City Running
The concept has proved really interesting as a way of experiencing a city, attracting unconventional audience, and in providing a unique experience for the artists taking part.
How it Works
City Running Artistic Director, Rowena Easton, works closely with the host organisation to curate a group of artists from a range of practices and career levels.
On the night of the event, the City Runners gather at the host venue – a gallery or public space. After dark, they are given 3 hours to go out into the city (where they complete a reconnaissance, gather material or execute an interaction) and return to the venue and create a piece of work inspired by their experiences. They then present the work (live art/ photography/ music etc.) to their peers and a public audience. The work and its process are explained to the group and discussion is encouraged, looking at the relation of the artist’s work to the city.
This work then remains on display for the public to view, or revisit, in the gallery space, alongside information on City Running and film footage of the run. The work is also added to the City Running Website which hosts an archive of City Runs. Artists can be invited to give talks or workshops in the day time before or after the event.
Company Information
Inspired by Parkour, the Situationist's idea of 'La Derive', and the basic tenets of the Bauhaus, which encouraged cross-disciplinary work, City Running is a live, public, late night arts intervention where the city becomes a playground for the candid investigations of a group of artists.
The culmination of City Running is an exhibition of innovative art works, but first and foremost it is a working method that reveals and celebrates the creative process itself. It aims to promote a dialogue between the artists, the art, the audience and their urban environment. The process acts as a professional development for individuals to nurture creative networks within cities.
'City Running is not just a way of generating an exhibition of experimental work, it is a way of celebrating and reflecting each city's differences, championing its artistic community, and investigating current art practice.'
Greg Daville, Founder of City Running.
Artistic Director: Rowena Easton
www.cityrunning.org
City Running is supported by Arts Council England.
Booking information
To find out more about timescales, costings and production information, please e-mail:
info@artsagenda.co.uk