Bad Spirits: Saleh: Contemporary art in focus

Bad Spirits (2018_2020)

Bad Spirits is a project considering the relationship between the domestic and public space. Its research underpinning is to question the relationship between dwelling, hosting, sharing and culture. The bad spirits gallery is situated in a domestic space and all public events and commissions outside of this site try to understand the new location as a home to welcome and collaborate. It creates environments that support collaboration, collectivism and making in the company of others. Bad Spirits has curated six solo shows. As well as two commissioned public events at Baltic 39 and Durham Castle. performance: Experimental Studio BXNU and The Incidental Unit May 2019 Incidental Unit Public Meeting: Bad Spirits This Incidental Futures meeting forms part of a touring public programme which explores the ongoing relevance of Artist Placement Group’s ways of working. The research collected material, and facilitated conversation as to the impact of APG and O+I. This incidental meeting was part of a seven-city UK tour to explore the long-term impact of the radical work of Artist Placement Group (1960-70s). (Saleh) Contemporary art in focus Feb 2020 A commission by CVAC and Durham University to stage a day performance and event responding to the castle. Bad Spirits presented Selah, a sound performance framed within film projections and sculptural installations. The research focus was on Durham Castle as a residence, thinking of the home environment as a place of support, rest and care. ‘Selah’ is a musical instruction, thought to mean ‘pause', creating a moment of silence for introspection and contemplation. The research considered female histories, including those of the philosopher Mary Midgley (whose archive is housed in Palace Green Library) as well as the saint, composer and poet Hildegard von Bingen to reanimate a lived space through re-enactment, performance, light and projection.