The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity 2.0 - Art at the Alison Richard Building

Exhibition:
25 September – 17 November 2023
Open weekdays from 9am – 7pm

An exhibition of 40+ contemporary artists exploring the terrain of anxiety or uncomfortable ‘between-ness’.

The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity is an ongoing practice-based research project by artist-curator duo, Sarah Strachan and Ayeshah Zolghadr. Critical interdisciplinarity seeks to ‘intervene, disrupt, and deconstruct’ and is ‘always transformative in some way’ and it is this potential that can induce anxiety. An elevated thumping or irregular heartbeat, faster breathing, a churning feeling in your stomach and light-headedness; these are all familiar effects of anxiety on the human body. Often regarded as a negative state of ‘distress’, non-clinical anxiety might be defined as ‘experiencing failure in advance’.

At Art at the ARB, the duo present ‘The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity 2.0’, which acknowledges interdisciplinarity as a potential site of ambivalence, tension or a fertile ground for exploration and experimentation. This contemporary art exhibition seeks a counterpoint to anxiety, where a struggle emerges to articulate the feelings with anticipation and excitement — recognising ‘eustress’ as a potential stimulus for ‘the important work…done at the surfaces between adjacent disciplines’.

Curated over four floors of the Alison Richard Building, ‘The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity 2.0’ brings together over 40 artists working across and between: digital media; drawing; mixed-media; painting; performance; printmaking; sculpture; sound; textile; and video. The exhibition offers an opportunity to initiate conversations and trigger unexpected connections between visitors, artists, artworks and practices.

Curator biographies

The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity is a practice-based research collaboration between artist-curator duo, Sarah Strachan and Ayeshah Zolghadr.

Sarah Strachan is a transdisciplinary artist interested in how our perception of being in, knowing and belonging to the world affects our ecological awareness and thinking. She explores her ideas through printmaking, painting and ceramics; often fusing sound or moving image into the final installation.

Ayeshah Zolghadr is an interdisciplinary artist exploring the interface between digital and analogue technologies often through abstractions of the grid. Her interests lie in translating repetitive mark making into 3D forms and back again in pursuit of individuated copies.

Exhibitors

The exhibition continues online at anxietyofinterdisciplinarity.com

Opening reception
Thursday, 28 September from 5pm – 7pm | Register for this event
Floor 1, Alison Richard Building

Join us in person for the opening reception of The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity 2.0, an exciting exhibition that explores the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinary collaboration. This event brings together artists from across contemporary art practice who have responded to the curators’ open call and provocation exploring the important work to be done at the boundaries between disciplines.

Open Saturday
30 September from 11am – 5pm | Register for this event
All floors, Alison Richard Building

Join us in person for a thought-provoking and interactive event, The Anxiety of Interdisciplinarity 2.0 — Open Saturday. We are excited to welcome you to Art at the Alison Richard Building and provide an opportunity to explore the exhibition at the weekend. With artwork from over 40 contemporary artists, throughout the day there will be film screenings, artist talks and performances. It’s a chance for individuals to consider the challenges and opportunities that arise when different disciplines come together through art practice.

Exhibition:25 September – 17 November 2023Open weekdays from 9am – 7pm

Curator biographies

Exhibitors

Opening receptionThursday, 28 September from 5pm – 7pm | Register for this eventFloor 1, Alison Richard Building

Open Saturday30 September from 11am – 5pm | Register for this eventAll floors, Alison Richard Building

Exhibition:
25 September – 17 November 2023
Open weekdays from 9am – 7pm

Opening reception
Thursday, 28 September from 5pm – 7pm | Register for this event
Floor 1, Alison Richard Building

Open Saturday
30 September from 11am – 5pm | Register for this event
All floors, Alison Richard Building