Document: Critday

September saw our Document artists launch #critday. Between 23rd and 29th September 2017 each of the artists instigated a crit within their studio groups or at a nearby venue in order to encourage the networking and peer to peer learning that can happen by way of this most valuable of activities.

Crits took place at NN Contemporary Art (Northampton), studioName (Leicester), [gP] (Lincoln), QUAD (Derby), Haarlem Artspace (Wirksworth) and Backlit (Nottingham). Here are photos from some of the events and some reflections from the artists.

 

NN Contemporary Art, Northampton

“I began this particular meeting by telling the group they had inspired a region-wide #critday event, since I never shut up about their importance to my practice during Document meetings and events.” Jessica Harby

QUAD, Derby

“I was very pleased at how varied, detailed and rich the conversations were. We talked about individual practice and projects, but increasingly – and perhaps due to the presence of some of the key players in the city’s visual arts culture – we talked about the profile of visual arts in Derby itself and what we could do – as artists and organisations – to act upon this first event which all agreed had been positive and inspiring.” Tim Shore

 

Haarlem Artspace, Wirksworth

“Although we know each other well and work in close proximity we hadn’t really connected the similarities in our practices, there are lots of interesting overlaps, which could lead to joint exhibitions or further collaborations. It was through the critical space and need to verbalise and articulate ideas that we might take for granted in our own work and being open to how others see and interpret things within our practice that shed new light on what we’ve independently been doing.” Geoff Litherland

 

Backlit, Nottingham

“There was an overall feel of inclusivity, with the individually-expressed fears of crit sessions alleviated due to the relaxed atmosphere and small group discussions. It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to other artists from the region, and to see a wide variety of artistic processes, mediums and techniques, as well as to reflect on your own position and place within this.” Tracey Kershaw

 

StudionAme, Leicester

“It was a very good exchange and there was mutual respect for each other’s work. It was very helpful to talk about our ideas to a near stranger, who has no previous understanding of our work. We were forced to explain the ideas concisely, which was a very important exercise for us.” Kajal Nisha Patel

Andrew Bracey summed up #critday at General Practice, Lincoln as:

“#critday #CVANEM #GeneralPractice #Lincoln #GP #AndrewBracey #RossOliver #MichelleForrest-Beckett #NathanBaxter #LeanneDavidson-Watt #RobBritt #BetweenStudios #SoInPub #TapandSpile #EveryoneTalks #AboutTheirWork #PeakDistrict #WhiteScreen #Nature/Sci-Fi #NewCommission #Drawings #Books #BubbleWrapChaosUnwrapping #TakeTheWorkInDirectionsYouHaveNotThoughtOf #WhyWouldIDoThat? #Pride #Intuitive #Planned #Time #NotEnoughTime #Deadlines #LettingGoOfControl #BeerRedWine #I’llGetThem #NonGallerySpaces #TennagersDestroyingSculpture #ActaullyTurnedItIntoSomethingElse #SomethingUnplanned #TheyRe-builtIt #GrandfatherClockDeviceinThor’sCave #WhyNotTryThat? #ThatIsReallyGood #Deadlines #TooMuchOn #NeedTimeForMaking #ForSpeculating #NewStudioSpaceSoon #Testing #WhyNotGetOthersInvolved? #AnotherRound? #IHaveBeenMakingTheseNewCollages #WhatDoYouThink? #ISeeAConnectionsWith(InsertName)Work #CollaborationIsKey #IWishIHadThoughtOfHavingAPseudonymWhenIStartedMakingThisWork #OnePersonAtATime #WeShouldDoThisEveryMonth #KeepItSimple #CheersCVANEM #IsItAboutGPOnlyOrCouldOthersBeInvolved?”

 

Our Document artists are: Andrew BraceyGeoff Litherland, Jessica Harby, Kajal Nisha Patel, Tim Shore and Tracey Kershaw.

To mark the occasion the artists produced a #critday manifesto, a set of principles they believe every good crit should uphold. Use the manifesto.