Panel Statement
Panel: Travels Through Hyper-Liminality: Exploring the space where digital meets the real
LabCulture is a unique, dedicated Artists’ space for R&D where experimentation and exploration can take place. This paper will discuss the historical, conceptual and functional studio practice as an example of liminal space in action. Using examples of Artists’ process and practice, the paper will demonstrate LabCulture’s ‘birth’ and historical role as go between, the conceptual linkages between creative process and institutions, and the Lab’s physical/digital function. It posits that contemporary being and self-awareness is already distanced from ‘reality’, “falling through the cracks, in the interstices of social structure” (Turner). LabCulture is a viral structure. It pops up wherever favourable, often hosted by partner ‘organisms’. It is durational, temporary, capable of mutation. It occupies diverse spaces and situations. It offers physical and virtual platforms for meeting and action. It works at the interface between interdisciplinary practice, architecture and the environment. This paper aims to map the ‘neither here nor there’ of individual artist’s process and sensibility and offer it as a modus vivendi blueprint for the future.
- Julie Penfold has over 20 years experience of working across the arts and cultural sector leading and managing organisations, and delivering programmes. Since 1991 much of her work has taken place within artist led initiatives liaising at national, international, county and district levels. Julie was co-founder in 1996 of artist group PVA. She is the current project director and coordinator of PVA MediaLab overseeing, producing and facilitating process based, research-structured activity with artists whose practice spans many disciplines. She is instrumental in the support and development of artists and their work through the lab’s commissioning and bursary programmes. She is working on a variety of partnership projects, leading commissions and outreach programmes with AONB/South Dorset Ridgeway, Jurassic Coast Arts, B-Side Festival, Big Picture Consortium/Ex-Lab. Julie is the co-curator of a number of new media related events and exhibitions including: LabCulture Residencies; Coast to Coast Symposia; Universal Value Commissions; B-Side Festival; ReThink – ReThinkingTime [Substation Singapore]. Julie is a Director of LabCulture Ltd and is Dorset’s core contact for ALIAS Arts CIC. She represents PVA MediaLab at the Big Picture. pva.org.uk