Yvonne Carmichael

Art In Unusual Spaces

Yvonne is currently the programmer for Art in Unusual Spaces; a scheme which is a partnership between independent curators, landlords, artists and businesses throughout the city who in most cases use units across the city as they become temporarily vacant, to exhibit art works. The project is ongoing and was initiated in partnership with Leeds City Council in December 2009, and since then Art in Unusual Spaces has been constituted an independent Community Interest Company.

The talk/ lecture presented to us by Yvonne Carmichael was definitely a motivating and interesting experience which made me think so much further into the spaces that are available to individual artists and groups to hold exhibitions and events throughout cities. I usually automatically think of presenting my work in an 'arty' environment but I found after hearing of the success of past exhibitions she has held, has made 'unusual spaces', i.e. shopping centers, stores, offices, hotels...etc, sound much more interesting. I suppose, taking the work out of a typical gallery space and placing it into a shopping centre makes the work seen in an everyday environment, instead of visiting a space purposely for that reason; giving the ‘non’ arty community the opportunity to witness the work without any original intention. The space the work is shown with the different incorporation of a range of people would also create a more varied outlook on the art and what the artist themselves are aiming to achieve; maybe questioning the work with the environment it’s in, in mind. I find this whole prospect and idea really interesting and something I am definitely looking forward to experimenting further along the line of my studies. Although I get the feeling that peoples opinions may vary from some finding it certainly positive and unique to others questioning the concept of it being ‘un-professional’ because of the environment the work is shown.....however these mixed responses would be unquestionably interesting.