LUX Cornwall
From 18 March to 15 April 2016, LUX was in residence at the historic Porthmeor Studios in St Ives, which acted as a space for research, reflection and production as well as a base for its public programme. Over the course of four weeks, LUX re-centred its core activities in the region, delivering a programme of screenings, discussions, workshops, touring projects, and artist support and professional development initiatives that were specifically conceived in response to the Cornish context.
The residency programme aimed to map out a history of artists’ moving image practice in the region, considering what might constitute a Cornish tradition of visual culture through conversations with artists, venues and audiences. Working in collaboration with a network of partnering organisations across the region, LUX developed a touring film project that explored potential resonances with specific communities and places. Other highlights of the programme included a weekend of screenings and events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the London Film-Makers’ Co-operative – a primary organisation in LUX’s historical lineage – to introduce new audiences to key holdings within its collection. LUX’s educational and artist support programme included an introductory theoretical course on artists’ moving image; an analogue filmmaking workshop; a series of professional practice seminars and one-on-one feedback sessions for artists.
The residency has formed part of LUX’s ongoing initiative to operate as a UK-wide agency and to extend its reach to communities outside of London, where its main office is currently based. The residency provided an opportunity for LUX to explore the meaning and potential of the organisation’s work in supporting artists’ moving image practices in Cornwall, the circulation and presentation of such work, and the discourse around it. It will ultimately work towards establishing a legacy in the region in terms of ongoing networks and partnerships beyond the duration of the residency.
LUX’s residency at Tate St Ives was preceded by a week-long intensive workshop at Kestle Barton led by acclaimed British artist and filmmaker, Ben Rivers (b.1972, Somerset). The workshop formed part of the ongoing series of Cornwall Workshops organised by the Cornubian Arts & Science Trust (CAST) and was presented in partnership with LUX, Kestle Barton Trust and Tate St Ives.
LUX Cornwall’s screening programme was supported by Film Hub South West & West Midlands, part of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from the National Lottery. The professional development programme of LUX Cornwall was supported by the BFI’s Diversity Fund, awarding funds from the National Lottery.
More information on LUX Cornwall’s website.
