Commissioning for Change Lab with LOOK/17

About

This event is for anyone who would like to gain a better understanding of the commissioning process, the difficulties faced by both photographers and commissioners and for those who would like to contribute to creating a better commissioning landscape.

Programme

Introduction by Sarah Fisher and Paul Herrmann

This event will highlight the work of different organisations connecting with and commissioning artists and/or photographers. Speakers will share their experiences and in particular why they commission, and what makes a good collaboration with an artist or photographer. 

Part one
The Commissioners 
Short presentations from commissioners explaining why and how they have successfully commissioned projects followed by a panel discussion. 

Speakers:
Anne Braybon  - National Portrait Gallery and Legacy of Olympics/Paralympics 2012 
Steve Connor – Creative Concern projects
Patrick Fox – Heart of Glass 
Lindsay Taylor – University of Salford  
Janet Dugdale – Museum of Liverpool  
Suzy Jones – Royal Institute of British Architects  
Polly Brannan – Liverpool Biennial  
Lesley Woodbridge – Local Council  
Sarah Butchard – NHS Merseycare  

Part two 
The Commissioned
Short presentations from photographers who have delivered successful briefs for commissioners.

Speakers:

Tadhg Devlin

After initially studying art in Dublin, Tadhg left for the Uk in 1993 to study photography in Cornwall. After completing a HND, Tadhg started an internship at the internationally renowned Magnum photos office in London. Since leaving Magnum Photos worked as a freelance photographer based in London, working for a variety of publications throughout the UK, Europe and the US. Was also working in the social documentary area of photography for a number of groups throughout the UK who help to house the more vulnerable people in society providing accommodation for the young, disabled and people with addiction problems. Recently has been working on a collaborative project with the SURF dementia group in Merseyside as part of the Culture Shifts programme with Open Eye gallery and NHS Merseycare looking at what it means for an individual to live with dementia. Currently a photography lecturer as well as pursuing personal projects for exhibition.  

Liz Hingley

Liz Hingley is British photographer and anthropologist. She is currently working on major commissions with The University of Birmingham and FORMAT festival in Derby. Previously Liz held posts at Fudan University in Shanghai, The University of Texas and University College London. Liz also spent two years on a scholarship at FABRICA communication department in Italy and works on regular commissions for art institutions, magazines and charities. Her publications include Under Gods, stories from Soho Road (2010), Shanghai, Portraits De Villes (2013) and Home Made in Smethwick (2016). Shanghai Sacred, her most recent work, will be published in 2017. Liz has received numerous awards for her work including The Photophilanthropy Award, Prix Virginia and the Getty Editorial Grant. 

Part three 
Exploring different contexts for commissions.
Five break-out sessions to discuss themes brought up in part one and two, relating to differing commissioning contexts and worked between the commissioners, photographers and audience members. 

LOOK/17
This year LOOK begins a new direction, working more closely with Open Eye Gallery to establish an international model for the festival based on international exchange.

LOOK/17 presents a unique opportunity for trans-global sharing of images and ideas. Working with Hong Kong-based curator Ying Kwok, the festival will focus on exchange with China, welcoming Chinese photographers and exploring images taken in Hong Kong and Liverpool – cities with a long history of exchange.

The festival will consider how we use the universal language of photography to experience and shape the city. It will encourage conversations with other disciplines such as architecture, education, planning and commerce.