Arp: Influence and Exchange
The Finnis Scott Symposium at Turner Contemporary
Thursday 23-Friday 24 November 2017

A symposium exploring the work of Hans Jean Arp in conjunction with the exhibition Arp: The Poetry of Forms at Turner Contemporary. Organised by Turner Contemporary in partnership with the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Royal Holloway, University of London.

The notion of a ‘poetry of forms’ is powerfully expressed in the sculptures, reliefs, drawings, paintings, poems and other texts of Hans Jean Arp (1886-1966). Enriched with originality and humour, the works he produced throughout a long career establish a web of relationships, echoes and dialogues. Both individually and as a whole they continue to develop new meanings.

This symposium will explore Arp’s influence on and engagement with many of the major art movements of the twentieth century and his collaborations with artists of the European avant-garde, as well as his enduring legacy today. It is organised alongside the first major exhibition in a public gallery of Arp’s work in the UK since 1962, co-curated by Frances Guy and Prof. Eric Robertson.

To register for the symposium, visit: https://www.turnercontemporary.org/whats-on/category/symposium

Programme

Thursday 23 November
5.30 - 7pm
Reception for delegates, including a presentation of Amphora composed by Helen Caddick, inspired by the work of Jean Arp and a guided tour of the exhibition led by exhibition co-curator Frances Guy.

Friday 24 November
10.30 - 11.00
Registration and refreshments

11.00 - 11.15
Welcome and introduction to the day

11.15 - 11.45
Dr Julia Kelly (Leeds Beckett University)
Arp, Surrealism and Sculpture

11.50 - 12.20
Dr Rachel Smith (Tate Britain)
Parts, Movements, Patterns: Constellations and Interwar Britain

12.25 - 12.55
Dr Edward Juler (Newcastle University)
'A Clutch of eggs with a few Arp scraps': the biocentric reception of Hans Arp in Britain, c.1935-45

13.00 - 14.15
Lunch

14.15 - 14.45
Prof Eric Robertson (Royal Holloway, University of London)
Arp’s Poetic Forms

14.50 - 15.20
Dr Jill Fell (Birkbeck, University of London)
News from Meudon and Grasse - Sophie Taeuber-Arp's letters to her sister during the "Hitler years"

15.25 - 15.55
Prof Brandon Taylor (Solent University/ Ruskin School of Art, Oxford)
Biomorphism?

16.00 - 16.30
Break (refreshments provided)

16.30
Closing remarks

17.00
Finish

The symposium fee is £30/£20 for students and includes an invitation to an evening reception for delegates on Thursday 23 November.

A light lunch as well as morning and afternoon refreshments will be provided.

Turner Contemporary opens at 10.00 for delegates wishing to see Arp: The Poetry of Forms before the conference. There will also be an opportunity to visit during the lunch break.

There is no parking at Turner Contemporary but there is parking nearby at College Square (Morrison's multi storey) CT9 1QA, and at Trinity Square CT9 1HR.

Arp: The Poetry of Forms is at Turner Contemporary from 13 October 2017 to 14 January 2018. Organised by Turner Contemporary in collaboration with the Kröller-Müller Museum.

Exhibition supported by Pro Helvetia and Finnis Scott Foundation.