthetica in 2017. As Creative Producer, she works across the magazine’s print and digital platforms, researching and writing on contemporary art. She loves discovering creatives and sharing their work with global readers. Eleanor strives to make art accessible through clear, engaging and assumption-free language. She studied Art History & English at the University of York and is passionate about computer science.
DAMON JACKSON-WALDOCK Damon Jackson-Waldock is a curator, creative producer and arts programmer based in Yorkshire. He joined The Art House, Wakefield, as Programme Director in 2021. Damon’s role is to support the wide range of creative talent regionally and internationally without barriers and steer exciting exhibitions and residences in The Art House’s galleries and within the community. He previously worked at YSP for 11 years.
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FUTURE NOW 2024 | PORTFOLIO REVIEWERS
DARREN PIH Darren Pih is the Chief Curator and Artistic Director of Harewood House Trust, Leeds. Previously, Darren worked as Exhibitions and Displays Curator at Tate Liverpool for over 15 years. He is dedicated to creative ideas that engage with colonialism, environmentalism and inclusion. He is co-curating the 2024 Harewood Biennial with Ligaya Salazar, and his Radical Landscapes show is at William Morris Gallery until 18 February.
GRISELDA GOLDSBROUGH Griselda Goldsbrough, visual artist and writer, is committed to cultural and creative activity in community engagement projects within heritage, science, museums, galleries and healthcare. She is Artist in Residence at Foss Park Hospital, York; Art and Design Development Manager, York Hospital; and co-curator Aesthetica Art Prize. Goldsbrough has been involved in the Aesthetica Art Prize for several years, championing new talent.
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HANNAH STARKEY Hannah Starkey has had numerous solo exhibitions across the world. Her work has been included in Tate Modern, London; Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York; Turner Contemporary, Margate; Huis Marseille, Amsterdam; Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt; the V&A, London; and The Hepworth Wakefield, amongst others. She has received extensive coverage in The Guardian, The Telegraph and The New York Times, amongst many others.
KIT MONKMAN Kit Monkman is a leading innovator in screen-based art and interactive media. He is a director and founder at Viridian FX, one of the leading VFX houses in the North of England – with credits like House of the Dragon. Kit directed Macbeth (2018) and the five-channel video The People We Love (2020). He is co-founder of KMA, transforming public spaces across the world. Kit has worked with big names, from Netflix to Sky.
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FUTURE NOW 2024 | PORTFOLIO REVIEWERS
LEANNE GREEN Leanne Green is Head of Exhibitions and Displays at Tate Liverpool, which attracts over 600,000 visitors per year. Previously, she held curatorial roles at Whitworth Gallery, Manchester, and Henry Moore Institute, Leeds. She has completed a Collaborative Doctorial Award in Visual Culture with the Imperial War Museum. Her interests are in the connections between art, contemporary conflicts and displacement.
MARY PHAN Mary Phan is a Curatorial Fellow in Photography, supported by The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation at the Victoria & Albert Museum. She is interested in the intersection of lens-based media and ecology, and completed her MA in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Recently, Mary led a talk as part of the V&A Academy Lunchtime Lecture Series focusing on the evolution of nature photography within V&A’s collection.
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NEPHERTITI OBOSHIE SCHANDORF Nephertiti is Artistic Director of Peckham Platform, a creative and educational charity in Peckham, south London. She works to expand partnerships and sectoral reach at a time of significant cultural and social change. She is responsible for developing and leading Peckham Platform’s vision, nurturing community art practice and networks. Nephertiti has worked with the Whitworth, Somerset House and Singapore Biennale.
OPE LORI Dr Ope Lori brings to PILAA a wealth of knowledge and experience in race, gender, sexuality, liberational thinking, visual arts and education. She was a Lecturer at Chelsea School of Arts, Leeds Arts University and the Royal College of Arts. She is also an artist who specialises in using video and photography in her political practice. Ope has exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at Autograph in London.
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FUTURE NOW 2024 | PORTFOLIO REVIEWERS
SADIE CLAYTON Sadie Clayton is an award-winning artist and innovator who explores the creative boundaries between art and technology. Sadie is fascinated by innovation, has presented work at the Royal Academy of the Arts, Tate and the V&A, and has created content with Adobe films. In 2019, Sadie became the first artist to create works with the robot Ai-Da at Tate Modern, as part of the Tate Exchange’s exploration of new technology and the self.
SARAH MARTIN Sarah Martin is the Head of Exhibitions at Turner Contemporary, Margate, which is one of the most successful galleries in the UK. It presents a rolling programme of temporary displays year-round. Sarah joined the institution in 2007 as Exhibitions Curator, and she has previously worked at Camden Arts Centre; Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead; London’s Whitechapel Gallery; as well as Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.
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SARAH PERKS Sarah Perks is an interdisciplinary curator and writer based in the Tees Valley, creating exhibitions, books and projects across contemporary art, design, science and film. She is Professor of Curating at MIMA x School of Arts and Creative Industries at Teesside University. Previous roles include Artistic Director at HOME and Cornerhouse in Manchester. Sarah is Programme Advisor for the renowned BFI London Film Festival.
TOM HUNTER Tom Hunter is a photography and film artist based in East London. He is Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East London. Tom has won several awards, including the Photographic Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery. He has been commissioned by Serpentine Galleries and V&A. His work is in the Tate, National Gallery, MoMA & Smithsonian collections.
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