Questionnaire responses coming in...

The Spacemakers happened as part of D-AiR's 2010 performance programme, comprising of six Thursday evenings, generously supported by Hannah Maclure Centre

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I sent out some questions to get feedback on The Spacemakers...

I don't know what made me think I would get a sensible answer from this lot....

Has The Spacemaker's offered a different view of what is art and who can be an artist ?

What did you learn/ gain from the Spacemakers?

How many people can fit into a phone box.

What use, if any, might the Tagtool be to you in the future?

My life had no meaning before it.

What would you say has been the overriding impact of the Spacemakers project?

I can now call myself an artist without a hint of irony

Has the Spacemakers offered a different view of what is art and who can be an artist ?

Not really, but it did make me realise how much my own views on art, its presentation and the type of art I make has become institutionalised since coming to University. Rather worrying!

What did you learn/ gain from the Spacemakers?

That collaborating and talking with other artists is just as an important role in developing my thoughts and ideas as slogging away in a studio. I have also gained an insight into how being spontaneous, rather than overly planned can actually be just as successful, a lot more fun and creatively stimulating for sparking more developed ideas. Art that makes you and others smile is just as worthy as art that makes you question and think. (Also re-enforced my view that art is a tool that can help provoke change but its always nice to be smiling whilst you do it!)

What would you say has been the overriding impact of the Spacemakers project?

Overall I would probably say it had a big effect on removing the installed fear we all had of using unauthorised spaces in the city and the possible embarrassment. Making art about cultural or social issues is a lot more effective when it actually interacts beyond a white space that only people already stuck in the artworld generally see.

What did you learn/ gain from the Spacemakers?

Spacemakers has made me very aware of how vital it is for artists to integrate more with the local community and to involve & engage them with their work...Art should be more about communicating with people and less about image!

On the Tagtool

As for the Tagtool it is a wonderful tool which makes live art possible in a very dynamic and interactive way. Its been really nice to see how many different groups are interested in using it, from doing live drawings, to letting young children express themselves, and even helping people to learn and to break the barriers of more traditional art making...The Tagtool is definalty going to be a big hit in Dundee thanks to Ange :)

On the impact of The Spacemakers

The Spacemakers project has been really lovely...The group has been so friendly and we have supported one another in exploring our ideas and letting go in the city! We have discussed our views on life, society, capitalism, space and the way we observe this as artists & individuals. It has been especially wonderful how everybody in Spacemakers has come from different backgrounds, I feel this has been a vital part within our collective and has meant we have had very different influences and viewpoints which has given us a bigger perspective and understanding of the world and ourselves within it....