Alex came armed with a large soup pan, some basic ingredients sourced on the day and route of her travel from Glasgow to Manchester, and a keen appetite to hear more from the participants about their own backgrounds and interest in all things 'Life Friendly'.
Using the activity of cooking, sharing and eating of soup, the group were relaxed into an open discussion about sourcing food and the memories that communal eating encourages. I found myself starting to discuss my choice of parsnips as a preferred vegetable for soup but within 20minutes then found myself discussing the moral role artists play within socially engaged arts practice. It does indeed seem that finding some common and comforting ground (in this case through the action of eating soup together) can spur on some serious debate and (forgive the pun) food for thought for pertinent issues around sustainability and the way we work and live (artist or otherwise).
We were particularly lucky to have three artists in the room, who have all worked with a socially engaged practice focus, and or worked predominantly with community groups. And sat beside them were three members of staff from the local Chinese Wai Yin community group, who initially came to the event because they were intrigued by an art event that included serving soup! What emerged from this group of individuals collectively was the issue of artists working with groups and communities and what roles that artist has during but more over after the 'art project' has finished.
In terms of the well being aspect of the Life Friendly term, I found this particularly interesting. As an artist myself whose work is often preoccupied by human nature and the way we react socially to each other as groups, most of my work therefore includes working specifically as an artist in residence with a community group of some sort. But what short term and long term roles do I play within that community? And what responsibility do I have to the group as a visitor, outside, facilitator, potential community member???
Alex recorded the whole session of our group discussion and we will be sharing the audio as part of a forthcoming e-publication to culminate the findings of our Life Friendly sessions - so watch this space for more info.
In the mean time you can find out more about Alex's work at http://www.axisweb.org/seCVPG.aspx?ARTISTID=15845
Alex, the group and the all important soup...
