11 April 2012

'Embracing the Everyday Through Art' - Dundee Arts Cafe event on 17th April

Professor Tracy Mackenna and Edwin Janssen from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) will explore how art enables people to embrace the everyday at a public talk in Dundee next week.

They will deliver the next instalment of the popular Dundee Arts Cafe series at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum on Tuesday, 17th April. The talk, 'The Stuff of Life - Embracing the Everyday Through Art' will see the two artists explain the relationship between art and life in their work.

Professor Mackenna and Edwin Janssen frequently collaborate on a number of projects, and their diverse and creative practice is a site for production, social engagement, participation and reflection. They focus on key issues that affect our daily lives, and will discuss a number of their projects during the Arts Cafe event.

Dr Jon Urch, event organiser and public engagement co-ordinator at the University of Dundee, said, "There is sometimes a false perception that art is an elitist pursuit, and not for 'normal' folks, but Tracy and Edwin will show that to be a myth during their talk.

"Their work is very much rooted in the world of the everyday, and focuses on events and topics that affect everyone. For example, one of their previous works, 'WAR as Ever!' juxtoposed a set of unique 16th century collection of prints about a 400-year-old war with news coverage of the Iraq war to show the impact of both conflicts."

Dundee Arts Cafe is a programme of talks showcasing arts research and developments taking place locally. The series is organised by the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, and Dundee City Council's Leisure & Culture department.

These events enable members of the public to relax and discuss the arts, from English to History, Philosophy to Architecture, and Fine Art to Product Design, with some of the leading names carrying out work in these areas in Dundee. They last one hour, and speakers talk passionately about their work for 30 minutes before the floor is opened up to an informal discussion with the audience. All talks take place in The McManus Cafe, Albert Square, Dundee.

'The Stuff of Life - Embracing the Everyday Through Art' takes place at 6pm on Tuesday, 17th April. This event is free, and open to all. Limited seating means visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the event and Dundee Arts Cafe please visit www.DundeeArtsCafe.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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