6th – 27th June 1997
Transforming the pain and frustration of the ubiquitous rejection letter, seven artists converged on Belfast to unwrap a surprise package of new work. The exhibition featured the work of artists from Dublin & Glasgow.
Artists: Justin Carter, Robert Dunne, Aoise Farren, Kevin Francis Gray, Caroline Kirsop, Stuart Purdy and Rose Thomas.
10th May – 22nd May 1997
A project set within the Waterfront Hall involving artists dealing with aspects of architecture design and land use. Works will be sited throughout the building rather than in the designated exhibition areas. Inclusive in the project was a seminar entitled ‘Correlation’s in Contemporary Art, Architecture and Theory’, dealing with wider concerns of the current relationships between art and architecture.
Artists: Mark Dawes, Graham Fagan, Daniel Jewesbury, Ronan McCrea, Eoghan McTigue, Mark Orange, Susan Philipsz and Mike Wilson.
Review. CIRCA, No 81, James Kerr. Artists Newsletter, October 1997, Compiled by Eoghan McTigue. Fortnight July/August 1997, Aisling O’Beirne. Preview Preview Ulster Society of Architects Magazine. Eoghan McTigue.
7th- 14th September 1997
Locating and placing live / timebased art work on the move the project travelled to the Street level in Glasgow, Globe Gallery in North Shields, Dean Clough in Halifax, Hull Time Based Arts in Hull, 3 Month in Liverpool and Connected in Sunderland showing artists from each of the above locations. Over 30 artists were involved and at each venues there were large audiences ranging from 350 ( Street Level Glasgow ) to 120 ( Globe Gallery , North Shields ). The exhibition demonstrated both Catalyst Arts importance as an artist run organisation in the UK and its ability to work with other artist run organisations, establishing a strong network of like minded centres. The project also took on an innovative approach which enabled it to reach a large number of people many of who would not normally attend art events.
Review. Artists Newsletter, November 1997. Compiled by Peter Richard and Dan Shipsides. Platform publication, November 1997
6th – 27th September 1997
A project bringing the best of contemporary art happening in the neighbouring cities of Glasgow, London, and Amsterdam featuring Casco from Utrecht, Bank Productions from London. The event, tongue in cheek, places Belfast at the centre of artist driven activities surrounded by the ‘would be’ centres such as Glasgow, London, Utrecht and New York. The groups selected for the event are the cream of artist led initiatives from each of these centres. The exhibition explored the erosion of notions of cultural centres and periphery.
Artists: Klaar van der Lippe represented by Casco, Matt Mitchell collaborated with Bank, from Glasgow, Sarah Tripp, Cathy Wilkes, Sue Tompkins, Hayley Tompkins and Victoria Morton. Florian Wuest. D.J.s from Knucklehead Jilkes and Hatch and Reality Check
Review. Sunday Times, 28/09/97, Gavin Weston.
17th January – 7th February 1997
The 7 members of the management committee showed their work placing it in the context of being curators of an artist run space and the issues that arise from such a dual role.
Artists: Eoghan McTigue, Niamh O’Malley, Brian Patterson, Toby Dennett, Susan Philipsz, Peter Richards and Angela Darby.
Review. The Irish Times, 23/01/97, Ian Hill. Fortnight Feb. 1997, Jim McKevitt. CIRCA No 79 Spring 1997, Eilis O’Baoill. Artists Newsletter March 1997
7th – 24th October 1997
Based on the original Nomades Territoires project this festival included discussions by one of the founders of Nomades Territoires, Nathalie Perault (Québéc), performances by Richard Martel (Québéc), Julie Bacon (Hull) and Valentin Torrens (Barcelona). A visual exhibition entitled Cultural Baggage which contained suitcases from 18 countries ran alongside and the project was contextualised through a seminar hosted by Dr. Slavka Sverakova. This project ties in with the Quebecois festival in Belfast.
Review. Circa 82 Brian Kennedy.
Dan Shipsides & Joe Mcgonigal
20th Feb.- 13th March 1997
Local artists Dan Shipsides and Jo McGonigal exploring different strategies of mapping and tracing, incorporating aspects of landscape, painting, installation and performance.
Review, Artists Newsletter, April 1997, Daniel Jewesbury.