Warwick Tate Exchange

We were delighted to have three of our public engagement projects feature as part of Warwick’s week at Tate Exchange at Tate Modern, London, in June 2018, around the provocation, The Production of Truth, Justice and History.

We are told we are in the age of ‘post-truth’. But when has the truth ever been simple? Does everyone agree what is just? Can more than one version of history exist? How do we come to believe any of these notions are stable?

Between 12-17 June 2018 we exhibited a photographic display from Past Time, our project with Rideout at HMP Hewell, examining the history of food in prison, and launched our audio installations with Fuel, Lock Her Up, exploring aspects of female incarceration. Both exhibits were accompanied by a ticketed panel discussion. We also presented displays on women’s  health and maternity and women’s experiences of Holloway Prison.

We had a one-off showing of a film of our play, Disorder Contained: A theatrical examination of madness, prison and solitary confinement, accompanied by a panel discussion, and Dr Rachel Bennett gave a Ten Minute Talk on a contemporary artwork that related to her research project.

We were also delighted to host three Coventry schools for an afternoon showing of Disorder Contained, supported by Warwick Art Centre’s Creative Learning team and followed up by activities and the opportunity to view the rest of the displays.

Our involvement in Tate Exchange gave us an exciting opportunity to present our research and collaborations with our arts partners and an unprecedented opportunity to engage with visitors, and it was a thrill to do so at the Tate! The launch of Lock Her Up, with the three audio pieces exploring the themes of women’s experiences of maternity, solitary confinement and agency in prison, gave us the chance to discuss the project, often in detail, with visitors, including many from overseas. In doing so, we met with individuals who had much experience of working in prison systems in different contexts. Several people told us that they had never considered these issues previously, but now they had listened to the audios they would not forget the women’s experiences.

Feedback described the pieces as ‘extraordinary’, ‘powerful + immensely interesting, an extremely unique experience’, and ‘something to reflect on for days’.

An independent evaluation report on Warwick’s Tate Exchange, including further responses to our projects, is available. The report commented that the ‘collaboration between the project “The history of prison health” and Fuel Theatre was in many ways exemplary of a streamlined articulation between two partners that are experienced in this kind of translation work’.     You can also read about our reflections on our week in the Tate.

Programme of activities

Warwick Tate Exchange 12-17 June 2018 (open daily 12-6pm)

Free entry, some events are bookable.

• Past Time photographic display 12-17 June. Panel discussion Weds 13 June 4.15-5pm. Book your free ticket here
• Lock Her Up installation 12-17 June. Panel discussion Fri 15 June 12.15-1pm. Book your free ticket here
• Disorder Contained and Panel Discussion Weds 13 June 2.15-3.45pm. Book your free ticket here
• Friday 15 June 130pm: Dr Rachel Bennett Ten Minute Talk.George Condo, L’Amour, Room: George Condo, Level 4 Recent Acquisitions. No booking required, just turn up at the artwork!