Rocca Gutteridge

2011-12-18T08:53:00.000Z

I'm moving to Uganda...

32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust is a supportive network for contemporary visual arts in Uganda.

32° East recognises there is remarkable untapped and unfostered potential in the Uganda arts scene. Based in the capital Kampala, the Trust will provide artists with studio space and exhibition space, local and international workshops, residencies and artist-led outreach projects.

Through the encouragement of peer-to-peer dialogue and the formation of critical networks we aim to nurture, develop and raise the profile of Ugandan visual art to a national and international level.

For more info contact: rocca@ugandanartstrust.org

This weekend...

2011-10-28T17:49:00.001+01:00

DSC_0239, a photo by Rocca Gutteridge on Flickr.

The Mobile Picture Salon will be at the Huntly Hairst in Aberdeenshire- come on over for spooky movies in the snuggly wee machine.

The Goodman's Croft

2011-10-19T12:38:00.001+01:00

The Goodman's Croft, a set on Flickr.

Images of the brand new radio station and launch day (and night) here!

2011-10-13T10:25:00.001+01:00

Launch Party

Goodman's Croft Radio Lumsden

2011-09-19T12:58:00.002+01:00

In 17th century, and particularly in the northeast of Scotland, there was the widespread belief that a part of every field should be left untilled. This was based on a myth that if all the land was tilled by the farmer, the devil or the fairies would come back and take part of the crop or the precious cattle. This area left to the spirits was known as the Goodman’s Croft.

If you walk around Aberdeenshire 300 years later, you can still notice the parts of fields that remain untouched, some possibly being the legitimate descendants of the Goodman’s Croft. The superstition associated to this practice might have disappeared, but the metaphorical question can still remain: What are the areas that nowadays remain untouched in small rural communities?

Politics, social agendas and individual voices are one such area. Many of the critical decisions that impact upon rural communities have been deferred to the urban centres and institutions, while issues such as the decline of skill, poverty, climate change and anti-social behaviour remain untouched at a local level.

Goodman’s Croft: Radio Lumsden aims to dig up, lay bare and celebrate untilled voices of the Aberdeenshire community. Through the construction of a unique mobile radio station, artist Rocca Gutteridge and radio consultant Craig Priestley will explore how community radio can offer an important media voice for an otherwise disempowered conversation.

Follow us online with SSW's new blog!

For more information or to join in please call 01464 861372 or email intern@ssw.org.uk.

This project is supported by Awards For All Scotland.

Without Borders

2011-09-11T13:46:00.000+01:00

Without Borders by Rocca Gutteridge "Without Borders" A brand new podcast by Artachat and Clare Carswell from the UK Border WalkOn 6th August 2011 an Artachat discussion www.artachat.co.uk was held in the Romany town of Kirk Yetholm to discuss the effects of the recently implemented Points Based System on arts and cultural activities across our communities in the UK.This podcast, produced by Clare Carswell, documents the event.The track you can hear is by Canadian singer, Allison Crowe - Allison was deported from the UK and it is this track, "Immersed" that was uploaded to her website during the experience. www.allisoncrowe.com

Mobile Picture Salon

2011-09-07T13:50:00.001+01:00

Mobile Picture Salon, a set on Flickr.

The Mobile Picture Salon is back in action!

The Mobile Picture Salon is a small portable cinema housed in a disused caravan. Originally founded by Ewan Sinclair and Joanne Smithers the salon is currently facilitated by Rocca Gutteridge and aims to provide an opportunity for artists, curators and other people who love film, to programme and screen their own events.

The Mobile Picture Salon is currently accepting Proposals for programming and events. If you think you can use the Mobile Picture Salon for an existing event or you wish to set up a new event using the caravan please contact us to discuss it. We are open to all sorts of ideas and welcome innovative ways in which you can use our facilities.

roccagutteridge@yahoo.co.uk

This weekend...

2011-08-31T10:41:00.001+01:00

Let's Get Together

2011-08-22T13:28:00.000+01:00

NVA Witte Fietsenplan (White Bike Plan).

Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art 2010

Artachat and Robert Gordon University have joined forces to explore, critique and highlight the artistic landscape of Aberdeenshire.

Over the next six months we’ll be holding hold three Artachats in three distinct Aberdeenshire locations. Each session will invite diverse, knowledgeable and passionate speakers to act as catalysts for dialogue, debate and learning amongst an active audience wishing to participate in the future of the Arts in the North East of Scotland.

“Let’s get together…” draws a close eye on collaboration in Contemporary Art.

What do we really mean when we talk about collaboration? What are the social, economic, artistic and educational reasons for collaboration in Contemporary Art? Who do we collaborate with and how do we know when these collaborations are successful?

Angus Farquhar (NVA) and Peter McCaughey (WAVE, artist and lecturer) will open the debate, sharing their experiences and opinions of the field. Blane Johnson (former RGU student) and Deborah Beeson (The Mothers' Art Movement) will then subjectively discuss if collaboration is and isn’t working in Aberdeenshire.

We look forward to welcoming you at this upcoming Artachat discussion.

Lunch will be provided.

After the event there is the opportunity to travel to Deveron Arts, Huntly to view new work by internationally renowned Swiss Artist, Roman Signer and learn more about Writer in Residence Amy Fung's symposium “Who are we writing for?” who asks: “can we be both critical AND publicly accessible when it comes to discussing contemporary art?”

Places are free but limited so booking essential
For more info and to attend please email info@artachat.co.uk

UK Border Walk + Talk

2011-08-09T20:59:00.001+01:00

UK Border Walk + Talk, a set on Flickr.

A brilliant event, thank you to everyone involved- well attended, engaging active audience and speakers, some hard core walking and new Scottish action to change the Tier 5 Policy.
Podcast and a full write up to follow.

Framework

2011-07-30T08:50:00.000+01:00

Framework is a new curatorial research and development project.
web link

I’m very chuffed to have been invited to participate in Framework and last weekend attended:
Jan Verwoert- “Why this town is big enough for more of us” at Cove Park.

Jan-   “How do you value your practice?” “What resistances and obstacles do you encounter?”
Me-   "I value it when… when the creative process can be socially useful… I mean I don’t want to
          sound like a complete hippy but, erm, well there you go- I’m interested in art’s potential, well at
           least exploring it’s potential to be useful, socially useful…

           …and the obstacles?… well feeling like I’m a complete hippy"

A glance away and discussion on the roots of socially engaged practices, Labour, socialism, the failures the successes, then more discussion on the importance of discussion around the artwork then…

Jan-      “Right I’m going to return to you (pointing at me)… this term hippy…”

Jan is very good at pushing you, I’ve never felt so hot and embarrassed in a casual crit situation. He’s brilliantly direct yet charming and confidence enhancing. I needed the pushing, I now realise it has been a long time since I have been made to dig deep and really challenge, why and why and why.

The afternoon picked at (the ones that resonated most for me) artistic integrity, loosing and keeping curatorial values, institutional logic and the importance of interruptions, problems and processes of collaborative curating, transparency- how much and why. The key phrase I’ll use in my, wanting to be potentially useful practice is, “the gay uncle”. When you’re in a project, say for example with a group or youth kids and it’s your time to get out, (funding, contracts, pain) bring in the gay uncle as a distraction- the kids love him, they forget about you and you can leave, quietly through the back door.

Frameworks’ first session for me was the fantastic cliches: inspirational, mind expanding, invigorating. Hard work too. Cove Park was stunning, the artists in residence focused, friendly, thought-provoking.

Thank you very much Frameworks, the cobwebs of my brain are slowly being brushed away.

2011-07-28T21:50:00.003+01:00

I'm a blogger for Public Art Scotland- visit the blog, which documents some of the projects I witter away with HERE

2011-07-20T16:10:00.000+01:00

Images from the Steep Trail curated tour:

"As part of the two year long Steep Trail project, Polarcap held an Eco Lab event, beginning and ending at the Edinburgh Sculpture workshop. This was essentially a gathering of artists and scientists who’s interests and work lies in environmental issues coming together to discuss various causes, with the life and work of John Muir as a central topic.

The day began with a discussion and tour from the workshop to the John Muir Grove at the Botanic Gardens, led and curated by Rocca Gutteridge." More info- http://www.polarcap.org.uk/

The Huntly Art Reader

2011-07-04T12:10:00.000+01:00

I am currently curating eight weeks of the Huntly Art Reader

"Huntly Art Reader regularly discusses art theory and curatorial texts to contextualise the contemporary art practice offered in Huntly, Aberdeenshire. The town's vibrant arts scene provides the starting point for focused discussion and collaborative learning to enhance the quality and quantity of discursive and multidisciplinary thinking in the rural setting".

I'm using the eight HAR readings to compliment my residency at Deveron Arts where I am spending two months developng an extensive online resource on the many facets and aspects of walking.

The site will be launched in August- I will add a link to this site as soon as it's avaliable.

To see my choices and read the texts please click here:
http://huntlyartreader.weebly.com/archive.html

Happy reading!
Rocca

2011-06-24T10:31:00.001+01:00

Next weekend I'm curating a discussion and tour as part of the Steep Trail Project.
Steep Trail is a collaboration between Polar Cap, Fife Contemporary Arts and Crafts and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshops. More info here: http://www.polarcap.org.uk/

Start at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshops at 10am. Saturday 2nd July.

UK Border Walk

2011-06-04T17:21:00.010+01:00

6-7 August 2011

From Upsettlington to Hungry Law via Shid Law

UK Border Walk is a 77k walk along the English/Scottish border and an Artachat discussion in the Romany town of Kirk Yetholm halfway along the way.

Both walk and talk aim to highlight and discuss the effects the Points Based System (PBS) has for arts and cultural activities across our communities in the UK.

UK Border Talk: Sat 6^th August, 6pm

Wauchope Hall, Yetholm.

An open debate on the consequences of the PBS to UK cultural life.

UK Border Walk: Sunday 7 August, start 10 am

All are welcome to join Claudia and Rocca for all or part of the walk.

Please contact claudia@deveron-arts.com for more details.

What is PBS? In autumn 2008 the UK introduced a new points-based system (PBS) for managing migration to the UK. The regulations have led to a restriction of non-European artists’ ability to come to the UK, at the invitation of arts curators, promoters and artists. UK hosts are now required to be licensed sponsors if they wish to invite visiting artists. This has regulated the relationship between international artists and UK hosts from one of convivial artistic exchange, collaboration and cultural production to a contract which is excessively bureaucratic and treats international guest artists with suspicion and control. PBS has led to the cancellation of artists’ residencies, exhibitions, productions and performances across the UK. Many artists are refused visas, others are deported from UK airports because they were not sponsored.

For a full dossier of testimonials, petition to UK Government and media coverage visit the Manifesto Club’s website: www.manifestoclub.com/visitingartists

For more information on transport and booking the hostel contact: info@deveron-arts.com

UK Border Walk is a partnership between:

Deveron Arts, Artachat, artsadmin and the Manifesto Club

In collaboration with GASWORKS, Thami Mynyele Foundation and Edinburgh Arts Festival

www.deveron-arts.com www.artachat.com

Shared Territories

2011-05-11T13:18:00.002+01:00

Shared Territories- Recent News!

inspirExchange was a weekend long collaboration between Ugandan Breakdance troupe Tabu Flo and Muirehouse Music Group Shared Territories.

The project was produced by Rocca Gutteridge for the Mela Festival and supported by Creative Scotland, the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, Breakin Conventions, MYDG and North Edinburgh Arts

All photos by www.stephenmcgarry.org/

Walkachat

2011-04-12T11:40:00.002+01:00

Walkachat LATEST IMAGES!

New images from the latest Walkachat adventure

Walkachat - 2011 Progamme announced!

2011-03-26T09:53:00.001Z

Untitled, a photo by Rocca Gutteridge on Flickr.

Walkachat is a project that has sparked from a love of the Scottish wildness and working closely with the Socially Engaged arts initiative Deveron Arts.
Walkachat combines hill walking with (gentle) art critique and discussion.
So far we have held three Walkachats in stunning central Scotland locations. To see these walks please go to the Flickr site here:
web link
We can now announce our 2011 Programme!
If you are interested in any of the events PLEASE BOOK EARLY as the hostels fill up extremely quickly.

April 9th – 10th: Glen Etive (Hostel to be booked for 9th)
With a talk on “Cairne Bashing” by Anna Vermehren

May 28th – 30th: Poolewe (Hostel and tents to be booked)

July 15th – 17th: Glen Affric (SYHA to be booked for 15th and
16th)

August 19th – 21st: Loch Rannoch to Dalwhennie
(SYHA to be booked on 19th, tent on 20th)

October 8th – 9th: Crianlarrich hostel on 8th

For more information on Walkachat and to attend please contact:
If you are based in the North of Scotland: Claudia 01466-794494, claudia@deveron-arts.com
If you are based in the South: Rocca 07944773066, info@artachat.co.uk

A look to the future of the Arts in the North East of Scotland

2011-03-26T09:44:00.001Z

Last night we hosted the Artachat session:
“Oil, Neeps and Stony Ballads”
A look to the future of Arts in the North East of Scotland

The Artachat was set in the Empty Shop in Huntly and hosted in collaboration with Deveron Arts. It was a full house of 32 artists, organisation representatives and audiences from across Aberdeenshire.
Specifically invited speakers were:
Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland
Paul Harris, Head of School, Grays School of Art
Robert Livingstone, Director, Hi-Arts
and Carol Leathley, Arts Manager, Aberdeenshire Council

The goal for the evening was to both celebrate the current arts in Aberdeenshire and offer a look to the future. It has to be explained that the day before the Artachat was held letters from Aberdeenshire council were sent out to arts organisations explaining the current funding cuts that will be implemented in the forthcoming year.
Creative Scotland’s Corporate plan was also recently released. You can view it here:
web link

The Artachat began with a short introduction by Claudia Zeiske informally presenting some of the artists Deveron Arts has recently worked with. Norma Hunter is the current “Arts Visitor” (taken from the role of the health visitor), Wanja Kimani is the current artist in residence here to carry on the work of Congolese artist Baudouin Mouanda who unfortunately had to leave his residency due to visa problems. The introduction finished with a beautiful performance by singer Shona Donaldson and fiddler Paul Anderson.

After a delicious East African curry cooked by artist Daisy Williamson, I began the Artachat with a quick radio style interview session with Claudia and the four invited speakers. I asked them to introduce who they were, what they do and how they perceive the current contemporary arts scene in Aberdeenshire and give a brief look to the future. This was intended as a starting point and to get their voices heard before a more circular discussion began with a very engaged and articulate audience.

You can view the full write up of the evening by going Artachat's Public Art Scotland Blog here:

Click here to view the Public Art Scotland Artachat blog

Arts Research Uganda

2011-03-09T23:48:00.000Z

I have recenlty returned from a research trip to Uganda.

To view my research please click here:
http://artsuganda.blogspot.com/