READERS #3 | In-person: the artist as worker

Readers is a reading group exploring visual culture, with a primary focus on photography and the moving image.

Readers will meet for its in-person event at Agitate, Edinburgh on Wednesday 23 November 2022, 6pm - 7:30pm. There will be an online event discussing the same text in December.

Book now for in-person

We will read the essay 'My Studio is the World' in the book Work Won’t Love You Back by Sarah Jaffe (2021). A PDF of the text will be sent out to attendees in advance of the meeting, and copies of the book will be available to purchase shortly at Agitate.

This is a contemporary read as the book was published just last year, and research spans both shortly before and throughout the pandemic. It looks at the artist as worker in the USA & Ireland primarily, and considers the perception of art and art labour both in and out of the art world, as well as framing it in the wider context of work today.

Event format //

The group will meet for 1h30, with a pause for comfort. We will discuss the text together in the first half of the event. The second half will be focused on using visual examples and artistic references to expand our thinking on the theme. Every participant is invited to bring in an example of an artwork/artist or other reference that the text reminded them of (but this is not compulsory).

About READERS //

Every two months, we will discuss a different text, and share visual works and artistic references the text reminded us of. Readers aims to provide a space for discussion for both practitioners and those with an interest in photography and visual culture, regardless of academic background.

The group will bring in texts from a variety of sources, from academia to mainstream media criticism, DIY publications and newer digital content. Readers will operate with a blended digital and in-person model, with two events: one in-person at Agitate (20 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh) and one online. Please select the event you feel the most comfortable with.

The online event will be Wed 7 Dec, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Banner image: The new now by Christina Webber (2020)