MAP is committed to raising the profile of live art/performance in the region. The current project builds on the Cumbria Poland Live Art Exchange of 2004. In that project we established an expectation in the minds of the public for future performance art events in Carlisle. As a member of the public emailed to MAP after the events:

"It was an encouraging experience to see such an ambitious and inspiring live art exchange take place in a region where new and experimental art and performance practices can often go unsupported and overlooked. To see the work of British and Polish artists standing side by side provided an important opportunity for us to reflect on the commonalities, conflicts and issues of the different cultures encouraging us to look beyond our own town or city and its issues to that of a larger social, cultural and political community. I hope that this means the start of a supported experimental art and performance network in Cumbria".

As a result of the 2004 exchange, we had very strong feedback from the artists as well as audiences, which has consequently confirmed our belief that the type of quality and diversity of international performance art that was shown, should become part of the art scene in Cumbria.

“It was a rare opportunity to share such important dialogue between a diverse selection of artists, and to experience work from the likes of Marek Choloniewski on such an intimate level! I believe that the Cumbria-Poland Live Art Exchange really is the start of something special and rewarding, not just for the regions artists but for the people of Cumbria.”

A further outcome of the 2004 exchange was an evening of performance art in February 2006. This very successful event was funded by Carlisle City Council. It was held in Carlisle at The Source Café performance space which will now be one of the venues for the next exchange. The artists performing included Wladyslaw Kazmierczak and Ewa Rybska from Poland, Yaron David from Israel, Lena Simic from Croatia and three UK artists from the northwest. Contacts made and developed during this event led to Croatia and Israel becoming our next partner countries.

The residency element of the Cumbria Poland Live Art Exchange at Allenheads in 2004 was very important for the artists and for the cohesion of the project. Some comments from the three UK artists:

‘During the time at Allenheads, the level of support was highly professional and led to the production of a finished piece of work.’
Anthony Padgett

‘This was an ideal opportunity to develop the collaboration with the Polish performance artist and I was put in touch with someone who was interested in working with me.’
Clare Charnley

‘One of the most enjoyable elements of the trip was the time and space to develop work in the various contexts. All too often the event is the main focus – turn up, set up, perform and move on. In both Carlisle and Poland the time has allowed me to really focus my thoughts in a new way – a relaxed way – and to develop strong friendships and working relationships with so many interesting people. . . I am always curious as to others ideas and felt that part of the idea of exchange was to exchange ideas. What I realised however, very quickly, was that discussion happens after the show, and the sharing is more general than specific artists ideas. This also gave me an insight into the meaning inherent in these works – which tended to have a strong message portrayed through the action/s. It is direct language of performance where action means something, whether or not this is specific.’
Ilana Mitchell

MAP LIVE 2007 will again include a residency period at Allenheads Contemporary Arts for most of the Exchange artists from 1st – 6th May.

Through international artists’ exchanges, Matrix Art Projects aims to support and facilitate dialogue and the sharing of ideas. We seek to encourage open and meaningful communication.

We feel that the three countries involved this time will extend this important interaction and continue to establish Cumbria as a regional venue for performance art.

The UK Exchange artists will be participating in performance art events in Israel in September and in Croatia in October this year.

MAP is not organising an exchange between Croatia and Israel, but that may happen depending whether the participating artists from those countries decide to take that initiative.