Output details

Dark Places

Originality

White developed an ‘Overt Research’ methodology as part of a longitudinal study for the Office of Experiments - founded by White in 2004 (an independent artistic research organisation that uses experimental methods and fieldwork to engage non-institutional, challenging and complex spaces). The aim of the research was to physically locate and map sites of experimentation, intelligence or research not normally accessible to the public within the British Landscape. A GIS configured drupal database acts as the core resource and repository for field research documentation and interpretation.

Rigour

During a residency at UCL in 2009 research was displayed in UCL Cloister, a test for co-curated exhibition Dark Places by White at the Internationally recognised (RAE2008) John Hansard Gallery with the Arts Catalyst (2009). Artists included; Beatriz da Costa and Steve Rowell (Center for Land Use Interpretation USA) and Steve Beard and Victoria Halford (UK). ‘Overt research’ has since led to detailed Critical excursions (bus tours) in which members of the public are given access to sites of interest (Dept of Homeland Security, Admiralty Underwater Research at Southwell Business Park, ROF Nuclear Bunkers etc) whilst historical, unofficial, de-classified and contested media is played during transit. These include: Secrecy and Technology of the Cold War (Southampton Feb 2010), Secrets of Portland, Resonant Terrains (Dorset - May 2011, Oct 2013) and Experimental Ruins (London 2012), developed following an ESRC workshop in 2010 at UCL and commissioned by Heritage Lottery Fund.

Significance

Peer reviewed conference papers and invited presentations in International conferences (Lancaster University 2010, CRASSH Cambridge University 2011, and AAG, New York 2012), book chapters (Critical Dictionary, How Artists Think), and International exhibitions; The Redactor, Apexart, New York 2010, have led to significant and widespread coverage of the work in; Academic Journals (Afterimage, Geoforum, Tate Papers), periodicals (Blueprint, Art Monthly) and websites; www.we-make-money-not-art.com.