Projects and case studies
Working with Ceramics Artist Keith Harrison and Napalm Death - Producing and Project Management
Moon, a public demonstration. Performance at the V&A Museum, April 2013, Keith Harrison.
Photo: Ruth Lloyd
Keith Harrison is a live artist who works predominantly with ceramics, but in unexpected ways. He explores this fascinating material by submitting it to electrical charge, heat and sound and making strong references to social history and class through his art performance.
Keith was appointed as the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) Ceramics Resident at the V&A from September 2012 – March 2013 while I was managing the V&A Residency Programme.
Working with Keith was going to be risky and a challenge in an institution such as the V&A with a priceless national collection and a responsibility to the safety of a broad public, but we were committed to representing Keith’s work as a leading ceramics artist at the museum, and to provide Keith with opportunities to push his creative practice, interpret the V&A collections in new and experimental ways through his art work and engage a new audience.
Lucie Rie Vs Grindcore, Keith Harrison, V&A Ceramics Resident 2012-13
Keith Harrison made a new piece of work as part of the V&A Residency that was in response to a collections case that contained a series of ceramic objects and studio equipment that had belonged to the world famous London based ceramics artist Lucie Rie (1902 – 1995).
Keith’s work subverted the display case, presenting a responsive piece of work that used grind core music played on pottery wheels. The Crafts Council of England used the film in touring exhibition that was arranged during Keith’s residency at the V&A.
Lucie Rie’s Studio display
V&A Images, Potting wheel, composed of wood and metal components, with cloth for protecting clothes attached with drawing pins, probably made in Austria ca. 1920-1937, used by Lucie Rie, London 1938-1995
V&A Object number – C.31-2009
www.collections.vam.ac.uk/item/01140190/potting-wheel/
Photo: V&A Images
Moon, a public demonstration, Keith Harrison, April 2013
A second performance for Keith Harrison during his residency was Moon, a public demonstration. The work was a live response to a set of drums and a jumpsuit owned and worn by the flamboyant drummer of the band The Who, Keith Moon who famously blew up a drum kit while performing the band’s hit ‘My generation’ on live television.
Keith cast a drum-kit from clay that was installed in the V&A’s Theatre and Performance Galleries for six weeks prior to a live performance which required heavy involvement from the organisation’s Health and Safety Officers and significant risk management.
Take a look at the film and see Keith Moon’s influence for yourself.
Keith Harrison and Napalm Death present BUSTLEHOLME
November 2013
My experience in project management and producing is broad, from small art installations and performances, community and participatory programmes, formal educational programmes, audience development projects, fixed interpretation and huge outdoor festivals.
I have a keen interest in developing digital resources for the public to maximize public engagement, participation and visitor reach.
Working closely with Keith Harrison during his residency at the V&A, we created a programme that supported audience engagement such as inviting online discussion, and participation in live performance while enhancing the work led by Keith and Napalm Death and attracted funding.
Although this project did not happen at the V&A, I worked closely with the staff at the De La Waar Pavilion to enable the project to happen there in November 2013.