By Becky Lyon and Hannah Pratt, MA Art and Science, CSM
Funded by the Post-Grad Community Project Fund
With a background in exhibition production (Hannah) and creative project management (Becky) we both entered the project somewhat primed. However, realising the exhibition generated new experiences and learning opportunities.
Here’s are our Top 3
#1
On Artist Selection: Tell the Best Story
After setting the scene of the exhibition theme, an open call invited exhibitors from across the planet to share their interpretations of a “cosmic perspective”. What started out as a target of 25 exhibitors, rapidly doubled to….50.
A big theme warrants a big show. This was Lumen’s biggest show to date and a testament to the collective’s primary motivation to first and foremost support great work, and tell the best and most well-rounded story as possible with each exhibition.
The final exhibitors comprised a multidisciplinary edit of ceramicists and creative technologists, painters and glass blowers, light artists and sound artists, multimedia artists and sculptors generated the richest possible realisation of the exhibition ranging from the representational to the abstract, literal and conceptual.
#2
On Production: A team effort and the power of planning
As with any event, producing the exhibition was a considerable, voluntary team effort, especially for a show of this scale. Planning and open-source tools become your biggest ally alongside the ability to problem-solve on your feet – there’s always a solution!
During install, it was useful to see an agile approach to the curation process with a balance of managing artist requirements, responding to the space as it unfolds and working within the constraints of the venue.
The project was well-resourced in terms of team, a generously-sized venue and a budget allocation, supported by UAL Postgraduate Funding as well as exhibiting artists to ensure a professional production.
#3
On Promotion: The exhibition is only the beginning
Running 26th and 27th May with a private view on the evening of the 25th, these exhibitions are always bittersweet projects lasting a a fraction of the time they deserve. However, the exhibition isn’t confined by the walls of the exhibition venues – it amplifies through other platforms as well as the stories of visitors.
The motivation of the exhibition was to start a new conversation so alongside 750+ physical visitors, the exhibition was supported by a limited edition zine featuring each artist, created by artist Sarah Bissel as well as a programme of social media outreach via our partners and networks. The legacy of the exhibition will also exist through film and photography.
Find out more about what happened at Cosmic Perceptions on their blog: http://cosmicperspectives.myblog.arts.ac.uk/
Find out more about the Post-Grad Community Project Fund