In October 2015, Swiss based artist of Anglo- Chinese origin, Angela Lyn presented a new painting series in Shoreditch at Canvas Studios. Within the large open space of a former warehouse, the exhibition: building site, shed light on what evolves when different worlds meet and engage. The project included a collaborative event with Balbir Singh Dance Company and composer and musician Jesse Bannister.
The artist invites involved working with students from Rosetta Arts and Studio 3 in Barking, engaging them in a series of workshops connected to the event. The workshops initially took place online, from her studio facing Lake Lugano, on the southern border of Switzerland and later, in person at Rosetta Arts and Studio 3, and finally within the Shoreditch exhibition space. The scope of the workshops were to build and explore awareness of how we connect through art, particularly in a time where the commodification of culture threatens to take the upper hand.
As Angela wrote:
“As a Swiss based artist of Anglo- Chinese origin, my project is driven by an intrinsic cultural elasticity. A natural enquiry to communicate beyond the context of given boundaries. In the age of branding, and the Disney affiliated approach to experience, my central question as an artist is what does it take to engage people in an essentially human way, such that traces might remain upon which one can build; the thought being that culture is built from within.
What role can art play in how we perceive differences and similarities in a culturally complex world? What is it between people that makes them engage? What evokes willingness to give without getting? What makes people trust? Reaching people through art can be powerful. In my opinion, however, it only works when there is genuine interest. As an artist the engagement can start on an open plain, which I consider both a privilege and a responsibility.”
To further engage with the issues raised by the project, a discussion between Angela and Sanaz Amidi, president of the GeMBA2014 alumni of the IESE Business School and CEO of Rosetta Arts, brought together practitioners from various walks of life to meet in the exhibition building site. Together at the Long Table, in the company of the large paintings, guests congregated to share thoughts and ideas about what it takes – in our dense and fast paced world – to be touched on a meaningful human level. In questioning the role of art in today’s society, the discussions’ intent went beyond art per se and included contributions from those working in business, media, the education sector and the art world with the aim being less about answers, but to address sincere questions.
Contributors and questions to the day were:
What is the role of art in today’s society? Today, art and culture often overlap with the entertainment industry: why is this and is there a difference? – Pat Younge: former Creative Head at BBC
Today culture moves at a pace of consumption driven by trends that rapidly come and go. Is this pace sustainable? What might be a catalyst for change? – Michael Schindhelm, former Director of Berlin and Basel Theaters – Lecturer at ETH Zurich
What direction might the role of art and culture take for the next generation of young people facing the challenges of ecological disaster that they have inherited? – Jan Daley
In a world increasingly influenced by technology, will the essence of human expression fundamentally change, or is it essentially something that simply translates and adapts to changing scenarios? – Professor Sherrilyn Roush
