RESEARCH & WRITING
Current Research
My current research project Fan Riot (2015- present) explores the phenomenon of online fandom and participatory fan cultures and includes a fan club series with contributing artists and fans, publications, and a number of newly commissioned transformative artworks.
Teaching
Since 2014 I have developed and led the 'Fans & Amateur-Experts' class in BA Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, drawing on my research. I also currently teach BA Fine Art Critical Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London.
PhD
In 2013 I completed a PhD funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in the department of visual cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London. My practice-based thesis titled Trashy Tendencies: Indeterminate Acts of Refusal in Contemporary Art and Performance Practice asks what are the potentials of trashy performances in a time after trash?: That is after an aesthetics of refusal exemplified in the 20th Century avant-gardes and counter-culture; but also after trash in the sense of following its seductive appeal. Trash aesthetics are evident across contemporary performance cultures, but how do they operate differently to their now often-commoditised counterparts? What new ethical and political possibilities do trashy tendencies offer?
Researcher
Between 2009-12 I held the position as AHRC funded researcher on Performance Matters, a three-year project between Live Art Development Agency, Goldsmiths University and University of Roehampton.
‘On Larry Love: An Interview with Fan Artist Karukara’, (2015) Salt, Montez Press, issue 7. Oct 2015.
Fictional Realness", Performance Philosophy School of Athens Symposium, (Ε.Δ.Ω. Athens, March 2014); The Impossible Constellation (University of Lincoln, July 2014)
"Stupid Holes: Stupid Becomings in the Work of South African Rap-rave Group Die Antwoord", Stupidious! (South London Gallery, Feb 2014)
"Lineages of Trash: Owen Parry interviews 'legend, icon, wild-hearted demoness bad-girl bitch' - Penny Arcade", Live Art Almanac, Vol 3 (London: Oberon Books, 2013); originally published in Dance Theatre Journal, 24. 3 (2011)
Peachy Who-Chi? 20 Unidentified Flying Portraits", In Conversation: Equality Versus Freedom (National Portrait Gallery, June 2013)
"The Morning After: a Roundtable on Cruising for Art", Lobel, Performing Ethos, 3:2. 2011.
"Performing Refuse / Refusing Performance", Performance Studies International 18 (University of Leeds, June 2012) and Trash Conference (University of Sussex, September 2012)
Co-editor, [Trashing] Dance Theatre Journal, 24. 3 (2011)
"Art Crush: Promiscuous Methodologies", Chisenhale Art Club (London: March, 2011)
"Talking Like You Don't Care, And Other Angry Speeches", Performing Idea Forum, Whitechapel Gallery (London: October, 2010)
"It’s Beside You”: The Ghost in Contemporary Performance Practice and Research", Performing Idea Lab, Club Row Gallery, (London: April, 2010) and Goldsmiths University of London, Spring review, (London: May, 2010)
Adam Ant's Ridiculous Mantra: "Performance Art is Nothing to be Scared of'", Klein Kunst II, Roundhouse (November, 2009)
Publications, Papers
"Shipping (as) Fandom & Art Practice" (Forthcoming 2019), Fandom as Methodology, Goldsmiths Press.
"Sex, Work, and Negative Affects in Participatory Performance" (2016), Contemporary Theatre Review, Interventions.
‘Larry is Real: Interview’, (2016) Fansplaining Podcast, Episode 16, 24 Feb, 2016.
"Fictional Realness: Towards a Colloquial Performance Practice", Performance Research 20:5. 2015
'Fan Riot', Visual Cultures 10, The Showroom, Dec 2015.
‘Size Queen’, (2016) General Fine Arts, ed. Clarke. T, issue 1: vol. 2.
‘Live!Art Fanzine’, (2015) Fan Riot Press, (LADA Commission) Oct 2015.
"Mpreg Versus Homonormcore", The New Inquiry, Vol 43, August 2015.
Photo: Christa Holka