2016-
the disco trolley
Bringing the party to (and dispelling any trace of reverence from) the Falmouth Fine Art Degree Show
The red carpet facilitation squad
Providing VIP treatment to guests during the Exclusive Preview Night at Falmouth's Degree Shows
FOLLYWOOD
Folly: lack of good sense; foolishness/ a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose Follywood: a colourful day-long occupation of an expensive concrete sign, drawing attention to the lack of transparency in communication between Falmouth University's management and the staff, students and locals who are affected by their decision-making. |
When Falmouth University planted a large and expensive concrete sign depicting its own brand image, many staff, students and locals were mystified, frustrated and appalled. In response to this folly, a day of colourful peaceful protest was organised, highlighting how useless, wasteful and unimaginative the sign is in comparison to what might have been, and what really is despite favoured concrete appearances.
Tom Stockley and Maddie Broad invited interaction and intervention at the Falmouth sign all day from 9am til 7pm. The event's family festival vibe was enjoyable and approachable, but the playfully subversive act of occupying the University's latest foolish expenditure resonated with many who longed for a way to push back at the institution's business-minded behaviour.
The story of the Follywood happenings has been covered in local papers The Falmouth Packet and West Briton, BBC Radio Cornwall, Pirate FM, The Falmouth Anchor and in an article for the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts: http://anticuts.com/2016/03/21/falmouth-university-signs-lies-and-pay-rises/
Here's Tom Stockley's blog about it: http://tomstockley.weebly.com/journal/follywood1
More recently, artist Tim Shaw has written an open letter to the University: http://www.cornwalllive.com/artist-tim-shaw-pens-letter-to-falmouth-university/story-29924125-detail/story.html
And Tom Stockley burnt his degree, and sent it back to Falmouth: http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/torquay-student-burns-degree-in-protest-against-university-shutting-down-its-arts-course/story-29927793-detail/story.html
More from Tom here at his backcatalogue of rascalry: tomstockley.weebly.com/
Tom Stockley and Maddie Broad invited interaction and intervention at the Falmouth sign all day from 9am til 7pm. The event's family festival vibe was enjoyable and approachable, but the playfully subversive act of occupying the University's latest foolish expenditure resonated with many who longed for a way to push back at the institution's business-minded behaviour.
The story of the Follywood happenings has been covered in local papers The Falmouth Packet and West Briton, BBC Radio Cornwall, Pirate FM, The Falmouth Anchor and in an article for the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts: http://anticuts.com/2016/03/21/falmouth-university-signs-lies-and-pay-rises/
Here's Tom Stockley's blog about it: http://tomstockley.weebly.com/journal/follywood1
More recently, artist Tim Shaw has written an open letter to the University: http://www.cornwalllive.com/artist-tim-shaw-pens-letter-to-falmouth-university/story-29924125-detail/story.html
And Tom Stockley burnt his degree, and sent it back to Falmouth: http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/torquay-student-burns-degree-in-protest-against-university-shutting-down-its-arts-course/story-29927793-detail/story.html
More from Tom here at his backcatalogue of rascalry: tomstockley.weebly.com/
We Attempt To Fit Through The Gallery Door #2
A group exercise in co-operation. Participants begin outside the gallery and become entangled, holding hands to secure themselves in a human knot. They then attempt to manoeuvre back into the gallery, remaining joined together. The process evokes many of the same skills and experiences common in collaborative art practice, including negotiation, compromise, inconvenience, displeasure, pleasure, moderate hysteria, being judged by outsiders, patience, teamwork, closeness, mutual support, stress and ultimately a sense of celebration and it all having been worthwhile in the end. |
Joined-Up Thinking / In Two Minds
A cooperative gallery experience for two participants, made of easily come-by-able materials.
(This incarnation of the work was gleaned from a Falmouth resident's cardboard recycling during the week of installation at Newlyn Gallery, and made more durable with gaffa tape).
A cooperative gallery experience for two participants, made of easily come-by-able materials.
(This incarnation of the work was gleaned from a Falmouth resident's cardboard recycling during the week of installation at Newlyn Gallery, and made more durable with gaffa tape).
Employability Portal
As part of a series of interventions at The Falmouth Sign that claimed to make the space useful, Maddie offered Falmouth University student participants the chance to fast-track towards the world of employment.
As part of a series of interventions at The Falmouth Sign that claimed to make the space useful, Maddie offered Falmouth University student participants the chance to fast-track towards the world of employment.
Woodlane Campus Design Ideas
Tom Stockley and Maddie Broad invited Falmouth University students' input on the development of their campus. The University's Estates Department have been making a lot of costly and significant architectural "improvements" recently, all without communication with most staff and students. In recent years there has been a growing concern that management do not care to engage in a two-way conversation with those working and studying at Falmouth.
Tom Stockley and Maddie Broad invited Falmouth University students' input on the development of their campus. The University's Estates Department have been making a lot of costly and significant architectural "improvements" recently, all without communication with most staff and students. In recent years there has been a growing concern that management do not care to engage in a two-way conversation with those working and studying at Falmouth.
Noticeboard (Sign of the Times)
I've been gathering newspaper clippings, images and stories that talk about the overall impression the University is having on the town of Falmouth right now. There are issues with student housing in light of the Uni's plans for expansion, which will affect local residents, students and graduates alike. By collecting these stories and putting them together on a noticeboard I can help myself and others to see the bigger picture. It is dangerously easy as a student to choose to ignore issues outside your personal life and studies. This could be a sign of the times, in which many of us are absorbed by our smartphones in the globalised world of capitalist cyberspace. It could be the nature of Falmouth, geographically isolated from the rest of the country... Personally, I cannot be disengaged; it frustrates me that the easy option is to remain ignorant and benign as a student when we are the ones with the most ability to affect change, if we were only more organised, informed and inclined. If only we were more unionised...
The Follywood Forum