This year sees artist-led organisation SPACE Studios celebrate their 50 year anniversary. As well as their current archive display (SPACE Mare St, London, on now until 13 April 2018) they are publishing a new book: Artists in the City: SPACE in ’68 and Beyond.
SPACE was originally set up by Bridget Riley, Peter Sedgley and Peter Townsend, and this new book looks at its early history. It starts by showing how the idea for using huge, deserted buildings as much-needed artists’ studios came about. It then goes on to explore how SPACE emerged to become an effective creative agent, working closely with local authorities and property landlords to enable artists to work in an economically viable environment. This proved an innovative artist initiative, one that became a highly influential and much copied model around the world.
Looking to the future, the book also compares 1960s London with today’s studio opportunities and asks what has changed and what has remained the same for artists.
There are a few tie-in events that SPACE have organised to help celebrate and promote this title that we’d like to highlight below:
On Sat 17 March, 3 – 5pm, there is a book launch event at SPACE Mare Street. Then on 22 March (7pm) there is a panel discussion at the Whitechapel, London. Entitled, Making SPACE: Artist-Led Initiatives Now it will explore how emerging artists can make their own space in big cities. Well worth popping along with tickets priced at just £5/£3.50. See this link for more information.
To join in this important celebration and to mark the publication of this interesting new title we have identified some books that specifically feature SPACE artists, or have a strong connection with what SPACE studios is all about.
For example, did you know that our international bestseller, You Are Here: Art After the Internet is now on its 3rd reprint and was a co-publication between SPACE and HOME Manchester? With many of the artists featured being part of SPACE’s Art + Technology residency programme, this one is well worth a read. We’re pleased to say that for our US trade customers ordering this title just got much easier as the book has just started being distributed over the pond by DAP.
If the subject area covered in SPACE’s Artists in the City is a particular pull and you want to explore artists’ spaces in even more depth then do also have a gander at JRP Ringier’s Artist-Run Spaces, or Paul Winstanley’s Art School. Both have an interesting stance, with Winstanley asking questions about the art school system, and the role of undergraduate artist studios in particular.
You may already know that pioneer of minimalist sculpture Rasheed Araeen was an early SPACE tenant. He currently has a retrospective international touring show, and we have the book that goes alongside. Meanwhile current SPACE tenants include the likes of Lisson Gallery artist Ryan Gander, plus Karsten Schubert’s artist Alison Wilding, as well as Mauritius-born Shiraz Bayjoo.
Finally, you may also be unaware that a Bloomberg New Contemporaries Studio bursary award is hosted by SPACE, thus showing their active dedication in supporting early career contemporary artists. New Contemporaries was established in 1949, organising an annual exhibition they showcase the work of newly emerging artists. See their books here.
We’re really pleased to be working with SPACE studios again, particularly on this interesting new title, and hope to be distributing their future publications too. So do watch this space!
photo-credit: Artist photographing inflatable at St Katharine Docks. Photo: © Douglas Smith, 1968-1970