Performance and Politics in the 1970s – documentation

Performance and Politics in the 1970s was a day of screenings, conversations and presentations which explored, recovered and communicated the history of performance art in London and the UK in the 1970s. Particular focus was given to the social and political environments in which experimental performance art emerged in the ‘70s. The event involved artists and arts organisations active at the time, as well as those making and facilitating work in the wake of these pioneers.

The day included a screening of William Raban’s film 72-82 (a history of art and performance at Acme Gallery, London), followed by a panel discussion with William Raban (Professor of Film at London College of Communication), and special guests; a conversation with Hilary Westlake and David Gale (Lumiere & Son); lectures by Naseem Khan, Anne Bean, and Marcia Farquhar; with a keynote by the historian Carolyn Steedman (Emeritus Professor of History, University of Warwick). 

Video documenation

This event forms part of a larger series of research activities on performance and politics in the 1970s organised by Dr. Dominic Johnson and Professor Nicholas Ridout, including two month-long artist residencies at major arts organisations in East London, in collaboration with the Department of Drama at QMUL. Anne Bean is currently based in the Foyle Reading Room at Whitechapel Gallery, and Marcia Farquhar is currently based in the Archive at Acme Studios.

The project takes place in collaboration between the Live Art Development Agency, the Department of Drama at Queen Mary University of London and Matt’s Gallery, and is funded by Queen Mary University of London.

Event details 

Performance and Politics in the 1970s
Zilkha Auditorium, Whitechapel Gallery, London
Saturday 30 May 2015
11.30 to 7pm
Buy day ticket: £15 (£12 concessions)