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Masters students to perform live exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery
The seven students, who are all studying for a Masters in Performance, will perform solo and collective actions inspired by Beuys’ creative and political life.
Leeds Beckett Honorary Doctor of Arts, Richard Demarco, will watch the performances, which will take place in the foyer of Leeds Art Gallery on Friday 19 January between 2.30-4pm.
Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts, Gillian Dyson, said: “I have been excited by the way the students have responded to this research project. Working with Leeds Art Gallery has enriched their learning and professional development. This project has been a fantastic introduction to Leeds and to our Masters programme.
“Joseph Beuys’ work has had a major role to play in the importance of live art practice. The performing art students have found intriguing ways to respond to his works, which in turn has enabled them to explore their own identities.”
Richard Demarco
Students will be working with sculptural objects, audio of Beuys’ lectures, organic materials and in live gesture to explore a sense of presence through body, space and object.
“It has been a pleasure to bring performance art to the exhibition, and to remind us of the importance of ‘the live’ to Beuys and artists of today as socially engaged, commodity-less and dialogic artistic practice,” added Gillian.
“I hope that gallery visitors will find our work a fitting tribute to Beuys as we re-embody his connection with Leeds.”
Richard Demarco was instrumental in curating Beuys’ work and introducing him to Britain in the 1970’s. He will be reflecting on his experiences of working with Beuys at the forthcoming conference Joseph Beuys and Europe: Crossing Boarders, Bridging Histories, at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds city centre on Saturday 20 January.