Rights of Way
Marcia Farquhar, Paul Beuchat, Carl y Simon, Alexander Garcia Düttmann, Alexander Hidalgo, Niki Kyriakidou, Monika Oechsler and Simon Patterson

Artworks are claiming Southwark Park. It is their right of way!

The artists in Rights of Way wish to interact with the public during their ‘break’ at the Park. London is famous for its parks and Londoners feel that these are part and parcel of their experience of urban living. People walk their dogs, jog, play games, or simply go to create a ‘breather’ in their living routine.

During these activities, they will encounter art works placed throughout the park. This reflects on the presence of 2 art-spaces in the Park, and also creates a kind of opening of the gallery (and of the artists) to their public.

The exhibition engages the public by reflecting their concerns with the park; it does this by addressing them in a language that they would normally have had to make a specific journey to experience. The works in the exhibition claim a right to do this by being presented in the public realm, in direct encounter with the user of the park.

Collaborators Carl y Simon present It's just political correctness gone mad, playing on how visitors to the park may have their visit to the Park controlled. Marcia Farquhar will be presenting The Better Picnic on Wed 27 May, the day of the private view. The event aims to engage with hierarchy and history. This real live picnic will be the departure point for an impromptu study of difference, class and the uses of public space. All comers are welcome and encouraged to bring a 'picnic', but should be advised that they will be asked to share with strangers.

Alexander García Düttmann has written a text responding to the same proposal as the artists. This text discusses nature and art through the eyes of Adorno, and Simon Patterson’s sound piece echoes our love of football while simultaneously bringing forth other cultural issues.

For details of all the works see the Cafe Gallery Projects website.

These works call upon the public to claim their right to promenade or play at the park. They will encourage visitors to engage openly and knowledgeably with a London park that has a great investment in the London Arts scene.

Curated by Martin Rasmussen.