Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre

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23–25 June 2023

Friday Eve

- Framing the close reading

Saturday Morning

- Presentation by Simon(e)

Saturday Afternoon

- Digesting walk

- Consent workshop

Sunday Morning

- Informal talk with Simon(e) and break out sessions

Sunday Afternoon

- Reflection + Departure

Close Readings: Against Ageism with Simon(e) Van Saarloos

What are the ways that chronological time maps our lives, moving us through categories of 'childhood', 'youth', 'adult', 'middle age', 'old', and finally 'too old, to...' ?

Different age groups are seen, within Western societies, as being more or less valuable - which is inherently linked to capitalist ableisms, divided as those fit for labour, and those not.

In their recently published book - 'Against Ageism', Simon(e) Van Saarloos creates a queer manifesto, looking at the ways which categories of age function to support white supremacist patriarchy. The text argues that queer attempts to heal violence by setting up frameworks of consent, can mistakenly reproduce legal-type language, without examining how we are all affected by that language. This is decolonial, transfeminist, sex-liberation work which we welcome over this years' Summer Solstice gathering!

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Simon(e) van Saarloos is the author of Playing Monogamy, Take 'Em Down. Scattered Monuments and Queer Forgetting and Against Ageism: A Queer Manifesto.

Other work includes the short sci-fi story "Dreamdead Surrender" (Postmodern Culture Journal) and De Foetushemel, a theater play about abortion and violent resistance for Ulrike Quade Company at Bellevue Theater Amsterdam.

Van Saarloos also works as an independent curator. They are currently undertaking a PhD in Rhetoric at the University of California, Berkeley.

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Tickets for the weekend are available by emailing BOARC, or texting: o7385 295 328

£90 - Two nights accommodation, food and events

£120 - Two nights accommodation, food and events

It is possible to come during the day, however participants should commit to joining for both full days.

£30 - 2 day event only

£50 - 2 day event & food

We have made 2 free spaces for this event, please mail us if you would struggle to attend without this supported space.

If you would like to avoid additional fees, email us to confirm your place and pay via Bank Transfer.

The weekend runs Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an artistic research centre?

In the arts, just like in the sciences, research is conducted in the process of making or experimenting. Practitioners take time, and focus attention on the way that they conduct their practice – however it fits into a discipline, or sits outside many. The process of doing research in the arts varies greatly, and there is no one methodology which applies to all. This artistic research centre is a space where people can come to explore different methods of working, have time for reflection, and get feedback from other practitioners.

What do you mean by self-organising?

The stewards are here to support the building and its resources. The building and its resources are here to support you and your work. While the project is all about trying to make things possible, stewards are already fully occupied with administration and practicalities and can not be expected to support the needs of your personal practice too.

Why is it only possible to stay for a minimum of two nights?

It’s not possible for people to stay for one night only, as this tends to take away from the community’s resources rather than add to it - not to mention the extra laundry costs!

Why is it only possible to stay for a maximum of one month?

In order for this resource to be shared by multiple different groups and individuals, stay is capped at one month. This keeps the space flowing and stops areas becoming territorialised unintentionally. As this is a study site, it is not possible to just live here, though we understand study takes many different forms and doesn’t always appear “productive”.

Why is there a sliding scale?

Many of the decisions we make here at BOARC focus on keeping this resource available for practitioners. The sliding scale helps us to offer a subsidised rate to people who would benefit.

Why is it important to read the values?

through the values carefully and make a decision for themselves about whether they feel aligned. It is not important to share all of these values exactly as they are written, but you should be aware that this is an actively anti-racist, anti-ableist, intersectional feminist site, and there are accountability guidelines in place here for users, stayers, stewards and organisers alike.[Link to values here]