> ICIA (Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts)
> University of Bath Present:
>
> WHAT IS CULTURAL DIVERSITY?
>
> a special discussion between
> Eddie Chambers,
> Richard Hylton
> and Daniel Hinchcliffe
>
> http://www.bath.ac.uk/arts/visual-discussion.shtml
>
> Thursday 4 November, Venue: Bath Royal Literary and Scientific
Institution,
> 16-18 Queen Square, Bath
>
> In recent years much has been made of cultural diversity in Britain. Yet
> what precisely do we mean when we talk about cultural diversity? Is it the
> greater visibility of Black and Asian people in television programmes and
> commercials, or is it chicken tikka massala being described by Robin Cook
as
> symbolising modern day British culture? Whilst it seems that such
platitudes
> might typify a celebratory understanding of cultural diversity, could it
be
> that the current promotion of cultural diversity not only masks but more
> worryingly, contradicts the harsher realities faced by Black and Asian
> people in Britain today? From confronting various forms of racial
prejudice
> on a daily basis, be it in the work place or on the street, to the party
> political and media-driven demonising of British Asians as scapegoats for
> the 'war on terror'; it seems that celebratory notions of difference and
> diversity which have become an integral part of our so-called inclusive
> society are in need of desperate and critical examination.
>
> As part of its ongoing commitment to providing a platform for debate, ICIA
> will be hosting a special discussion, 'What is Cultural Diversity?'
Bringing
> together three curators Eddie Chambers, Richard Hylton and Daniel
> Hinchcliffe who will provide candid and engaging perspectives on
> contemporary British society. 'What is Cultural Diversity?' aims to
unravel
> the familiar but equally paradoxical concepts of inclusion, difference and
> belonging.
>
> This event coincides with ICIA's and Arts Council, London's on-going
support
> of research entitled 'The Nature of the Beast: Cultural Diversity and the
> Visual Arts Sector'; a study of policies, initiatives, and attitudes,
drawn
> together in an extensive report, researched and written by Richard Hylton.
>
> 'What is Cultural Diversity?' is organised in conjunction with the talks
> series 'This is How We Do It: Perspectives on Curating in Australia, India
> and Jamaica' (http://www.bath.ac.uk/arts/visual-talks.shtml).
>
>
> EDDIE CHAMBERS' career encompasses the roles of artist, curator,
archivist,
> writer
> and lecturer. Based in Bristol, he is now Research Fellow in Curating at
> London Metropolitan University and runs The Edward Wilmot Blyden
> Project. He has recently curated a number of exhibitions by artists such
as
> Denzil Forrester, Mildred Howard, Anthony Key, Eugene Palmer and Medina
> Hammad.
>
>
> RICHARD HYLTON is  the curator of Unit 2 Gallery, London Metropolitan
> University  and the forthcoming multi-site project,  Assembly 05 in Bath.
> Over the past fourteen years he has curated a wide range of exhibitions
> featuring artists from across Britain  and abroad. He has also edited a
> number of  publications and contributed essays and articles to a variety
of
> catalogues and journals, including Engage, Art Monthly and Third Text.
>
>
> DANIEL HINCHCLIFFE is Head of Visual Arts, at ICIA (Institute of
> Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts), University of Bath where he has
> curated artists' residencies, site-specific projects and exhibitions. In
the
> past he has collaborated with both Eddie Chambers and Richard Hylton.
>
> Thursday 4 November
>
> VENUE:BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath
>
> £3.00 / £1.50 concs
>
> BOOKING & info: [log in to unmask] 01225 386777 www.bath.ac.uk/arts
>
>
>
>