Why do we seek out, collect and keep things and objects? Holding them dear in our minds and hands? Finding in them a connection that cannot quite be expressed in words of rational calm? Interested in exploring the subject of connection? Then this is the exhibition opportunity for you.

The Call of Things and Objects

"It is easier to love that which does not answer back at us provocatively and that doesn’t derail us from our pleasant daily path." (João Ferro Martins)

Why do we seek out, collect and keep things and objects? Holding them dear in our minds and hands? Finding in them a connection that cannot quite be expressed in words of rational calm?

Jane Bennett describes a very different and alternative viewpoint to our current cultural position on inanimate objects. Using a term Bennett has coined, "thing-power", she asserts that this atunement to things, this different, altered way of perceiving and relating to things, is perhaps bound in an increased perception of things as more than just objects; a recognition of an invisible meaning within a visible object.

"If this 'call' from things is taken seriously, taken, that is, more than a figure of speech, more than a projection of voice onto some inanimate stuff, more than an instance of the pathetic fallacy. What if things really can (in an undetermined way) hail us and offer a glimpse, through a window that opens, of lively bodies unparsed into subject and objects?" (Bennett, 2012:240).

As self-confessed hoarders of significant items that sing silently to us, we invite you to apply to work with us to explore the idea of connection through the items we hold dear.

We are a group of Yr 2 Fine Art students at UCA in Farnham. We are keen to work alongside an emerging artist who would be interested in exploring this idea with us. We aim to create an alternative type of exhibition that will directly challenge the audience to experience art works in an unpredictable manner. The successful applicant would be invited to help shape the exhibition through curatorial practice. The applicants existing work that relates to our theme, or new work that is made in response to our theme would be showcased at the resulting exhibition in late February 2023.

This exhibition opportunity is free.