Life Friendly Residency with Yan Preston

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25 July — 6 August Open Studio: 5 & 6 August Late Night Opening with the Artist: 5 August, 5pm - 7:30pm Plus Life Friendly Events throughout the Summer Chinese Arts Centre is delighted to announce the experimental ‘Life Friendly Project' in collaboration with research consultancy Culture Probe, this summer. The Life Friendly Project attempts to explore how artists and art organisations can work in ways that have a positive (benign / restorative) impact on both human quality of life and on the natural world. This approach is in radical contrast to the low carbon economy eco-efficiency approach, which focuses on reducing negative impact. There is considerable evidence that eco-efficiency does not solve the climate change problem but only slows it down, and has other unintended negative consequences. The project will see an initial two-week residency develop with Yorkshire based artist Yan Preston. Yan will be working with Chinese Art Centre staff and Culture Probe to explore how her arts practice impacts both on the environment and her own and other's well being. Yan will develop ideas and potential working methods based on this initial exploration and will try to discover new 'Life Friendly' methods of practicing as an artist. The artist will be delving into all areas of her practice, from the ergonomics of her body whilst creating work, to the environmental damage her art materials may have on herself and everything around her. The artist will also be inviting other local artists and environmentalists into the studio to discuss and develop ideas around their potential ‘Life Friendly' approach to arts practice. Yan will be sharing her research with the public on 5 and 6 August to culminate the residency and a series of public talks and workshops will run throughout the 'Life Friendly' Summer period to further explore ideas about the project. The first Talk will take place at 2:30pm on 6 August, where you can hear more from the artist. This is a free event, however to guarantee a place, please book your place online - http://lifefriendlytalk.eventbrite.com. For more information about the project keep an eye on our Chinese Art Centre blog and website to insights from the artist and dates for public events.