Auto Italia, London, 08 July 2019 — 08 September 2019
Julian Abraham “Togar”, Marleen Boschen, Kate Cooper, Ali Eisa, Sulafa Hijazi, Kareem Lotfy, Jamal Nxedlana, Christelle Oyiri, Daniela Ortiz and Grace Samboh
Unorganised Response Reader, 2019, Various Authors. Installation view of Unorgansied Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy of the artists. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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Unorganised Response, 2019, Julian Abraham “Togar”, Kareem Lotfy, Christelle Oyiri and Grace Samboh. Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy the artists. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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image processing(williamblakejerusalemplate33), 2019, Kareem Lofty. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy of the artist. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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image processing(williamblakejerusalemplate33), 2019, Kareem Lofty. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy of the artist. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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image processing(williamblakejerusalemplate33), 2019, Kareem Lofty. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy of the artist. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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Jatiwangi Cup Calendar, 2016, Julian Abraham “Togar” and Grace Samboh. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy of the artists. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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Jatiwangi Cup Calendar, 2016, Julian Abraham “Togar” and Grace Samboh. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy of the artists. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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Collective Amnesia (Call and Response), 2019, Christelle Oyiri. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy the artists. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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Collective Amnesia (Call and Response), 2019, Christelle Oyiri. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy the artists. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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Collective Amnesia (Call and Response), 2019, Christelle Oyiri. Installation view of Unorganised Response, 2019, Auto Italia, London, UK. Courtesy the artists. Photographer: Lucy Parakhina.
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Unorganised Response explores the ways in which artistic production is used as a tool for influence by organisations engaged in international cultural relations and diplomacy. Bringing together artists, activists and community organisers, this project asks how creative workers navigate local and international cultural infrastructures when commissioned to build connections, engender trust, and respond to complex geopolitical events.

Throughout this programme we encounter a pervasive image of an ideal creative worker who is autonomous, transnational and readily mobilised, employed to facilitate the soft power politics of repair, healing and regeneration under the guise of cultural development. How does working in this way affect artists’ experiences of belonging, representation and cultural ownership?

Unorganised Response launches with an exhibition at Auto Italia featuring works from Kareem Lotfy, Christelle Oyiri and Grace Samboh + Julian Abraham “Togar”. The exhibition explores the ways in which artists mobilise critically and collectively to resist being reduced to their various identity markers, through a series of projects that explore advocacy and self-organisation through personal and often celebratory experiences.

The exhibition features a publication of conversations co-commissioned by Auto Italia and Cemeti Institute for Contemporary Art and Society in Yogyakarta, which includes contributions from Marleen Boschen, Kate Cooper, Ali Eisa, Sulafa Hijazi, Daniela Ortiz, Christelle Oyiri, Jamal Nxedlana, Grace Samboh and Julian Abraham “Togar”. The publication brings together artists’ experiences of the politics of representation, community organising and educational work.

The exhibition and publication has been supported by Arts Council England, British Council Indonesia, Cemeti – Institute for Art and Society, Fluxus Art Projects, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London and Tower Hamlets Council. Research and development phases of this project have been supported by Arts Council England and Goethe-Institut London.

Auto Italia’s commissions are made possible by our Exhibition Circle and Member supporters.

Exhibition tour with Cécile B Evans
10 Jul 2019 — 11 Jul 2019

A breakfast preview of Unorganised Response led by Cécile B Evans for benefactors of our Members and Supporters programmes.

Technology Workshops for Young People in East London
22 Jul 2019 — 24 Jul 2019

An art and technology workshop for young people creating visual responses to the exhibition Unorganised Response.

Closing Event for Unorganised Response
08 Sep 2019, 14:00 — 16:00

An afternoon of music organised by Christelle Oyiri, featuring works by Deborah Findlater, Kareem Lotfy and Josiane Pozi.

Marleen Boschen, Kate Cooper, Ali Eisa, Sulafa Hijazi, Daniela Ortiz, Christelle Oyiri, Jamal Nxedlana, Grace Samboh and Julian Abraham “Togar”

Unorganised Response Publication

Ruci Art Space

Ulah Tanah (Mischievous Earth) by Julian Abraham “Togar”

ArtForum

Lizzie Homersham on Critics Picks: Unorganised Response

Nero

Auto Italia in conversation with artists Julian Abraham “Togar” and Grace Samboh on Jatiwangi Bodybuilding Cup

AQNB

Jade Barget on Auto Italias Evasive Unorganised Response Group Show