Spaces for Spaces: The Value of Space for Artistic Work
A first public conversation in a series working towards a framework of competing values for space for artistic work in the city, at Komplot, Brussels
13/09/2024, 13:30-16:30h
During this conversation, conceived as a workshop and facilitated by the Brussels Artist-run Network, we will discuss and imagine the value of artistic workspaces in an urban context. Spaces for artistic development and production are often invisible and undervalued in contrast to exhibition spaces. In cities where property prices are rising and rents are increasing, the value of physical space is often only perceived in financial terms.
Initiative: Jesse van Winden, Brussels Artist-Run Network
Facilitators: Ciel Grommen and Maximiliaan Royakkers, artistic intervention by Katinka De Jonge
What is at stake?
Space for artistic creation and development is a scarce commodity. Public attention to art often goes to museums and well-known institutions, which mainly function according to a logic of programming. At the scale of an artistic practice, presentations are crucial, but brief and often one-off. For development and production, there is less attention and less money. The ‘value’ of artistic production in the city is too little known. However, we do know that this value is certainly not only economic in nature.
Self-organised studio collectives and workplaces thrive on the networks that they constitute, and enable work synergy and collaboration through continuous, shared infrastructures. Personal relationships – so often undervalued – are at the heart of these support networks. Their value cannot be monetised, but their capital is paramount. Enduring relationships represent knowledge transfer, connection and affection. They give strength to cooperation.
For such relationships and networks to exist and be fruitful, infrastructure is needed. An infrastructure can consist of physical spaces, meetings, or virtual platforms, but always requires time spent together. When infrastructure is in place to support this potential synergy, a creative community and its members can fulfil what otherwise remains only imaginable. Yet physical space also always means immediate real estate – the ‘value’ of which is often understood primarily in financial terms.
Many of the spaces for artistic production in Brussels have no financial backing whatsoever. They are managed collectively and pragmatically on basis of the need for a studio. There is often ‘space’ but rarely ‘place’ (as the cultural policy plan in Anderlecht distinguishes between physical and mental space) for programmes and activities (presentation, networking, reflection, participation).
Of many such places, the stay is only assured for two to four years. This is because they regularly rely on the real estate logic of ‘temporary use’, which seems to have slowly become the ubiquitous solution. But ‘temporary use’ is a problematic concept. As a preconceived plan, it pushes monetary value for property owners and developers. At the same time, it abuses individuals and collectives, reinforces precarity, alienates citizens and incites gentrification and speculation.
Affordable temporary spaces almost always depend on renovations to use them – for too short a period of time. Such operations consume personal time, collective efforts and precious budgets of artists already working in precarious situations. Yet, after a significant investment (or perhaps even: waste) of time, energy and money, these workspaces led to a certain eviction barely a few years later.
The popularity of ‘temporary use’ and pop-up venues gives both artists and policymakers only an apparent solution. This exhausting cycle cannot be part of a sustainable normality. We suggest abandoning this model of temporary venues for artists and other art workers. Social needs abound and we want to stress that we do not believe that culture should take precedence over social housing. Artist communities are socially conscious and organise their practice in collectivity. This creates solidarity: a much-needed trait among citizens. What is suitable for housing should remain (social) housing. But empty offices and industrial buildings can and should serve as valuable spaces for cultural and socio-cultural initiatives.
We want to look for longer-term solutions together, and formulate visions in consultation with a multitude of actors. We can already imagine government bodies implementing policies that secure real estate for non-profit use, for instance for artists who are currently active.
Practical
13:30-16:30h Public talk ‘Spaces for Spaces: The Value of Space for Artistic Work’ by the Brussels Artist-run Network
Location: Komplot – Place du Conseil 4, 1070 Anderlecht
20h Networking drinks at Tictac Art Centre – Rue Emile Carpentier 34, 1070 Anderlecht
Participation: for free and no registration is required
Language: English
Part of Art Anderlecht, part of The Art Anderlecht Visitors Programme organised by Flanders Arts Institute and the Art Anderlecht network.
Many thanks to the Anderlecht Cultural Service for the support!
Visitors Programme
The Art Anderlecht Visitors Programme is organised by Flanders Arts Institute and the Art Anderlecht network. This programme takes place in Anderlecht, one of the most culturally and socio-economically diverse neighbourhoods with a thriving art community in Brussels.
Flanders Arts Institute has invited a group of international professionals. They will take part in a visitors programme from 12 to 14 September. On 13 September, there will be a public talk and a networking drink in the evening, also open to Flemish artists.
International guests
The international guests are from different parts of Europe and are all closely involved in the support of artists through their positions as artists or arts workers:
Najia Bagi – Curator at The Mosaic Rooms, Londen
Andreas Ribbung – Artist, co-founder and creative director at SUPERMARKET: Stockholm Independent Art Fair, co-founder of the Artist-Run Network Europe, Stockholm
Tüten Akay – Artist Liaison at BüroSarıgedik, Istanbul
Nouha Ben Yebdri – Curator, founder and director of Mahal art space, Tangier
Chris Biddlecombe – Artist and co-founder of the Scottish Artist Union, Glasgow
Sabrina Henry – Curator at CCA Glasgow
Marenka Krasomil – Independent curator, Berlin/Barcelona
Rabab Ghazoul – Artist, curator and facilitator at gentle/radical, Cardiff