Living in the Trough of a Wave: Exploring the world of J.G. Ballard

Project Leaders: Pil and Galia Kollectiv, Jeremy Millar

Number of participants: 10-15

Duration: 3 days

Description:
Over two days we will explore the writing, visual and film work of J. G. Ballard through a series of talks, reading seminars, screenings, visits and workshops.

Special consideration will be given to the complex relationships between science fiction, art, architecture and writing in Ballard’s work in our attempt to explore the author’s concept of ‘myths of the near Future’.

Ballard encouraged us to look at the landscapes of late modernism as disaster zones where the psychology, social structures and cultural respectability of the bourgeoisie have long ceased to function.

We will focus our attention on one of those disaster areas and ask students to respond, in practical work produced collaboratively by the group, to a study trip to Westfield shopping mall.

Azure Day 1937 Yves Tanguy 1900-1955 Accepted by HM Government in lieu of tax on the estate of Cynthia Fraser, Chairman of the Friends of the Tate Gallery 1965-71, and allocated to the Tate Gallery 1996 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T07080

Timetable:

Monday

10:00 –11:00 – Introduction

11:15-13:00 – Reading Seminar: selection of short stories

13:00-14:00 – Lunch

14:00-16:00 – Ballard and visual art

Wednesday

10:00 –11:00 – Ballard on film

11:15-13:00 -Film Viewing

13:00-14:00 – Lunch

14:00-16:00 – A new psychology for tomorrow: work towards a collaborative project

Follow-up activity (Date to be confirmed):

Planned follow-up activity: a meeting to discuss outcome of collaborative project and a

potential event where it will be presented.