When I received an artist submission invite from Leeds-based DIY art collective, Black Dogs, for their upcoming Next to Nothing exhibition, I thought there had been some mistake. Sure, I’ve tagged along to a couple of ‘meetings’ (post-work pint at Nation of Shopkeepers), and argued with James Hill (of Light Night fame) about Marxism, but I’m no artist.
Sooooo what is an artist, anyway? What, indeed, is art? Is it simply something that is created by someone who calls themselves an artist? Or is it something that someone else is willing to pay for? It’s questions like this (and many others) that Black Dogs has always had a great deal of fun exploring and exploding.
In opening up Next to Nothing contributions to friends, artists, and friends who do not think they are artists, Black Dogs has again blurred the boundaries that are often assumed to be in place in the arts world, as well as the boundaries of Black Dogs itself (themselves?).
The result of a series of meetings and conversations around notions of value, Next to Nothing showcases contributions from over thirty individuals and collectives. The backdrop to these discussions has included state-enforced austerity measures and global financial crises alongside instances of rioting and looting. Whilst the exhibition avoids directly addressing or representing such issues, they undoubtedly provide context and resonance for the various works and projects, made all the more poignant by their location in a shopping centre.
In an impressive empty unit in The Light, tucked away round the corner from the cinema, you will find sculpture made from scrap, unmasked secrets of visual merchandising, advice on how to be a good shopper, a freely assembled Arcade Machine, traces of ‘everyday resistance’ at work, a homemade Mellotron, unrealised tattoos, reflections on sustaining an art practice when unpaid, and much more in the way of hand printing, diagrams, photography, objects, video and performance.
Come and see for yourself what questions are raised and what answers you can find. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up you FREE collaborative fanzine (I’ve had a sneaky peek – it looks fantastic!).
And with a whetted appetite, you’ll no doubt also want to check the Black Dogs website for details on the additional programme of accompanying events, which includes evenings of music, performance and films held on and offsite.
Next to Nothing: An exhibition on the price of nothing and the value of everything
15th September – 1st October 2011
The Light (top floor), Leeds City Centre
Next To Nothing opens on Thursday 15th September at 5pm. All are welcome and refreshments will be available. There is a post-opening party and gig featuring Picore from Spain amongst other acts from the DIY (not-for-profit) music community held at Wharf Chambers club for members and their guests*.
The exhibition continues Monday to Friday 4 – 7pm and Saturdays 12 – 6pm until 1st October. Entry is Free.
*Wharf Chambers CC is a members’ club – you need to be a member or guest of a member in order to attend an event here. To become a member, visit the Wharf Chambers website or there are forms in the building you can fill in. Membership costs £1 and you can become a member at this event.
Photo (below) by Charlotte A Morgan, taken from the Next to Nothing contributory fanzine (available FREE from the exhibition).
