The Field Report as an Assembling Publication
David Dellafiora and Susan Hartigan
Abstract: Field Study was formed in 1993 by Benedict Phillips, Eamonn Kirwin and David Dellafiora as a means of exchanging artworks, developing correspondences and producing performances and publications. It has issued manifestos, published assembling books and limited edition works and collaborated with community organisations and arts groups. Its principal publication is The Field Report: Journal of Field Study International.
This paper will examine the conceptual and historical origins of The Field Report as an intentionally alternative and exploratory artist book, premised on notions of reciprocity and exchange, in which the “author” is decentred and The Field Report itself subject to further interventions as it travels through the post. We will explore how Field Study’s core framing concepts of “the field”, “manifestation” and “emanation” effect the artworks produced for the assembling publication, and how movements such as Fluxus and Dada, along with Mail Art, have influenced form and content of individual pages and the artist book as a whole. The concept of “the field” is contemporaneous with Bourdieu’s description of the field as “a zone of social activity”.
This paper will investigate how the notion of “the field” has developed as a collaborative and inclusive space in which all contributors are welcome.
The Field Report, now in its 26th year of production, was originally a means of documenting artistic activities and interventions over a calendar year. The publication has a durational and performative element that responds to international events both cultural and political. The relationships of The Field Report to Field Study’s other assembling publications (Wipe, KART and ReSite) and side projects such as Retail Cargo Cult, No Frills Art and Books Beyond Boundaries will also be considered.
About:
David is a cultural worker, teacher and conceptual artist whose practice encompasses public art, artists' books, multiples, mail art, and installation.
He is the coordinator of the neo-Fluxus network, Field Study, and publisher of KART, Wipe, Resite, and the Journal of Field Study International. David combines his art practice with teaching at genU’s Participate program and community art projects, most recently with Geelong After Dark. He has performed and exhibited at BABE (Bristol Artist Book Event) and was featured in the State Library of Victoria’s traveling exhibition SELF MADE: Zines and Artist Books.
Sue is a community development worker, photographer and occasional arts writer. She has managed a neighbourhood house, worked for a professional theatre company and twice been a district coordinator for Mountain to Mouth. She was the convener of Noise Scavengers, a Geelong based sound art ensemble, and performed with them at Created and Cremated’s finale at Footscray Community Arts Centre.
She has exhibited with Geelong Arts Alliance, presented work at Geelong After Dark and elsewhere, curates the Rachinger Gallery at Eastern Hub and is the producer of Backyard Peepers.
