Auction House //
Project Space
Auction House is an artist led project space in the heart of Redruth, Cornwall. Est.2018 with the aim of providing creative space for contemporary artists to experiment and test ideas, but also a platform for public exhibitions, performance, screenings and residencies.
NEXT SHOW…
Library of Independent Exchange
12 – 20 Dec 2020
Auction House is pleased to present the first showing of L.I.E (Library of Independent Exchange) in Cornwall. We have made some works from the collection available for the first time since the library’s relocation to 41/42, an artist-directed space which we hope to be able to open soon. Whilst our dependence on digital and virtual space accelerates at speed, we continue our efforts to make L.I.E available to those who can visit in person.
L.I.E is a unique arts reference library. Founded in Plymouth in 2011 by Christopher P Green and Mark James, it has appeared in various guises over the years: pop-up library, exhibition, library-in-residence, design school, publisher and designer of books, and director/producer of films. Past projects have involved Spike Island & Arnolfini, Bristol, The NewBridge Project, Newcastle, Hannah Barry Gallery, London, Plymouth College of Art, 0fr, Paris, and V&A, London. The mission has been to provide public access to lesser known works that exist beyond institutions. L.I.E holds pieces by independent arts publishers based all over the world, comprising artists books, monographs, catalogues, journals, zines and print editions, featuring visual art, poetry, and art writing.
Originated in London, 41/42 is now situated in our home in Gulval, on the outskirts of Penzance. It is connected via a trail that passes through Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens to Lelant and St Ives. Known as St Michael’s Way, it is the only pilgrim’s trail in Britain that is officially part of a European Cultural Route, forming a discrete section of the Camino de Santiago. This lasting, symbolic connection to Europe and beyond is one that we value highly, and will be reflected in our work.
The publications on show have been chosen because we feel they each offer a means to reflect on how art publishing, and in particular, real-life interaction with books, is as important in 2020 as it was when the library was founded almost a decade ago. Some of the titles we have selected seem especially pertinent at the moment. The photobook Empty Bottles (2007, WassinkLundgren), with its depiction of repetitive actions against a series of richly different backdrops, is an empowering and heartwarming story about scavenger-hunting in China. Hato Press’ Open Books, through thinking and talking about handling books, reminded us that we agree wholeheartedly with the editors that ‘without manipulation, there is no access to the content’. Other titles are illustrative of the kinds of collaborative projects that L.I.E has supported in the past. Others are simply some of our favourites.
41/42 is based on a curatorial idea conceived in a 2017 exhibition where each participating artist introduces another artist – fostering new connections and ‘chance’ collaboration: for one, for two. We are committed to supporting underrepresented artists and independent publishers by offering a platform for exchanging ideas. This exhibition marks the beginning of a series of events and publications.
Christopher P Green & Dr Melanie SJ Francis
co-founders, 41/42
12 – 20 Dec 2020
11am – 5pm Fri-Sat & by appointment
Opening reception:
11 Dec 2020
6 – 8 pm with a reading at 7pm by artist Nina Royle to mark the launch of her new book ‘Amalgam: Collected Writing’ published by Kingsgate Project Space / Folium (2020). Copies of Nina’s book will be available to purchase on the night.
To help us safely monitor numbers for this event, please be sure to book here: https://calendly.com/auctionhouse/library-of-independent-exchange-l-i-e?month=2020-12 event and booking are FREE.