Drawing Spaces is an autonomous space located at Fábrica Braço de Prata, in Lisbon, that seeks to promote investigative practices related to the subject of drawing. This project supports collaborations between artists and researchers from Portugal and artists and researchers from abroad. Drawing Spaces involves 12 artistic residencies and exhibitions; a series of lectures and debates; and various activities for art students and the general public related to the subject of drawing.
TEMPORARY RESPONSE UNIT
Christine Mackey
3 – 18 July 2009
Program
Open Residency + Exhibition: 3 - 18 July, Wednesday to Saturday, 7 pm – 11 pm
Project Presentation + Drawing Lesson + Opening, 17 July, 7pm
7 pm – Drawing Spaces, Teresa Carneiro and Luís Filipe Gomes
7.15 pm – Project Presentation Temporary Response Unity, Christine Mackey
7.45 pm – 9th Drawing Lesson: Drawing: Towards a community of research and practice, Dr. Steve Garner
8.15 pm – Questions
9 pm – Opening: Temporary Response Unit, Drawing Spaces
Temporary Response Unit, Christine Mackey
“Christine Mackey is currently pursuing a practice-based PhD at the University of Ulster, Belfast in Northern Ireland on drawing as a speculative field of inquiry where visual communication, exchange and knowledge intersect through the activity of ‘diagrammatics’.
This notion of drawing can be devised in a number of visual structures such as a plan, sketch, set of instructions, map, outline or notation depicting actions, processes, experiences as well as a method for thinking out ideas. Diagramming can provide a platform to develop a discursive exchange between on the one hand the action of drawing and on the other it’s potential for social-research. Combining diverse disciplines, subject matter and tactics this system can both reflect and reconfigure the relationship between space, visual data and social organization through an informed and communicative image making process.
Temporary Response Unit will function as a durational archive for observational research and the opportunity for public participation both in the gallery and on location. This project will orientate a playful approach and invitation to how we see and experience the world around us on a micro and social level through drawing. Building on existing elements constructed elsewhere that evolve and re-act to particular environments, for example; ‘Intimate Formations’ exists as a free hanging sculpture that is continually expanded and altered whenever a new situation is presented exploring in minute detail the morphology of plants. The work was initially inspired by John Millar’s essay on ‘Drawings That Question Diagrams’ a procedural process that involves the selection of a diagram which is copied by hand “over and over” again, compiled and presented as a book (infinitus). These hanging ‘samples’ expand the parameters of the subject matter into typographic minutiae of biological forms that creates a space for visual intimacy experienced by the viewer.
In 1913 Marcel Duchamp conceptualized chance and indeterminacy challenging traditional methodologies in developing art-works. ‘The Idea of the Fabrication’ outlined a way to make drawings that could be followed by the novice or the professional. Included in this exhibition is a set of instructions informed by Duchamp. The participant can attend and adapt this method for making drawings, which will be hung as a public installation during the residency. This event could locate drawing between art, its participants and discourse as a collective cultural process.
The final work for Drawing Spaces will be site-specific using a combination of digital drawing and sound tools that notates and responds to the city on foot projected as a transitory animated composition - between walking and drawing, drawing and listening, thinking and doing.”
9th Drawing Lesson: Drawing: Towards a community of research and practice, Dr. Steve Garner
“There has been much speculation on the notion of ‘communities of practice’ over the past two decades. It has particularly stimulated practitioners and researchers in art and design. But to what extent does the emerging international engagement with drawing represent a new community of practice?
This presentation explores the relationship of research and practice in drawing today. It examines some accepted indicators of community and highlights the role of the Drawing Research Network in supporting the development of a new community identity that embraces inquiry and output. The presentation proposes that we have the opportunity to establish a new drawing community where research and practice are integrated. It is proposed that the essential factors are the support of critical discourse and the existence of an agenda.”
Christine Mackey divides her-self between Belfast (N.Ireland) and Leitrim (Ireland) and between theory and practice. She has participated in International and National residencies in Costa Rica, The Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Firestation Artists Studios (Dublin), India, Wales, Finland, Greece and Vienna, and RIAA in Argentina (2009). A recipient of numerous awards from The Arts Council of Ireland, Local Authorities, EV + A Limerick (main award - 2004), Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholarship (2001), Cultural Ireland and A.I.B Emerging Award (shortlisted-2004) including a research bursary from the University of Ulster. Her practice combines site-specific and public works, exhibitions, performance and art-books.
Recent projects and forthcoming exhibitions include; RIAA – Argentina (www.proyectoriaa.org),The State Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki (Biennale), The Academy of Fine Arts, Katowice, Poland and Studio Golo Brdo, Croatia – Curator: Tomisalav Brajnovic. AFTER, commissioned by Leitrim and Roscommon Arts Office, RIVERwork(s) commissioned by Sligo Arts Office (2008), New Sites New Fields, Leitrim Sculpture Centre, and is currently participating on an International multi-media collaborative project organised by e-MobilArt. (www.AFTER.ie, www.media.uos.gr, www.sligoarts.ie)
Dr Steve Garner is a Senior Lecturer in Design at the Open University in the UK. He is the leader of the second level course titled Design and Designing, and he contributes to other courses including a new first level course titled Design Thinking. His research interests include the use of representations in design (particularly digital representations, sketches, and sketch models), computer supported collaborative designing and distance design education. He has published widely on drawing and designing.
He is Director of the international Drawing Research Network. He is currently Principal Investigator on a JISC research project that aims to support distance design education and a Leverhulme Trust project that seeks to combine eye tracking technology with computer supported concept design. In 2008 Intellect published ‘Writing on Drawing’, a collection of essays he edited.
Drawing Spaces, Fábrica Braço de Prata
Rua da Fábrica do Material de Guerra, nº1, 1950 – 128, Lisbon
Wednesday – Saturday, 7pm – 11pm
Website: www.drawingspaces.weebly.com Email: drawingspaces@googlemail.com
For further information about Fábrica Braço de Prata, a large cultural venue with 12 interactive spaces running daily concerts, exhibitions, performances, conferences, bars, a restaurant and a large bookshop, please go to: http://www.bracodeprata.com
Partnerships
Centro de Filosofia das Ciências - Universidade de Lisboa
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