This will be an exhibition with a difference – the students will be displaying themselves.
The strange title of this exhibition was suggested bya student whose first language is Japanese. He had noticed that in English the suffix '–ing' indicates a continuous, present action: talking, making, etc. And that's what this exhibition is going to be about. For one week the second level of CFAP will transfer to the gallery in an intensified form. The staff and students will all be there all the time,
making and discussing work, having seminars on critical and theoretical practice, screening films and video work – everything that normally happens on the course will be there, and visitors to the gallery are welcome to participate.
If anyone feels that a contemporary fine art course is mysterious or puzzling, here's a chance to find out exactly what goes on, and also to hear and meet some very special visiting speakers, including some well-known artists, critics and curators.
"As a critical course", said their spokesperson Johanna Stevenson, "we learn to question all the conventional habits of the art world. We didn’t just want to have a show of paintings and sculpture. This is one of the best fine art courses in the U.K. – two of our graduates have won the Turner Prize – yet many people don’t know what happens on a course like this. They probably think we do life drawing all day. So, for a week, the course – at least the second year of it – will be held in the gallery, rather than behind closed doors in the studios and lecture rooms, and visitors can join in."
From the 8th to the 12th of February, all aspects of the course will take place in the gallery: making work, reviews of work by staff and fellow students, lectures, seminars, tutorials, screenings of films and video. A specially-designed environment will be colour-coded to demonstrate how theory and practice interact throughout the three levels of the Honours Degree course. Past graduates, including the 2002 Turner Prize winner Keith Tyson, have been invited to come and talk about their experience after University. Also expected to attend are artists, critics, curators, collectors and writers. One guest is a Professor of Philosophy, demonstrating the breadth of disciplines covered in contemporary art education. Another is an Afro-Colombian sculptor, showing that art is one form of globalism that the students can welcome.
Says student Tim Smith, "It’s rather a daunting prospect to lay ourselves open like this, and no-one knows quite what the reaction of the public will be. But if it helps to reduce the mystery around modern art and art education, it will be worth it."
Of course the work of the students will be on show, but some of it will be completed – or perhaps not completed – while the exhibition is in progress, and comments and criticism from the public may influence how the work turns out. Some visitors might like to try their hand themselves, and risk critique, favourable or otherwise, from the students and staff. A timetable for the week is at present being finalised, and anyone who wants a copy should email "–ing" to cfapcfap@yahoo.co.uk Telephone information can be obtained on 01273 643097, or fax 01273 643012.
If you visit the University of Brighton Gallery from the 8th to the 12th February, the people of the Critical Fine Art Practice course will certainly be present, but hopefully not too tense!
