The LIFE group and The Spacemakers

Generally at the start of the week I support Alistair (library worker Science & Business) who runs a weekly support group called LIFE for people recovering from problems of drug and alcohol abuse. The group produces it's own newsletter Oor Paper, Oor Stories to help people understand what kind of life experiences members are struggling with...

I've met with Philip Malcolm the AXIS project worker (who refers members to the group) and Alistair to tailor a series of entertaining presentations relating to the shared experiences of participants in the group. Each session introduces a set of art linked a particular theme, such as 'rules and containment in contemporary society'.

I've included contemporary work by a variety of artists working on the international scene. Group members have been enthusiastic to talk about the questions and issues raised in relation to their own experiences. Of course not only is this new to the group participants but also introduces the workers to a body of arts work relating to the issues that link into their practice. Word got around at the Axis project and last time we met we were joined by support worker Linda Thomson. Linda also volunteers for the Vice-Versa project ( which aims to tackle street prostitution).

If this sort of thing interests you and you'd like to broaden your thinking on what can be art and who can be an artist you might be interested in a series of six Thursday evenings I'm running between 20 May -24 June called The Spacemakers - Celebrating the Art of Urban Subversion at the Hannah Maclure centre.

This is organised by D-AiR ( Dundee Artists in Residence) it's free and open to the public, but places are limited and you'll need to book a place in advance. Either come and find me in Science and Business or check out the D-AiR website if you'd like to know more.

Five Priorities

On average I'm spending 10-14 days each month in Dundee, I'm based in the Science and Business department at the Central Library

The premise of the Nine Trades project is to de-mystify the publics preconceptions of who can be an artist and what art is, widening access to the arts, opening the doors to the arts for more people.

Here are five priorities I have made for my work at the Central Library...

• To support the library staff in their ongoing work with vulnerable groups including liaising with related voluntary sector projects in the city e.g Grey Lodge, Axis.
• To promote the use of Tagtool* within Dundee.
• Install dedicated Tagtool equipment at the library and train staff interested in using of Tagtool.
• Liaise with artists and key players in the community interested in working with the Tagtool.
• To challenge preconceptions of who can be an artist and what art is.... widening access to the arts.

*TAGTOOL - a live performance instrument for drawing and animation developed as an open source project by developers in Austria.

I want to check out your books....

Here's one especially for the librarian's

4 minutes and 10 seconds of librarian fantasy from Haunted Love,a “gothic/country/pop” duo from New Zealand

Science and Business department

Maths, chemistry, physics, astronomy, science (not biology!), law, management, design, typography, photography, architecture, periodicals, directories, phone books, EU info, gardening, DIY, computing, economics, business..... and 26 PC's with wireless internet available.

LINK:

Sakura Adachi's Cave bookshelf

Meanwhile.... in the murder/mystery section...

Once upon a time...... in the library

I've started to recognise some of the locals and noticed a few people are regulary spending all day in the library ( I've become one of them). I can see the attraction, the heating is on, it's dry and no one tries to sell you anything. In these wintery economic times the Central library is a place of respite for many a Dundonian. What has struck me since I have been here is that inequality and disadvantage dominates a lot of the library users existence. Despite Dundee having been the focus of substantial investment, the ‘trickle down’ effect appears to have impacted little, as low wages and part-time employment can create similar effects as unemployment itself.

Image : Dina Goldstein

I personally can't say enough good things about the library. The best thing is it gets you away from home ( if you have one) it offers a place to hang out. It's popular, there are always people wanting to access the Internet (for free). It routinely offers all sorts of events for children and adults alike, and has special multipurpose spaces for music, children’s activities, visiting speakers and creates supportive environments for vulnerable users.

It's a place of escape, and if you really want a distraction ...you can always get lost in a book*.

*DISCLAIMER We can't promise it will magic away disadvantage, discrimination, abuse and poverty in your life but it might offer a welcome distraction.

LINKS:

Dina Goldstein's Fallen Princesses

Dundee Central Library Facebook page

Tower

I've been on the look out for artists who make work with books and I found this which is based in the hall of the main library in Prague. This popular sculpture dominates the space, it's a giant tower of books - a monument made out of old novels from the library. It rises more than 5 metres in the air. In the bottom, there is a mirror, creating the effect of a deep well of wisdom.