TRAW’ by Bedwyr Williams, co-commission
between 14-18 NOW LIGHTS OUT and Artes Mundi,
at Pontio, Bangor.
SM: How is Artes Mundi evolving?
KM: There are more artists this year.
And we’re working again with Chapter
and have a new partnership with
Ffotogallery. So you’ll see more of
each artist’s work.
We’ve also shifted the focus away
from the prize itself by working with
partner organisations to run projects
in other parts of Wales. People often
ask me ‘What’s the model?’ and you
could say we’re trying to grow our
own.
For example, we co-commissioned with
Mostyn the exhibition Divine Violence
by Broomberg and Chanarin. And in
August we co-commisioned Bedwyr
Williams’s Traw with 14:18 NOW. This
was a video and sound installation at
the site of the North Wales Memorial
Arch in Bangor, which involved the
projection of images of the many
thousands of north Welsh servicemen
who lost their lives in the First World
War.
SM: There’s a backlash from artists
in some places against the dominance
of international artists in public
exhibition programmes. Does that
apply in Cardiff too?
KM: For me it’s about looking at
the whole landscape. And of course
that’s changing all the time. What
we’d really like to do over the next
two years is work with artists from
other countries on longer-term
projects which create relationships,
friendships, partnerships and
opportunities here in Wales.
You could describe what we’re
creating as a rhizome that’s beginning
to show in other ways across the
landscape. I would ask why we always
raise this question about the funding
of international art? We’d never argue
that famous rock bands, orchestras
and dance companies are detrimental
to the local arts scene in our cities.
SM: You’re the first Welsh director of
Artes Mundi. Does it make a difference
that you had already worked in Wales?
KM: Well, yes, I pretty much know
everyone and I’m well aware of all the
conversations and possible criticisms.
But I try not to think about it much.
The main thing is that I have a passion
for this particular place, at this
particular moment.
SM: What are the exciting
developments on the horizon in Wales?
KM: Gosh, it’s difficult to single
out particular artists or galleries,
without leaving people out. Of
course Cardiff Contemporary is really
exciting, because we’re all working
so well together. Places like Chapter,
Mostyn and g39 are always amazing.
And the refurbished Glyn Vivian is
something to watch out for next
year. In the meantime they have a
great off-site programme.
I hope that this big shift, especially
in Cardiff, attracts the attentio