02/02/2023 – 16/02/2023 and 11/01/2024 – 26/01/2024
My secondment to Coventry University took place in two two-week visits, one year apart. Although this planning occurred to accommodate work obligations, it worked quite well in allowing for enough space in between the visits for initial relationships within the network to develop, and the focus of the secondment to be finetuned by the second visit.
One of the main objectives I had going in this secondment was to connect with members of the network and explore the different ways in which spatial practices are incorporated into the work of colleagues across disciplines. Coming from a non-profit cultural organization like the Home for Cooperation which operates from the buffer zone of Nicosia Cyprus, the transformative potentiality of spatial practices in cross-sectoral practices and methods, was of great interest.
A key element of my time in Coventry included walking and exploring the vastly contrasting landscapes of the city, visiting museums and galleries, while connecting with people who call Coventry home or workplace. The first visit was more about tracing my steps, finding my bearings and deciding what the secondment would focus on. Coventry offered a multitude of stimuli not only regarding its beautiful landscape contradictions but in the reflexivity I witnessed among the SpaceX network in the discussions around the aftermath of Coventry being UK’s City of Culture.
During my first visit I had the chance to meet with Sevven Kucuk and Ryan Hughes from Coventry Biennale, discussing methodologies and approaches in organizing an arts festival where locality and creative exploration are at the forefront, exchanging experiences and practices regarding the organization of the Buffer Fringe Performing Arts Festival in Nicosia by the Home for Cooperation. I also had very fruitful discussions with Dr Ahmadreza Hakiminejad, Dr Mahsa Alami Fariman, Prof. Gary Hall, as well as PhD researchers of the Postdigital Cultures Centre at Coventry and fellow Space-X researchers.
I also gave a presentation about my organization and own PhD research at the Centre for Postdigital Cultures with fellow SpaceX researcher Georgia Perkins from Sirius in Ireland. Additionally, along with Mel Jordan and Andy Hewitt, I attended a talk in neighbouring Northampton visiting NN Contemporary and Vulcan Works, finding out more about their efforts in creating inclusive spaces for local artists.
My second visit to Coventry, a year later, focused on reflecting on the connections built within the network and how they could potentially inform our work at the Home for Cooperation, and my own research. Having already hosted researchers at the Home under SpaceX, prior or during my second secondment visit I connected with Dr. Fiona Whelan from NCAD, Alex Parry and Marley Treloar from the University of Coventry, exchanging and reflecting on our experiences within the network and project. During this time, I also did some more hands-on fieldwork, focusing on Fargo Village at Coventry, speaking to the management team and finding out more about their approach and efforts in supporting local creatives balancing openness and inclusivity with viable business models.
Since the completion of my secondment, I had the chance to participate at an Online Conversation at Coventry University by Art, Space and the City research group, with fellow SpaceX researcher Ryan Hughes from Coventry Biennale, coordinated by Marley Treloar. The focus of the talk was on the importance of organizations being reflective towards their approach and operational structures and how this practice can inform the organization’s vision and commitment to its values and mission.
Lastly, in celebrating the possibilities of the smaller networks created within the wider SpaceX network, an informal online discussion was organized with Georgia Perkins, Marley Treloar, Alex Parry and Fiona Whelan and myself. In this meeting we discussed and exchanged experiences of our secondments, research interests and explored potential outputs and collaborations.
