How Near is Here? was a collective enquiry centred on locality – a complex term that refers to geographical surroundings, the people occupying an area, or the buildings and spaces that define it.
The programme brought together artists, arts organisations and academics working across the field of art and/in ‘the urban’, examining why locality is a contested and widespread concern now. Key questions posed were ‘What constitutes the local now?’ and ‘What role does art (and culture) play in constructing a locality?’
How Near is Here? Symposium was a chance to discuss case studies and approaches to working ‘locally’, and included talks by Alexandra Baudelot (Les Laboratoires d’Aubervilliers), Janna Graham (Centre for Possible Studies) and Kate Gray (Collective); a walking tour led by artist Mitch Miller; a screening of work by Dennis McNulty; and keynote lectures by anthropologist of architecture Albena Yaneva (The University of Manchester) and Fulya Erdemci (curator of the 13th Istanbul Biennial).
Download the full programme for How Near is Here? Symposium here
Download the How Near is Here? reading list here
Visit our Facebook album for more photographs of the event
All Sided Games set out to find new ways to work with families in their locality, seeking out areas of mutual interest by thinking and acting through the production and presentation of art. Six commissions by Jacob Dahlgren, Mitch Miller, Cristina Lucas, Nils Norman and Assemble, Florrie James and Dennis McNulty brought artists, individuals and groups together in and around venues built or used for the Edinburgh 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games and the Glasgow 2014 Games. The project also explored and expanded on ideas of the local through How Near is Here? a symposium and intensive programme.
This is an archived programme entry.
