Langwith Art
Amy Scott talks to Langwith Provost John Issit about his latest artistic venture on campus
Langwith College is known for many things. Some are good, such as community spirit in the face of hilariously bad facilities or the Langwithian fondness for ducks. Others, however, are not so good, with a seemingly permanently closed bar and ‘Derwent’s weedy younger brother’ tag. But one man, namely the new Langwith Provost John Issit, wants the college to be known for something else. He wants it to be known for art, and is starting his campaign with an exhibition to be held in Langwith this term, entitled ‘University Space’.
Issit’s scheme for artistic development within the college, in association with the rest of the University, came about through a desire to revive Langwith’s oft forgotten gallery space. The gallery, situated upstairs from the Langwith JCR, is a great place for an exhibition, full of light and visible from seminar rooms and accommodation blocks around the Langwith area.
Issit recalls that “we’d been looking for a way to rejuvenate the gallery space in Langwith and after deciding upon a University-wide calling for an exhibition, it was just a case of coming up with a theme; I think ‘University Space’ works as it can be interpreted in so many different ways.
“The ideas can be very wide-ranging, coming from different tribes of students and covering academic life as well as the obviously important social aspects - students meeting in the corridors and JCRs and all the ideas that flow there. Plus, there are a number of different spaces that can be interpreted, from accommodation, to the library, or even market square!” When asked about his own definitions of ‘University Space’, Issit leans towards the abstract. ‘Maybe the space inside a Computer Science student’s head! Or I could envisage a Philosophy student, sitting in the library reading a difficult and windy text, the long struggle this would require, and the wistful and dreamy thoughts of the student.’
The concept has excited many across the University, including second year History of Art student Isabel Buxton, who intends to submit a piece for the exhibition. “As LeFevre said, ‘what would happen to the Church if there were no churches?’ What would happen to the concept we call ‘university’ if there was no ’spatial mooring’ with which we anchor this concept? A physical space is to a collective concept as a word is to an idea - it provides a recognisable ’sign’ shared by those within the group. Regardless of our own personal ‘university space’, we all share the same space and therefore our own intellectual space is informed by our shared physical environment.”
The project hopes to encourage as many people as possible who are involved in the University to submit work. Issit wants to celebrate the artistic abilities of “the people who live and work in the space and who will use and develop the gallery - which, let’s not forget, is a ‘University Space’ itself. I’m hoping to use this initial exhibition to see what level of interest there is out there. How many student artists are there on campus and around York who have creative skill but at the minute no motivation or outlet?”
Judging by the response so far, there are certainly a lot of active and talented artists around. The exhibition is non-selective so all entries will be displayed. If you’d like to get involved, or have a tortured artist in your house or halls who needs a bit of motivation, it couldn’t be simpler. Let the organisers know by contacting Suzanne Decker.
All submissions are to be handed in to the Langwith Provost’s office (just along from the Porters) by Friday 16th February (Week 6). The exhibition is open to all and will commence on Monday 19th February.
