DIY: 2018 – Joanne Matthews: Wild Philosophy: Raving, Running, Reading

An intensive countryside retreat, reading theory and philosophy for women who are scared to do so, channeling punk, rave energies and radical sensitivity

Deadline for applications: 5pm, Mon 18 June
This DIY is supported by Chapter

Project summary

The academic world is a hierarchical and dusty place of power, a place that often feels exclusive. This DIY is about breaking down the class privilege of academia and valuing responses to reading theories which are immediate, bodily and fun. The big players in theory and philosophy are often white and male, this project aims distort this power relationship. We will spend time reading philosophers and thinkers who are female, from a mixture of racial backgrounds.

This 2 day, 3 night retreat will involve reading together, channelling punk, rave energies and radical sensitivity. Activities could include a drinking game with Angela Davis, a rave in our pants with Simone De Beauvoir and running through rugged moorland with Iris Murdoch. We'll explore ways of being together and philosophising with communal eating and living. You´ll be encouraged to step outside reading using just your mind, listen to your bodies and to one another in a safe and welcoming space where people can be bold and silly in their experimentation.

How to apply

This DIY is open to those who identify as female and non-binary, strictly no men. This retreat is for artists, outdoorsy types aged over the age of 18. You'll be of any level of experience in life or stage in your practice. You'll need to have some level of interest in reading philosophy and theory but by no means be an academic or an expert. This is not a retreat for people who are well read, although any level of knowledge is welcome. Applicants should have an interest in working and living in a group and willing to get your kit off in front of others at some points during the weekend.

While this is open to all bodies as much as possible, participants will need to be able to walk and run safely across country.

The online application asks about your interest in participating in the DIY, and your current favourite punk or rave tracks. We also ask your age as we want to ensure participants from a broad range of ages take part.

Dates, times and location

Dates: 31 Aug – 3 Sep 2018
Location: Capel y Graig, Furnace, Wales

Food and accommodation is provided for participants, and some financial support is available for those who need help with their travel.

The artist

Joanne (JoJo) Matthews is an artist, producer, researcher, and labourer. Her practice is embedded in long term research and fieldwork. Currently she is interested in researching and developing a body of work concerned with fear and isolation within society. She's experimenting with using punk energy and imagining the rugged British landscape as a sounding board, as a backdrop and as a knowledge base. Her work is concerned by the complex systems we live by and often how these connect to nature. Throughout her career she have focussed on working directly with art and non art audiences, through producing, audience development, activism and working and living in small farming and permaculture communities.

For questions about this DIY, please contact JoJo.