Kate Pelling - Statement
My current research project, provisionally titled ‘Video Performance: Knowledge Within a Simulacrum of Performance’, consists of a combined arts practice and theoretical exploration of video performance. The videos that make up my practice are entirely improvised and are reduced by the editing process to a narrative that reflects the thinking that has emerged during the improvisation. The entire project is a learning process that draws out information on the subject, focusing on the production/undermining of the performance and questioning the nature of that process.
I approach my visual practice very much as an assemblage, appropriated from Deleuze and Guattari’s A Thousand Plateaus the term includes the process of making and the form of the work as meaningful to the eventual product. The body of work could also be described purely in terms of a research process, providing me with a space to explore and investigate my theoretical concerns without the responsibility of having to complete a ‘finished’ or ‘ultimate’ piece at the end of the project.
Previous work investigated constructions of identity in the shape of Elvis Impersonation; including psychoanalytical notions of becoming, the relationship between drag and grief and exploring theory around the power of the performative within society. The three year project completed in 2008 titled ‘In Pursuit of Elvis’, consists of an assemblage of performative video, drawing, photography and theoretical writing.
Kate Pelling - CV
Education
Currently engaged with MPhil/PHD at the University of the Arts London. Provisionally titled Video Performance: Knowledge Within a Simulacrum of Performance.
MA GENDER, SEXUALITY, POLITICS AND CULTURE at Birkbeck, University of London September 2008
MA FINE ART: DRAWING (Full AHRB Award) Wimbledon School of Art Merton Hall Road London August 2004
BA(HONS) FINE ART 1st Class Honours Wirral Metropolitan College Borough Road Birkenhead Merseyside June 2003
FOUNDATION ART City of Liverpool Community College Clarence Street Liverpool June 1993
Exhibitions/Events/Everything Else
9th July 2010 ACT ART 8: Censored Islington Metal Works, London. Curated by Oliver Frost & Marc Massive www.actart.co.uk
20th April 2010 KLEINKUNST III: THE SIDESHOW The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH Screening of Wank
25th March 2010 LLGFF POST SCREENING PARTY The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY Screening of Wank
6th November 2009 Act Art 7: Children of the Damned Hidden, 100 Tinworth Street, Vauxhall, London Curated by Oliver Frost & Marc Massive www.actart.co.uk
30th October 2009 ECCA EVENT Sustaining Your Creative Identity in Self-Employment, Wimbledon College of Art, Merton Hall Road Wimbledon London Presentation on maintaining artistic integrity whilst managing a portfolio career.
14th October 2009 MOVING IMAGE RESEARCH FORUM University of the Arts London, Camberwell College of Art, Wilson Road, London SE5 8LU Presentation at Postgraduate Research Forum
13th October 2009 ANTIMATTER FILM FESTIVAL Der Spiegel at Cinecenta, University of Victoria Student Union Building, Victoria, BC, Canada http://www.antimatter.ws Screening of Get Into The Movies
12th August 2009 VIDEOHOLICA INTERNATIONAL VIDEO ART FESTIVAL 2nd Edition 4 – 13 AUGUST 2009 Varna Bulgaria http://www.videoholica.org/en_2009.htm Screening of Whipped
20th March 2009 TRANSKABARETT MAXXIMUS Presented by Jonny Woo and Ryan Styles Resistance Gallery Bethnal Green London
7th November 2008 ACT ART 6 The Arches London Bridge SE1 Curated by Oliver Frost & Marc Massive www.actart.co.uk
29th October 2008 QX MAGAZINE London Issue 712 Page 24-25 The A-Z of Act Art by Haydon Bridge
11th October 2008 IOWA CITY EXPERIMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL Iowa City IA USA www.icefilmfest.org Screening of In Pursuit of Elvis (Elvis in Pieces) and In Pursuit of Elvis (Elvis' Blow Job)
23rd September 2008 NY EXPERIMENTAL THE TANK 217 E 42nd Street New York USA www.thetanknyc.org
20th September 2008 OCULI EXPERIMENTAL FILM SHOWCASE, Bottega Gallery 208 North Front Street Wilmington North Carolina USA www.bottegagallery.com
12th September 2008 MILKBAR FILM FESTIVAL Oakland Noodle Factory Performing Arts Center Oakland California USA Screening of In Pursuit of Elvis (Elvis' Blow Job)
5th-7th September 2008 OFF/OFF Unofficial program of the OBLO FILM FESTIVAL Lausanne Switzerland Screening of In Pursuit of Elvis (Elvis' Blow Job)
14th August 2008 8th ANNUAL BEARDED CHILD FILM FESTIVAL Bedlam Theater Minneapolis Minnesota USA In Pursuit of Elvis (Elvis in Pieces) shown as part of "Places and Faces"
8th August 8 2008 8th ANNUAL BEARDED CHILD FILM FESTIVAL Grand Rapids Minnesota USA In Pursuit of Elvis (Elvis in Pieces)
24th July 2008 THE ROYAL VAUXHALL VARIETY PERFORMANCE Vauxhallville, The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY Screening of In Pursuit of Elvis (Elvis in Pieces)
23rd July 2008 Another Roadside Attraction PROJECT Griffin, Leonard Street, London
22nd July 2008 QUEER AND PERFORMANCE Seminar In Pursuit of Elvis: Performativity and Authenticity in Elvis Impersonation BIRKBECK, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
11th June 2008 Presentation In Pursuit of Elvis: Elvis Impersonation as Queer Practice BIRKBECK, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
13th March 2008 Winner of Best Dressed at 'What a Drag' VAUXHALLVILLE Royal Vauxhall Tavern Vauxhall London
27th February 2008 Another Roadside Attraction PROJECT Griffin, Leonard Street London15th February 2008 EXPLODING CINEMA Half Moon Herne Hill London
1st December 2007 Another Roadside Attraction PROJECT Griffin Leonard Street London
12th October 2007 Panel of aftershow discussion 'Theatre vs. Cabaret' CONFESSIONS OF A DANCEWHORE by Michael Twaits Oval House Theatre London
20th, 21st, 25th August, 5th, 10th September 2007 MY SUMO Sumo TV Sky Channel 144
2007 - 2008 Managing Director PERFORMATOPIA LIMITED Costumes/Wigs/Accessories for Parties and Performance
8th July 2007 Winner of Silver Medal at 'Arts Olympics' VAUXHALLVILLE Royal Vauxhall Tavern Vauxhall London
September 2005 - present KATE PELLING - EQUIVOCATE www.katepelling.com
29th October 2004 - February 2005 QUESTIONMARK WAIT ERROR UNDERSTOOD Museum of Contemporary Art Kaunas Lithuania
9th - 14th July 2004 EXTENSION Wimbledon School of Art MA Degree Show Merton Hall Road Wimbledon London
9th June - 11th June 2004 LINE LION LYING Centre for Drawing Wimbledon School of Art Merton Hall Road Wimbledon London
March 2004 2X2 Wimbledon School Of Art Merton Hall Road Wimbledon London
14th June - 29th June 2003 DEGREE SHOW 2003 Williamson Art Gallery Birkenhead Wirral
9th May - 20th June 2003 ARTISTS IN HALTON HOSPITAL Castle Park Arts Centre Frodsham Cheshire
10th October 2002 INSIDE MY MIND Halton Plate Project venues across Runcorn and Widnes August - September 2002 Norton Priory Runcorn Cheshire
June 2002 ARTISTS IN HALTON HOSPITAL Halton Hospital Runcorn Cheshire
April - May 2001 OFF THE RAILS Pacific Road Birkenhead Wirral