The Bear Pit

About

Visitors are restricted to a raised gantry which surrounds and creates a viewing point for an enclosed area below. Three artist-run spaces from around the UK have been invited to curate a programme of events, exhibitions or residencies for a period of three weeks each.

The design for the construction is drawn from a student facility at Middlesex University, which was formerly based in an old industrial building in Wood Green, London, during the late 1990s. Nicknamed for its formal resemblance to the 19th century bear enclosures in parks and zoos, the space consisted of a series of raised walkways over a studio and performance area. This intimidating environment reinforced an intense interaction between audience and performer, shifting the power relationship more typically assumed.

This exploration of the conjuncture between institution, audience and artist will be further unpacked through Focal Point Gallery’s installation, which will also provide access to the developmental stage of the projects – inviting viewers to observe development, rehearsals and set-up from the gantry. A live-feed from the space will be displayed on the external Public Screen in Elmer Square, adjacent to the gallery.

‘The Bear Pit’ programme:

Slot 1: 20 July to 8 August Grand Union, Birmingham: Residency | Alice Theobald
Event date: Saturday 8 August

Slot 2: 10 August to 29 August OUTPOST, Norwich: Residency | Lucky Dragons
Event date: Saturday 22 August

Slot 3: 1 September to 19 September M-E-X-I-C-O, Leeds: Residency | ‘Zero Moments of Truth’ Inc. Jennifer Chan and Jaakko Pallasvuo
Event date: Saturday 19 September

‘The Bear Pit’ will run alongside ‘Graphics Interchange Format: 25 Years of Focal Point Gallery’ and Sophie Sleigh Johnson, ‘Chthonic Index’. All three projects will open with a launch event at Focal Point Gallery Saturday 18 July, 6.00pm to 10.00pm.

About Grand Union:

Grand Union is a gallery and studios, based in Digbeth, Birmingham's cultural quarter. The organisation creates an experimental and active site for the production of new work by a range of artists, curators and writers, based in the city and beyond.

The gallery does this in two ways – by hosting a public programme of exhibitions, events and publications and through the provision of purpose-built studios, currently housing some of the most established artists in the city.

The Grand Union Associate Curator scheme gives new practitioners the opportunity to test ideas and produce Grand Union's main exhibition programme in collaboration with the Gallery Director, keeping it fresh and innovative, whilst critical in approach.

www.grand-union.org.uk

About OUTPOST:

OUTPOST is an artist-run gallery, based in Norwich, committed to the uncompromising presentation of contemporary art.

Since its founding in 2004, OUTPOST has established itself as a leading centre for artist activity in the east of England. Alongside, OUTPOST operates a programme of offsite projects, events and produces a series of artists editions. OUTPOST currently provides studio space for 80 artists and operates a Membership scheme which is open to anyone to join. The membership provides a critical network for a community inside and beyond Norwich, who in turn create a diverse, informed, and engaged gallery audience. The gallery is run by a Steering Committee of up to eight members, with a limit of two years service.

www.norwichoutpost.org

About M-E-X-I-C-O:

“with great power comes great responsibility”

Mexico is based in Leeds and is made up of a group of individuals who work collectively on curatorial projects to show and support contemporary art.

www.m-e-x-i-c-o.co.uk