Visit to Kassel

I am still thinking about my visit to Documenta Fifteen in Kassel last month. Arriving in a torrential downpour at the 1960’s station forecourt, Kassel felt very austere. I went straight to the heart of the project and information point called the ‘ruru house’. It had exhibitions, chill out spaces and a bookshop. I spent some time there just listening in to and taking part in conversation, being part of a connective atmosphere. This is the first Documenta curated by artists, a political intervention of self-determination. Lumbung from Indonesia organised the show, which was big and varied with a worldwide network of collectives (full of acronyms !) taking centre stage, rather than a few individuals. There was an exploration of different economic models for supporting artists and ethics in action, with representation of collectives working in some very tough living conditions. Unusually, I took a tour ! The tour guide Hans presented our gathering as a conversation between us with the idea that walking round was an opportunity to exchange and share multiple interpretations and so it was. There was a visceral feel of creativity, work in progress, fresh and hot off the press. My highlights were; a show in what was a former swimming pool by Indonesian cultural activists Taring Padi, which included cardboard placards, banners and posters; a documentary video of a drawing event, by Wajukuu Art Project a kind of community performance, creating a positive focus in the slums of Nairobi; the work of ikkibawiKerr, songs from the female South Korean seaweed divers, set against backdrop of a past Japanese invasion, presented with a model village animated with laser cut sculpture.

I came away with lots of philosophical food for thought and feeling very lucky to be part of a modest collective of three, with its very own acronym! Here is more about our show next month. Entitled ‘Fault Lines’, the exhibition maps our individual and collective journeys as practitioners through these unprecedented times: personal isolation, anxiety, existential questions, political and economic turbulence and a sense of fracture and dislocation inform our works. Because of the practicalities of the space and our desire to get as much time as possible to talk to visitors, we have decided not to have a Private View, instead, we will be resident in the gallery every day. Save the date!

‘Fault Lines’ - WTFCollective

Open Daily 10th to 15th November 2022.

Thursday 10th November 14.00 –18.00.

Friday 11th to Tuesday 15th November 11.00-18.00

Bottleworks, 8 Riverside Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LX