On 27-27 March 2018, almost 70 students and researchers from UK-based universities and arts organisations gathered once again at the Green Rooms the UK's first arts hotel, in Wood Green, London for the Venice Fellowships Induction School.
Over a two day residency, this year’s Venice Fellows had a sneak preview of the conception of ISLAND from Marcus Taylor, artist and project curator, and members of the British Council project team including Sarah Mann, Director of ADF and Commissioner of this year’s pavilion.
They also received training in access with a workshop from Attitude is Everything, communications and research skills, and guidance and inspiration from Fellow alumni.
We asked the Fellows about their thoughts after the Induction:
Laura Fogar - London College of Communication
The induction days have been fundamental in order to clarify and get more information regarding both the invigilator role and the context of the British Pavilion. The two days spent together gave us to opportunity to meet with our Fellows group and start building relationships and exchanging ideas and experiences.
The training days really helped me to visualise both working at the Pavilion and Venice life more generally. While it was great to hear about the plans for the Pavilion from Marcus Taylor, Island is a dynamic concept which leaves a lot of unknowns. In that sense, there is still lots to be revealed once we get out there, which is a pretty exciting prospect.
It was also really inspiring discovering the projects of previous Venice Fellows and listening to the plans of this year's cohort. I was particularly impressed with the variety of responses to the initial research proposal: in my group alone we had Fellows looking at 3D rendering, soundscapes and podcasts and underwater dams. I'm particularly excited to see how some of these projects could influence and interact with my own research. I'm most looking forward to being in such an international environment and meeting other Fellows, stewards, artists and curators while in Venice.
Ryan Sook - Arts University Bournemouth
The most exciting thing for myself is that I’ve been given the opportunity to explore a historically renowned city for a month… filled to the brim with examples of art and architecture… whilst working alongside other fellows who practice within the art and design themes.
Danilo Reis - Birkbeck, University of London
I feel really honoured to be a fellow in this year’s Birkbeck Venice Biennale partnership with the British Council. I look forward to gaining more professional insight into the functioning of the Venice Biennale, while also expanding my research. The access that fellows have to libraries and archives while in Venice, together with experiencing the city of Venice itself, will provide a valuable opportunity to expand my research.
