FORGE – Conversations Announcement

We are preparing to open FORGE, an extraordinary installation that will see Rachel Mars weld a replica of the 100kg ‘welcome gate’ from the Dachau concentration camp. This epic installation will be presented at new experimental venue Testbed and explores who memorials are for, what happens to places where traumatic events take place, and who decides.

Alongside the installation, we are pleased to be gathering nearby at The Tetley for three curated conversations which will create an important space for provocations and reflection. Curated by Rachel Mars and Transform, these three conversations will involve inspiring provocations and invite attendees to get involved in the discussion, alongside a bite to eat.

We are delighted to announce the line-up for these three compelling conversations, which includes leading artist Malika Booker, campaigner and former councillor Alison Lowe and academic Dr Emily Zobel Marshall, alongside experts in the field of memorial issues and leading artists…

CONVERSATION 1: Personal –  Thu 31 March, 7.30pm-9.00pm
This will be an informal discussion between artist Rachel Mars and Malika Booker – an international writer whose work is steeped in anthropological research methodology and rooted in storytelling. Rachel and Malika will explore the process behind FORGE and Rachel’s approaches to the issues contained in the artwork, alongside discussing Malika’s practice.

CONVERSATION 2: Local – Fri 1 April, 7.30pm-9.00pm
This conversation will invite discussion on issues and questions relating to memorial and monuments in Leeds. We will be joined by campaigner and former councillor Alison Lowe, who previously led an independent review of public statues for the city of Leeds. We are also thrilled to be joined by Dr Emily Zobel Marshall, Senior Lecturer in Postcolonial Literature at Leeds Beckett University and trustee of the David Oluwale Memorial Association and Paula Kolar, artist in residence at the Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre in Huddersfield. This conversation will be facilitated by theatre maker and artist Toni-Dee Paul.

CONVERSATION 3: International – Sat 1 April, 1.30pm-3.00pm
This conversation will consider issues and questions around memorial and monument more widely. We will be joined by Alessandro Bucci, Director of the Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre in Huddersfield. We will also hear from Dr Milka Ivanov – Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Tourism and Hospitality at Leeds Beckett University. This conversation will be facilitated by theatre director, writer and co-director of Vanitas Arts Amanda Huxtable.

Tickets for these three conversations at The Tetley are Pay What You Can and can be booked here.

We also encourage audiences to book for the installation itself at Testbed, there are various time slots to choose from between Thursday 31 March – Saturday 2 April.

Tickets are also Pay What You Can and can be booked here.