Kickstarting for B.O.O.K Residencies
melissandre varin, We Are Close(d), Arcadia Gallery
Throughout 2021 we are working closely with melissandre varin, a Black queer non-binary, co-parent, artist, researcher-curator and editor. We have commissioned melissandre and their wide networks of artistic and community co-creators to develop B.O.O.K (Building Our Own Knowledge) for Coventry Biennial 2021.
B.O.O.K is a new kind of co-created space for healing by finding, (trans)forming, and sharing under-represented narratives, taking the form of a public library that focuses on the experiences and knowledges of Black artists.
B.O.O.K will be a nomadic, sacred and intentional space that shares practice and resources. Funds raised through this kickstarter will enable a number of Black, Midlands based artists to complete residencies at B.O.O.K, spending time developing their own practices while also working and collaborating with melissandre varin.
melissandre has explained that B.O.O.K, and these associated residencies would explore:
“the role of books in relation to healing, the role of Black artists in cultural spaces and the use of libraries as apothecaries”
The residencies will take place during the 3rd Coventry Biennial, between October 2021 and January 2022 as a part of the UK City of Culture year.
B.O.O.K has been commissioned by Coventry Biennial and our work with melissandre is delivered in partnership with Coventry Artspace. The resident artist(s) recruited following this kickstarter campaign would also benefit from the support of our partner organisations.
There are a wide range of rewards including zines, prints, intimate discussions with artists and guided tours available in exchange for your support, the kickstarter page can be found here.
by Ryan Hughes