Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre

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23–25 September 2022

friday

day - snag list (cleaning, plastering, sanding, digging)

night - leisure

saturday

day - snag list continued (polishing, painting, waxing, planting)

night - pleasure

sunday

rest & relax

Overalls Weekend

Stick your name on the list at enquiries@bidstonobservatory.org

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On the final weekend of September, we're inviting any folks interested in helping with the extended snag repair list that has built up over the last year here at Bidston Observatory. Dishing out the paintbrushes, feather dusters and screwdrivers - as well as copious hot beverages - we're hoping to get all those jobs done that require a little more focused attention ahead of the colder months. We're talking hard to reach spots like behind the radiators, painting the ceilings that have begun to peel, and doing the big furniture repairs / rearrangements aka THE DEEP CLEAN!

There'll be some carpentry jobs, a fair bit of gardening and more than enough painting to fill a couple days out. We'll kick back in the evenings with some films or music and a big team scran. Free to stay from 10am on Friday 23rd September to Sunday 25th September, we'll run through a couple days of work (Friday/Saturday) with the extended group before enjoying the spoils of our hard work by resting on the Sunday.

We're really not very sure if anyone actually wants to help do the cleaning around here - but it seems fair (read: aspirational) to say that there are only limited spaces available. So if you fancy it - we'll provide meals and beds, if you provide your intentional, loving labour - please send an email and we'll put you down for the weekend.

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]