Here & There (HAT)
January 2003 - December 2005
Here & There (HAT) is an international jeweller exchange and exhibition project between Australia and the United Kingdom. "At a time when cultures are technically closer than ever, this project aims to explore the impact of new geographies, new contexts and new experiences on the working practice of contemporary jewellers in England and Australia. A particular area of interest is that of difference and comparison in the practice of antipodean makers, and to what extent distance impacts on that practice - especially when there are shared cultural histories. The project achieves this through a series of residencies in each country, a joint workshop in Manchester, England for all participants, and a touring exhibition in both countries."
Here & There (HAT) is being project managed in Australia by Craftsouth, and in the United Kingdom by North West Arts Board. The project has received principal financial support from the Australia Council for the Arts and the Arts Council of England.
The Residencies
Sixteen artists - 8 from Australia and 8 from the United Kingdom - have been selected to undertake three-month "antipodean" residencies. The aim of the residencies is for artists to develop their practices in an international context: to consider the issues, concerns and design trends of contemporary jewellery making in Australia and the United Kingdom, and to generate fresh ideas and new work.
The artists have already seen the benefits of their exchanges, with one artist commenting: "...the residency has given me the opportunity to exhale and clear away a little time and space in which things may not need to run according to plan, accidents have been welcomed..."
You can view outcomes of the residencies, including work-in-progress images and Quick Time movies, by clicking on the artists' names below.
The Australian jewellers and their host organisations in the United Kingdom:
The United Kingdom jewellers and their host organisations in Australia:
cHAT Collaboration Week
From 7 - 11 July 2003, the participating Australian and United Kingdom artists, curators and project managers will meet at Manchester Metropolitan University for a week of "de-briefing" activities. Artists will discuss their experiences - including the technical and theoretical processes engaged during their residencies - to assist the HAT curators to develop the exhibition, to tour the United Kingdom and Australia.
International Touring Exhibition: HAT Project
An international touring exhibition has been developed from the residencies and discussions generated at the cHAT week. The exhibition documents the project in its entirety, and aims to chart changes in making and the marketing of work as a result of working in new cultural contexts. The exhibition has toured the four UK regions involved in the HAT project (North West, East Midlands, West Midlands and South East) from September 2003 - April 2004 and toured Australia from August 2004 - November 2005.
For further information about Here & There (HAT):
Visit the HAT website: www.hat.mmu.ac.uk
Email Craftsouth: craftsouth@craftsouth.org.au
Here & There (HAT) has received support from the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
