The next 2nd Wednesday meeting:

Wednesday, 11 February 2004, at 7.30pm

Chapter Arts Centre – room to be confirmed (ask at box office)

will feature a presentation by

Andre Stitt (Cardiff) on his 'BEDFORD PROJECT’.

The Bedford project consisted of a series of eight live art performances in
Bedford town and the surrounding rural areas, carried out over the span of a
year. These performances were conceptualized in direct response to the town's
own unique society and culture. Many of you will be aware of the project because
of the tabloid frenzy it created – the presentation will be a chance to find
out more about the aesthetic, conceptual and political issues behind the work.
For more information on the project see below.

Hope you can join us.

And please put the following in your diaries:
In March we will welcome a special guest to the 2nd Wednesday group:
Internationally acclaimed artist Stuart Brisley, doyen of the British
performance art scene, will read from his latest book, ‘Ordure’ (10.3.,
NOTE: time
7.00pm)
In collaboration with trace: installaction artspace and Chapter.

Heike


The Bedford Project
Andre Stitt
2003

Over the last year Wales-based performance artist Andre Stitt performed a
series of eight live art performances in Bedford town and the surrounding rural
areas. These performances were in direct response to the town's own unique
society and culture. Each of the performances was recorded using photography and
film. The film footage has been edited together into a short film documenting
the project.

The work included, amongst others:
The Italian Job, a live art work produced in partnership with the Italian
Vice-Consulate and Hanson Brick Ltd, Stewartby. This performance was a
celebration of Bedford’s large Italian Community in recognition of its huge
contribution
to the economy of Bedford through the brick industry.
In celebration of one of the country’s most recognised secular festivals,
Stitt performed the light-hearted I Love You, during which he paraded through
the
town centre with placards handing out badges printed with the timeless “three
little words”, I Love You.
Perhaps most poignant of all the performances was the one made in homage to
Glenn Miller, Missing. The artist commemorated the tragic demise and last
flight of Glenn Miller, JSR Morgan and Norman Baesell with a fly-by at Twinwoods
Airfield where he dropped three carnations from an aeroplane.
White Trash Curry Kick was cancelled amidst much media coverage and
controversy. This performance was intended as a critical commentary on the
behaviour of
certain people in town centres all over the country on Friday and Saturday
nights.