FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Sculpture in the 21st century can mean many things. The possibilities of the medium in terms of form and materials are now almost boundless, but what is the place of sculpture in the 21st century? In an era which has seen government funding for the arts hit record lows, the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence in art and culture, the destruction of historic statues around the globe, and a crisis in art education, how do we now think about this medium that has been an integral part of human creativity for millennia?
For this one-day symposium at Messums West, we invited leading artists, writers, curators and critics to discuss modern and contemporary sculpture. In talks and panel discussions, we discovered the work of important sculptors of the last 100 years and considered issues such as the place of contemporary sculpture in our public spaces and institutions, the influence of new making practices and the impact of the climate crisis on the medium (and vice versa). Key to the discussions was a consideration of permanence and ephemerality in modern sculpture, and the importance of materiality.
Confirmed speakers: Kinetic sculptor Peter Logan (current exhibiting artist), curator Wilfrid Wright, director of collection and exhibitions at The Hepworth Wakefield, Laura Smith and sculptor Jacob van der Beugel.
On the day:
11:30 Coffee & Registration
11:55 Welcome & Introduction with Johnny Messum
12:00 Jacob van der Beugel ‘Sculpture and understanding scientific ambiguity’ – talk (35 min) + Q&A (15 min)
12:50 Lunch
13:50 Wilfrid Wright ‘Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within’ – talk (35 min) + Q&A (15 min)
14:40 Refreshment Break
14:55 Laura Smith ‘Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures’ – talk (35 min) + Q&A (15 min)
15:30 Refreshment Break
15:45 Peter Logan ‘Square Dance’ – talk (15min) + performance (10min)
16:10 Thanks & Goodbye with Wilfrid Wright
16:15 Informal Drinks
