"Finding Nowhere: On making place" is the third episode in The Gardens of Others podcast, a three part series exploring the ways in which people’s relationships with plant life and the land, serve as a microcosm of not only the concerns of contemporary political life, but also of the ways in which we might learn to live together. 

In this episode the South African artist collaborative MADEYOULOOK speaks to gardeners, activists, artists and writers of colour in Britain and South Africa about how communities of colour are disrupting unspoken assumptions of a general disassociation from nature. The speakers discuss the various ways in which people of colour are reimagining spaces to engage with plant life, and formulating ways of being in relationship with the land and with each other.

Podcast producers: MADEYOULOOK 

Contributors: Josina Calliste, Sui Searle, Ama Josephine Budge, Zakiya McKenzie, Carole Wright, Juliet Sargeant, Charles Nembhard, Navi Kaur, Mphathi Motha, Simangele Siko. 

Editors: Daniel Basckin and Andrei van Wyk. 

Thanks to: St. Anne’s Allotment, Garden Museum UK, Janine Nelson, Mo Cooper, Pandeani Liphosa and Ngilima Photography Archives.

This research residency is part of Here, There & Everywhere, a collaborative programme led by New Art Exchange with Delfina Foundation, Eastside Projects, QUAD/FORMAT, Primary, MAC and The Tetley, and funded by Ambition for Excellence (Arts Council England).

https://www.weareprimary.org/projects-archive/madeyoulook

Gardens of Others: Finding Nowhere - MADEYOULOOK

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives.
Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here.

In the second episode Nora speaks to London-based choreographer Holly Blakey, about breaking away from the field of contemporary dance, motherhood as an artist, choreographer-performer relationships, popular culture and value systems attached to it.

Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices.

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts.

Sound design: Urban Feral

Sound edit: Tom Harris

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance Conversations - Episode 2

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives. 

Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here. 

In the third episode Nora speaks to Italian choreographer Michele Rizzo about his route from dance to visual arts, working in museum settings, how he considers club culture in his works and the journey of the raver. 
How to listen: Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Ep.3 has been released on Soundcloud. 
Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices. 

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts.
 
Sound design: Urban Feral 
Sound edit: Tom Harris 

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance: Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Episode 3

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives. 

Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here. 

In the fourth episode Nora speaks to Naeem Dxvis - artist, curator co-founder of BBZ London - about the label queer, creating spaces and their curatorial methodologies in art and club spaces. 
 
Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices. 

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts. 

Sound design: Urban Feral 

Sound edit: Tom Harris 

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Episode 4

In July Nare Mokgotho of MADEYOULOOK collective and artist Zethu Maseko came together at Primary in the Edjardini structure to have a conversation about their overlapping practices. Nare and Zethu discussed how they understand the place of nature and land in their work.    

Johannesburg based artist Nare Mokgotho reflected on the origins and journey of the Ejaradini project and the South African iteration of the Landedness programme. Nare explored how collaboration feeds into developing a community of practice with others, both internationally and within more localised ecosystems. 

Zethu shared their reflections on co-producing a contemporary art commission, and working with an emerging community of Black and South Asian gardeners through the Landedness programme.

MADEYOULOOK is Molemo Moiloa and Nare Mokgotho. They take as their point of departure, everyday black practices that have either been historically overlooked or deemed inconsequential. Their work is directed towards a practice of socialities and relationalities that manifests in various forms, including inter-textual installations, gatherings, discursive programmes, research and publications. 

Zethu Maseko (London, UK) is an artist, researcher and cultural worker. She is currently based between South Africa and the UK. Her current practice focuses on tapestry and sound but has included performance, film and costume. Speakers: Nare Mokgotho of MADEYOULOOK and Zethu MasekoProject leads: Jade Foster Sound design: Tom Harris

This event is supported by the British Council Cultural Exchange programme, which assists cultural organisations, festivals, artists, and creatives between the countries of SSA and the UK to create art, build networks, collaborate and develop markets and share artists’ work with audiences.

Ejaradini Conversation - Zethu Maseko

Ejaradini Conversation - Nare Mokgotho

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives. 

Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here. 

In the fifth episode Nora speaks to dance historian Tom Hasting - about the long-standing relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts and current approaches from institutions.

How to listen: Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Ep.5 has been released on Soundcloud. 

Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices. 

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts. 

Sound design: Urban Feral 

Sound edit: Tom Harris 

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Ep. 5

British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie and UK-based curator, writer and producer Saziso Phiri share an informal in conversation. During September 2033 Nwando was in residence at Primary as part of our Work in Common series, that encourages artists to experiment with different ways of working – either testing out a speculative idea or developing new collaborations. Framed by Nwando’s expansive practice, Nwando and Saziso speak about new work developed during this residency period, exploring an intimacy with the land that expands on ideas of how to be a good ancestor.

Work in Common | Nwando Ebizie & Saziso Phiri in conversation

www.weareprimary.org
Primary creates an open environment for artistic research and production through the provision of studio and workshop spaces, and an innovative public programme.
Primary is located in a former primary school in Nottingham, UK.

Gardens of Others: Finding Nowhere - MADEYOULOOK

Primary

Related tracks