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RHWNT [ Download Word Doc 104k ] Performance art practice over the decades has often been predicated on the notion of meetings: contact and exchange. This process has lead to international networks of artists that form fluid amalgams and menaeouvres in and around existing art systems exemplified in dominant culture. Performance artworks often identified as time based or ephemeral activities are always temporary and often influenced by the place and the time in which they occur. As such they draw our attention to the very nature and process of art making and the connection or exchange made in the moment of the encounter. RHWNT, literally meaning 'Between' in Welsh, is offered as a significant encounter between artists, writers and teachers from different cultural backgrounds. It is through contact and exchange that these practitioners have affirmed a collective affirmation of similarity. The unique identity of Wales and it¹s language within the UK, the colonial legacy and contentious economies of exchange embedded in it's history has a significant correlation with Quebec. Furthermore the formation of performance art collectives, art run centres and initiatives is the foundation of much of contemporary artistic culture in Cardiff and Quebec City. RHWNT, organised as a collaborative exchange between Trace, Installaction Artspace in Cardiff and Le Lieu, Centre en Art Actuel, in Quebec will take place throughout 2003-2004. Both orgnisations were set up to explore intersections between artistic disciplines. Both artist run centres locate their discourse within the dissemination of contemporary art practice that seeks to place emphasis on context, process, network and exchange. Their focus can be interpreted as primarily performative - to explore the previously unconsidered ways of 'thinking' and 'doing' offered by time based art and work that emerges from this activity - performance, installation, sonic and interactive arts. Artistic directors of Trace; André Stitt & Le Lieu; Richard Martel, have selected emerging artists from both communities to present live and installed work in two major events. In October 2003 Quebec artists will be presented at Trace, Chapter
Arts Centre and specific sites in Cardiff. The event will be augmented
by two educational exchanges between Cardiff School of Art &
Design, Concordia University, Montreal and Cicoutimi University,
Quebec. A critic/writer from each city will also take part to create
a commentary on the event and to further contextualize the issues
and debates that arise from the meetings. RHWNT Welsh Programme Thursday 9th September Friday 10th September Saturday 11th September Sunday 12th September
Le Lieu, Centre en Art Actuel, 345 Rue du Pont,
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