October 6–9, 2016
Frieze London
Regent’s Park
Frieze Talks 2016 invites visitors to Frieze London to hear first-hand from the world’s most influential artists, curators, musicians and cultural commentators. Taking place daily at the fair, the programme is curated by Christy Lange (Associate Editor & Curator of Public Programming, Frieze) and Gregor Muir (Executive Director, ICA, London, and incoming Director of Collection, International Art, Tate).
For the first time, Frieze Talks presents a special daily series of lunchtime discussions focusing on a single, urgent theme—“Borderlands.” From the recent “Brexit” to Donald Trump’s plans for a “border wall,” from the ongoing refugee crisis to debates over “safe spaces,” we invite artists and others to discuss the geographic, social and psychological borders that we construct and fight to break down. What role can art play in this process? Speakers include Fatima Al Qadiri, Alexandra Bachzetsis, Hannah Black, Josh Kline, Jill Magid, Ben Rivers, and many more.
The series culminates in a special Summit on Sunday in which the audience is invited to debate, pose questions and join the conversation.
In addition, Frieze Talks will host lively and intimate conversations with leading artists and cultural figures. Friday evening will feature a special discussion inspired by the 25th anniversary of frieze magazine, with Julia Peyton-Jones, Adrian Searle, Wolfgang Tillmans and Jane & Louise Wilson. On Saturday evening, writer Shumon Basar chairs a session on the imaginary and utopian possibilities of the desert. On Sunday the programme concludes with a keynote presentation by the legendary “Upsetter” himself—Jamaican dub musician and producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Schedule
Thursday, October 6
1pm: ”Borderlands / The Social”
Artist and writer Hannah Black, artist Erik van Lieshout, and performer Jonny Woo discuss the social and communal aspects of borders with curator Sarah McCrory.
Friday, October 7
1pm: “Borderlands / The Political”
Musician and artist Fatima Al Qadiri, filmmaker Omar Al-Qattan, artist Adelita Husni-Bey, and curator Pablo León de la Barra debate the role of borders in our current political climate.
5pm: “Upstarts / New ’90s Art”
Julia Peyton-Jones, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Jane & Louise Wilson join Guardian critic Adrian Searle to talk about how the landscape of contemporary art has changed in London in the last 25 years.
Saturday, October 8
1pm: “Borderlands / The Personal”
New Museum curator Lauren Cornell moderates a discussion on how artists negotiate personal and psychological boundaries in their work, with artists Alexandra Bachzetsis, Josh Kline, and Jill Magid.
5pm: “Borderlands / The Desert”
Writer and curator Shumon Basar explores the utopian and dystopian potential of the desert landscape as a source of inspiration, with artist Jananne Al-Ani, Ballroom Marfa curator Laura Copelin, and filmmaker Ben Rivers.
Sunday, October 9
1pm: “Borderlands / The Summit”
Join the conversation as we look back on the previous days’ sessions and discuss borders with the audience and special guests.
4pm: “Introducing: Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry”
Influential Jamaican musician and producer Lee “Scratch” Perry—widely regarded as the godfather of dub—reminisces on his over 50-year career as the legendary “Upsetter.”
Admission
Frieze Talks are free for Frieze London ticket-holders. Places can be booked from noon on the day of each talk at the auditorium desk.
View the full schedule and explore the archive of previous Frieze Talks at frieze.com.
