Arts Catalyst

Arts Catalyst

Arts Catalyst

The Arts Catalyst is an Arts Council funded group that push the boundaries of both art and science together. Commissioning artists that aim to utilize (whether critically or experimentally,) both the arts and sciences in performance. The group work around the world (mainly focusing their works in Britain,) to promote the notion of working collaboratively with people from different backgrounds and interests. Along with the artists and scientists involved the arts catalyst group aim to involve the general public in order to gain valuable opinions and thoughts on the sciences and exploring the possibilities and opportunities available to the performers and scientists involved. The arts catalyst have previously organised and commissioned collaborative events including workshops, artist residencies, conferences, publishing’s and research projects along with other styles of experimental collaborative research.

The Arts Catalyst focus mainly on commissioning new artist and presenting their work, providing funding and resources giving the artists the ability to progress and develop work to then be presented in established art venues around the UK and the world such as museums, Galleries and public spaces, Aiming to provide work to engage large audiences to appreciate the works heavily influenced by the sciences and technologies.

History of the Arts Catalyst.

The Arts Catalyst was founded in 1993 by Nicola Triscott, who is now the Director of the organization and its programmes, Triscott is also a cultural producer and writer who specialises in the fusion of art, science, technology and community. Triscott also co-founded the microgravity interdisciplinary research group, as well as being co-chair of the International Astronautical Federation's committee on cultural utilisation of space. Triscott has written and published many papers and articles available from her profile on The Arts Catalyst website,which mostly concentrate on performative science and explorations of technology and space. She has also been involved in academic writings in such books as 'Interfaces of Performance.'

The first project funded by the arts catalyst took the form of a one man show, in the year that the organization was founded, Presented by Artist Jack Klaff. Klaff took character as an exceptionally rational scientist named Professor A A Singleton-Guiness (Also the name of the project.) A A Singleton-Guiness is a fictional character, who has apparently won the nobel prize on an occasion for keeping science dignified and untouched by the arts. In this performance, Klaff Performs Singleton-Guiness as a Hard faced scientist who is unconvinced by logical yet drastic conclusions within science, focussing his performance on comedic value, as well as the character’s opinion of nothing being true until proven, providing a cold and entirely relentless attitude towards unproven theories. Since 1994 the Arts Catalyst has managed to commission artists from around the globe on over eighty different projects, produced by over 100 artists, arts organisations and performance groups from specialist fields such as Live Art (art form) and the sciences, such as Kira O'Reilly, The Critical Art Ensemble and The Otolith group.

The Arts Catalyst not only commission artists to develop performance based works, but also have a large dedication to education, in 1994 the Arts catalyst launched a series of six week projects in primary schools around the country. The project continued until 2007, in schools (in underprivileged boroughs of London) such as Tower Hamlets, Merton, Lewisham, Barnet, Haringey, and wandworth [delete?[boroughs]delete?]. The project, entitled, ‘In Music and Science, consisted of music and science workshop leaders guiding sessions which eventually led to a performance by the students. Pieces composed completely by the classes were then performed at the end of this six week period. The project helped students aged six to nine learn about vibrations, patterns and the mind and body, directly correlating with the curriculum assigned for the students that term. The project resulted in the production of a Teachers’ Pack to support Music and Science lessons which were not directly linked to the project. Since the Arts Catalyst was founded it has helped develop performances and experiments, as well as symposiums, workshops and group participation sessions,low gravity flight experiments,family days and conventions.

Important People

Along with founder and director Nicola Triscott, there is a team of Eight others who provide the administrative support that the company needs to operate to its full functionality, aswell as a board of Five trustee's, supplying support not only financially, but also by actively supporting the Arts Catalyst in roles such as strategic development and curational aspects. Below you will find a section on each of the 8 other Administrative Persons involved with the arts catalyst.

Rob La Frenais (curator.)

La Frenais began curating for The Arts Catalyst group in 1997, but has been curating and writing as a critic since 1987 in various countries throughout europe as a freelance curator and events organizer. La Frenais also founded The Groundbreaking Arts Magazine that played a vital role in the world of performance up until 1992. He also spent time as the artistic director of Belluard-Bollwerk International in Switzerland. La Frenais has a [[[pHd]]] in curatorial practise and is also an honorary Doctor at Dartington College of the arts. To Download Papers and articles by La Frenais, or browse his CV please visit: Arts Catalyst,Rob La fresnais

Gillian Dickie (Producer.)

Dickie has Produced work for the arts catalyst since joining in 2002,producing projects such as 'Interspecies' in both London and Manchester, and the International Artist Airshows(Versions 1 ,2 and 3.) Dickie graduated Edinburgh Art College with a degree in painting, and has previously worked as exibitions assistant at the Third Eye Centre in Glasgow, As an administrator for Blast Theory and as a producer for the Imlata Dance Company and People Show. Dickie Also worked as a producer in the film industry for a number of years, spending two years producing for Merchant Ivory Productions.

Jo Fells (Head of Marketing and P.R.)

Fells became part of the Arts Catalyst in 2009, After spending 9 years Involved with Large Institutions of art and culture, such as the Museum of London and several institutions that are part of the National Museums Liverpool. Fell only works for the Arts Catalyst part time, whilst continuing freelance work in museums, galleries and charities around the UK.

Peipei Han (Admin and Marketing P.R.)

Han works part time at the Arts Catalyst, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Her contact information can be found here.

Nahum Mantra (associate for space projects.)

Mantra is Events Programmer for the Kosmica series at the Arts Catalyst, as well as being the coordinator of The International Astronautical Federation's Technical Commitee onthe Cultural Utilisation of Space. (ITACCUS for short.)

Others involved involved in official administrative positions of the Arts Catalyst are Raffie Hosein (Accountant,) Ele Carpenter (Curatorial Associate) and Janet Scott (P.R. Associate.)

Artists

The Arts Catalyst group fund projects that explore a range of themes, looking in depth into performance as an experiment and research subject, using scientific processes they develop performances that pushes the boundaries between arts and science. One particular artist that looks closely at the scientific side of performance is Brandon Ballengée Brandon Ballengée's Arts Catalyst Page. Another group of artists that have a curious drive is the group Flow Motion with the ambition to discover different elements of space, translating them into art and music. Visual Art within performance is also an interest for artists such as Carey Young working with Arts Catalyst since since 1998 working on projects such as Atomic London producing work until 2005.Critical Arts Ensemble focuses on political activism and theories between the arts, technology and critical theories, using these themes they produced performances such as 'CleanRooms' and 'Marching Plague' both of which have a political energy exploring medical conspiracy’s and government secrets.

Brandon Ballengée

Ballengée works and has worked with artists and scientist to explore the possibilities within ecological practices by going on research trips. He has been working alongside a number of scientific since 1996 researching into biological process and photographing his projects. Using creatures such as frogs Ballengée's work has been recognised not only by performance and media but by science, as his work was published as a part of "Ecoventions", a book published in 2002 by the Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati. As well as working on his own projects he has also worked for Yale University, The American Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at U.C. Berkeley, due to the success of his work he has been recognised within the science industry as well as performance this has allowed his to display his work around the world which have gained him a lot of media attention as well. Since his success within this field his journalistic work has also been published by the National Contemporary Arts Center in Kaliningrad, Russia. During his time researching he also spent time teaching at Costa Rica' Hartwick College, teaching ecology art and neotropical evolution.

The work Brandon Ballengée has produced with the Arts Catalyst spans from working with other artists in an exhibition to discover how to create human flight Second International Artists Air show to working with this scientific passion and working with amphibians, Malamp: The Occurrence of Deformities in Amphibians, Brandon Ballengée. With a wide range of interests Brandon Ballengée has produced some thought-provoking work within the field of art and science.

Flow Motion

The Flow Motion group aim to explore the galaxy and look into different notions of space, relating this to music and art, founded in 1996 by Anna Piva, Edward George and Trevor Mathison, there fascination with space began individually there discovery where very different Anna Piva found her inspiration for working with space when she attended a concert of Sun Ra and his Arkestra being motivated by Sun Ra's connection with the sounds of space, this encouraged her to study music, science and philosophy. Edward George interest in space and sound began it was the experience of the first man on the moon. Before Trevor Mathison left the group, he influenced the group with audio and digital media. The group engaged with the Arts Catalyst and science of space when given the opportunity to discover the feeling of weightlessness on project MIR Flight 001: ‘microgravity interdisciplinary research After working with the Arts Catalyst group twice Flow Motion has gone to produce five other performances most recent of them in 2005 The Lab a performance that spanned from 08/09/2004 – 22/07/2005.

Carey Young

Carey Young is a performing artist that began her work with the Arts Catalysts group in 1998, with performances shown in London, Nottingham and internet streamed performance in July of 2011 KOSMICA 13/07/2011. Using the media of photography and video Young explores language, public and personal political stances using performance events, instillations and still art such as photography to demonstrate her stimulus. Carey Young also looks into the concept of training and performance in order to give the audience an inquisitive view towards the message in various performances. Originally born in Lusaka, Zambia moved to study, studying in Manchester, London and the University of Brighton where she studied photography and has since got a dual citizenship for the UK/USA. Young has also been involved in gallery performances exhibiting work in galleys around the world including White Chapel Art gallery, Brooklyn Museum of Art and London's Tate Gallery. Nominated in 2003 for her controversial work involving legal language including a piece shown at the Henry Moore Institute and a series of works called 'Consideration' that looks at the connection between performance art and contract law.

Critical Arts Ensemble

A performance/media group formed of specialists in various fields of arts and media. A collaborative group that not only have worked together but have also has individual careers within the media and arts spectrum. Throughout there projects together they have created controversial performances that display the performers views within politics, performance, technology and media. With their combined skills of photography, performance, book art, film/video, graphics and internet design, they are able to focus their collective skills in performance, exhibits, instillations and divisive critical work. This group is internationally known and recognised for their outgoing approach to new media, after forming together in 1987 they have had over thirty performances of various verity from video and instillations to internet performance.

Other Artists

James AcordMarcus AhlersLaurie AndersonMarceli Antunez RocaKatherine AranielloLise AutogenaBrandon BallengéeGavin BallyAnne BeanSteve BeardAnna BergströmHagen BetzwieserAndy BichlbaumMatthew BiedermanAnsuman BiswasBen BlakebroughAnne BrodieKen CampbellBrian CatlingOron CattsHelen ChadwickMiles ChalcraftRachel ChapmanEwen ChardronnetTom CorbySue CorkeRichard CouzinsCritical Art EnsembleGina CzarneckiBeatriz Da CostaJerry Dammers Spatial AKA OrchestraAdam DantAnn DickieKitsou DuboisAnna DumitriuKodwo EshunHelen EvansJan FabreSimon FaithfullJem FinerAlec FinlayVadim FishkinFlow MotionAlicia FramisLetizia GalliStefan GecBruce GilchristAlexandra Daisy GinsbergAndy GracieJoanna GriffinMichelle GriffithsVictoria HalfordAntony HallSally HampsonHeiko HansenHeHeSimon HollingtonMelanie JacksonLuke JerramZina KayeSonia KhuranaJack KlaffTim KnowlesAndrew KottingSteve KurtzKypros KyprianouYuri LeidermanLondon FieldworksJonathan MackenzieRuth MaclennanNathalie MagnanTrevor MathisonRachel MayeriAgnes Meyer-BrandisAleksandra MirKira O'ReillySinéad O'DonnellChris OakleyOffice of ExperimentsOtolith GroupLucy PanesarMarko PeljhanBenedict PhillipsEsther PolakJoshua PortwayNicolas PrimatSimon RobertshawSteve RowellTomas SaracenoSemiconductorNikky Smedley WilsonCamila SposatiLucy Stockton-SmithMike StubbsAshok SukumaranKate TierneyIvar van BekkumAndrey & Julia VelikanovMark Aerial WallerWeather PermittingNeal WhiteMorag WightmanAaron WilliamsonJane & Louise WilsonPaul WongCarey YoungAdam Zaretsky

Projects

Throughout the past seventeen years The Arts Catalyst group have supported and sponsored various types of performance, by exploring different themes and working alongside performance groups and artists the Arts Catalyst have reconnoitred the development between art and science. Looking into various themes enables the artists and company to look into many different fields of science for example: the ‘Republic to the Moon’ (a performance due to begin in December 2011) demonstrates how a group of loosely associated artists were brought together under the guidance and leadership of the Arts Catalyst group, to create a performance, this is not dissimilar to ‘Interspecies’ a performance that also was formed by various artists from within the Arts Catalyst family. However some projects delve deep into science working with science experiments and creating parallel performance experiments, this is extremely apparent in Ansuman Biswas’ CAT in 1997.

The Arts Catalyst group has produced critical work for new media and design not only has it supported and funded projects but encouraged artists to be subjective producing work that explores science by experimenting with styles and allowing artists to fuse relationships and work together has allowed projects to explore in new directions. Republic to the Moon and Interspecies proves how combining people with different professional skills together. Republic of the Moon combines the skills of film makers, photographers and artist they aim to create an image of plans for lunar mines and military bases and hopes to restore the belief in the magical view of the moon. The science within performance that the Arts Catalyst group strive to discover is captured when science and performance are create in a similar fashion this is apparent in Ansuman Biswas’ CAT in 1997 using Schrödinger's Cat as stimuli to create a human version of the quantum physics experiment. By moderating the senses as the performer was contained in a box for ten days allowed a live art durational performance that mirrored the experiment of Schrödinger's Cat. The experiment was followed up with three presentations considering non-western culture, sound and shamanic practices and Western science and Chinese medical practices. Performance group Parallel Universe: Ansuman Biswas, Paul Wong reveals that performance art, media and science can be combined as an experimental performance piece.

Educational And Public projects.

As mentioned earlier in the History section of this entry. The Arts Catalyst not only fund performance based experiments and scientific experiments that challenge the boundaries that lie between performance and science, to present to what one might call a typical audience.The organization also attempt to make science more accessible for a wider public audience. Family days, workshops and symposiums are also developed and funded by the arts catalyst and the performers, scientists and forward thinkers involved with the organization. Triscott writes in her chapter from the text 'Interfaces Of Performance,' That in both the US and the UK, Artists involved in art/science experimentation field (such as The Critical Art Ensemble,) feel that:

"Their has been a disconnect between science's progress and society's involvement and understanding, and that people may not understand the implications of Biotechnology and its commercial applications."

The Arts catalyst interactive projects form an interface for the public, without any discrimination towards age, to begin to gain accessibility to sciences and allow curiosity to inspire and spawn creative interaction within the field of science. A project presented and curated by the arts catalyst called 'Interspecies London,'(also presented earlier as 'Interspecies Manchester,) in 2009 combined a collective of artists and their work presented in a public space, the events performances, talks and workshops all revolved around the idea of working with animals as equals, and further understanding the relationship we have as a species with other species of animals, Works By Kira O'Reilly,Nicolas Primat and Antony Hall Where all presented as part of the event, along with talks from the curator, Rob La Frenais, aswell as workshops from Rachel Mayeri and Sally Hampson. The objective of the event was to create debate and inspire questioning, around the relationships we hold with animals , the power relationships and the way we understand these interactions and relationships. What made this event specifically important is its ability to utilize interaction to demonstrate and pass on knowledge.

Triscott is clearly attempting to remove or repair the tenuous connections and problems between science and the wider public, making experimentation and forward thinking more accessible to the general public. Funding projects that supply the audience with the inspiration to discuss and possibly even develop ideas further, attempting to fix the problem projected by The Critical Art Ensemble. Another project Funded by the Arts Catalyst ran with simlilar implications much more recently. Laboratory Life open Lab Was a one day interactive installation, supplying the public with on an interactive laboratory in which the public could openly enter and discover. The project invited young scientists, medical students and emerging artists to develop arts-science projects later showcased at Lighthouse in Brighton featuring such experiments as DNA tatooing and microbiological textiles, The laboratory was classed as an open house, giving the public free reign to visit and witness during the development of the project, allowing them to more clearly experience the development and organization of the project.--J.skudkid (talk) 17:21, 28 October 2011 (UTC)