This is the second edition of Structures of Community and  is co-hosted by the Centre for Spatial, Environmental and Cultural Politics (CSECP) and Brighton CCA.

Refer to the website to book and for additional information: https://brightoncca.art/event/structures-of-community/

Expanding the conversations from the first edition, Structures of Community will facilitate dialogue between practitioners on socially engaged, interdisciplinary practices with a particular focus on spatial inequalities and injustices. The event takes place within two new commissions at Brighton CCA; Summer House by RESOLVE Collective and rock comb by Amalia Pica both using participation to consider at the politics of labour, site, resources, and community.

Summer House by RESOLVE Collective is a custom-built architectural installation and public programme working with Black community practitioners and artists in Croydon and Brighton. RESOLVE have twinned their Croydon base with Brighton to explore their commonalities and differences as communal sites of creative production. Actively disempowered communities in both Croydon and Brighton are engaging in radical new forms of industry; world-building and organising work that supports their networks where mainstream provisions have failed. Through this project RESOLVE have sought to celebrate this work and highlight the inequitable processes that require it. Amalia Pica’s commission rock comb invites visitors to consider the process of sorting as an application of knowledge and an articulation of how we understand our environment. The work examines the value of both individual and collective work and how individual choices can impact a wider group. Together, the exhibitions are an investigation into the ways we can work together and how culture can be used as a frame work for collaboration.

The day is organised in three parts. Participants and visitors are welcome to join throughout the day – booking is required via https://brightoncca.art/event/structures-of-community There will be lunch and refreshments throughout.

  1. Morning (11am – 1pm) Methodologies for co-design and co-research  Taking as a starting point RESOLVE’s vision for Summer House – communicating the redistribution resources and tools for a more just future – this session will start with a presentation by RESOLVE, followed by facilitated break out groups with a focus on co-design and co-research as a methodology to address spatial inequalities and injustices.
  2. Afternoon (2 – 5pm) Recuperative spaces Artist-led activities, by artists duo Leap then Look and Brighton’s Social Art Network, offer time to reflect on notions of recuperation and will invite participants to work collectively through dialogue and making.
  3. Evening (5.30 – 7.30pm) Publishing Participation The last part of the day will bring together publications from participatory projects, including the collation of research papers from May’s event. This will be an informal evening with a bar.

Please email Polly Wright – P.Wright@brighton.ac.uk (Programme Producer) with any questions about the event.

Feature photograph: Helen Dewhurst