A Comic Darkly: Art & Humour
Comedy & Art Symposium
Saturday 19th January 12.00pm-5.00pm
SOLD OUT
"A paranoid is someone who knows a little of what's going on. A psychotic is a guy who's just found out what's going on." - William S. Burroughs
During January, October Gallery exhibited the artworks of poet, author and satirist William S. Burroughs. A pioneer in new ways of writing, Burroughs inspired the Beat Generation. His life was infamous, marked by drug addiction and the manslaughter of his wife. Although his artwork is lesser known, its exploration of interior landscapes coupled with Burroughs' darkly comic authorial style, provided the perfect setting for guest speakers to explore art and humour.
Lady Garden have been hailed as one of the "top 5 sketch acts to see in the UK" by The Independent and will perform a selection of some of their more twisted material, stimulating discussion on the darker aspects of comedy. Artist Chris Poolman will present his findings from a road trip commission inspired by epic American road narratives of the Beat Generation. Comic Lou Sanders will deconstruct comedy styles during her performance, "From the crazy off-beat surrealism of Lou Sanders, it seems like something new is happening in comedy."- The Independent. Dr Andy Kesson (University of Kent) and his trusty actors will run a workshop using play and performance to ask what comedy is and what it was. Robin Graham is the founder and director of Feelgood Communities CIC. He will be hosting a practical laughter workshop, demonstrating why laughter is the best from of medicine!
The day's events were hosted by artist and comic, Leigh Clarke who has exhibited his work at Whitechapel Gallery and whose performances have been seen at the Royal Academy of Arts and Whitstable Biennale.
The audience had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion at the end of the talks and throw jokes written on aeroplanes at guest speakers, who delivered the punch lines. The dayended with a live D.J set of original 60s vinyl.
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