Black Dogs
Posted by shut on 10.11.2008, 07:09 | Last update: 10.11.2008, 08:54
Andy Abbott (guitarist in 'That Fucking Tank', and more importantly for this article, a member of the Black Dogs): "I used to have a black Labrador, they're pretty clever, cute and functional." I'm glad we've established that, but we're here to talk about a different type of black dog. How does a "a loose collective of artists, designers, musicians, performers and general doers linked by their connection with Leeds" sound to you? Well listen up Loiners (that means Leeds dwellers, c'mon!) Black Dogs is a DIY 'just-for-fun' group that "has ranged from organising exhibitions in unorthodox places (the top floors of restaurants and social clubs) into self-publishing and public interventions and events."
Want to know more? Here are some fancy words, (if this means nothing to you, get an arty type to translate – we all know one):
"The underlying philosophy is to make art processes transparent, accessible and interesting to people outside of the 'art world' and to highlight the fact that it can be an appropriate method to reclaim time from the alienating mechanisms of capital.
(i.e. make non-arty people like art, and don't do it for the dollar)
Black Dogs is a loose collective – and they're all dancing to different tunes. There is no criteria from funding bodies or the art market to stick to – why, these people are free. Instead they are together creating some of the most exciting, intricate and politically aware art in Leeds. As Andy says; "Keep your nose to the wind, there's always plenty going off in Leeds and its much more fun to go hunting it out yourself rather than have it handed to you on a plate!"
visit black-dogs.org
by Tess Eaton