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BOSart 08
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‘BOSart 08’.
Sat on a hay bail, a chicken preening itself beside me, wondering exactly where I am (Bosigran: half way between Penzance and St Ives), surrounded by conceptual drawings and performance traces mounted on the walls of a barn, listening to an artist-led panel discussing performativity, respect of the land and an ancient rock formation known as Carn Galva. What is this thing: BOSart ’08?
When I left Paddington station for Penzance at 12:05 on the 25 September I knew this was going to be an artist led initiative with a difference, but this was nothing short of fabulous. I mean how many contemporary art forums involve camping with scheduled time ‘for exploring cliffs and coves’ and a communal atmosphere which sees those involved sat around a long hard wood table in a barn conversion talking over coffee and breakfast, or rambling along tacks to the ocean, swimming in the Atlantic and listening to seal song? I think we can all agree, not too many.
Throughout the weekend we were introduced to a handful of artists who had immersed themselves in this rural setting and to the issuing work they had produced as response. From conceptual drawing, painting and performance-to-camera through to site-responsive land art and the performative investigation of ‘bouldering’, the interdisciplinary spectrum of work and was vast. We were introduced to experimental methodologies and engaged in cross-disciplinary exchange, all the while, shockingly aware of the staggering natural beauty surrounding us. One of the key tenets of BOSart was to establish active and intimate, as well as sustainable, creative relationships with individuals and other structures and organisations. For me and I believe many other participants, this has been an absolute success.
Having left Bosigran and returned to my urban existence, I feel inspired and refreshed. I am questioning the London-centricity of so much contemporary practise and wondering how this may be ignoring the inspirational/creative potential of rural spaces and communities. I am also thinking about the notion of the artist as cultural agent and what abilities and responsibilities we have to lead or create non-traditional or new cultural projects and realities. Do artists have the potential to create and sustain micro-utopias? BOSart and the individuals I have met though this artist led initiative are making a good case for such potential.
Benjamin Chandler
First published: a-n.co.uk October 2008
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