PROJECT AIMS

Bummock: New Artistic Responses to Unseen Parts of Archives

The project is examining issues around how artists approach the access to archives differently to standard practice. The aim is to create artistic responses in unexpected ways, to generate new readings, knowledge and artworks. To gain exposure for unseen and/or unvalued parts of archives. How much of stored items and documents are collected but remain unseen or uncatalogued? It is often only the important elements of archives and collections that are made public. We seek to give a platform for these stored and undervalued (or yet appreciated?) parts. We also seek to generate new methods of access to archives for researchers. To develop new ways researchers access archives, we seek to explore and establish new or alternative methods of access to archives and collections. As well as exploring the ethical relationship between artists and archives.

The project will conclude with ‘flipping the Bummock’ allowing these hidden aspects to become a visible ‘tip’ (of the iceberg). This will be manifested through a touring exhibition of the artwork from each archive, an evaluative publication, a conference and short documentary. In the future we see the project’s research and the methodologies established will be of use for future archives and artists working collaboratively on different types of projects.