Studio Chongqing

The Studio Chongqing Symposium at the Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester, last Thursday presented a variety of examples of artists work and approaches communicating artists narratives of their time upon the Artist Residency in Chongqing, China.  The event was curated by artists Nina Chua and Jessica Longmore, who were in Residence at the 501 Artspace in Chongqing in November 2010.

Nicola Smith, opened the symposium with a welcoming performance, 'Come with Me', where she held a whirring fan towards the guests that spelled out the words 'come with me' in a neon light.  Smith humorously guided us through the lower education suite, dancing to music in a pseudo - Beyonce style, as she wiggled rhythmically whilst moving room dividers into place.  Another former Chongqing artist in residence, Sarah Sanders, presented a durational performance shifting sand from hand to hand for the entire symposium, whereby she stood within a side stairway, framed by a rectangular window.

David Hancock, the first artist in residence in Chongqing, and former Programme Coordinator at the Chinese Arts Centre talked about his experiences developing the programme, creating work within the 501 Artspace studios and curating an exhibition from the Chongqing artists work.

The experimental poet Philip Davenport, read from his blog and poems that he wrote whilst in China for three months.  Other concurrent exhibits, during the symposium included a filmed performance, 'Breathless' by artist and composer Sue Manchoulas, and audio and sketchbook pages from Hetain Patel.  The symposium concluded with a Question and Answer session with former artists in residence Ed Pien and Johannes Zits, who travelled together to Chongqing in April 2010, and a short presentation by the Chinese Arts Centre curator's Ying Kwok.

Thanks to Nina and Jessica for a very interesting and enjoyable afternoon, it was a great opportunity to meet former artists in residence and other artists going out this year.