Alexandre Bettler
Printed Matter
6 - 31 July, 2011
As part of the London Literature Festival's State of the Nation, the Saison Library's photocopier has been modified into a poetry machine containing pre-printed text of extracts adopted from current British political party websites. Participation is integral to the outcome and by following the instructions seven step guide, citizens are invited to contribute their own subjective interests to an artist’s book edition of Random Poetry Policies. Handwritten messages merge with political dogma to create surprising and often humorous turns of phrase. Bettler appears to advocate the importance of 'having fun'. But the random, uncontrollable outcome, initiated by a dictum of instructions, belies this enjoyable experience. As the printed copies pile up into a mass of paperwork, where is the meaning to the message behind Britain's political jargon and what impact can citizens' participation really achieve?
Alexandre Bettler graduated from Royal College of Art with an MA in Communication in 2005. He has exhibited and facilitated workshops at the V&A, Barbican and Somerset House (Super Design Market), and runs a design studio amongst other activities including DesignMarketo, Reflect-Please, Panatopia, Helvetic Centre and Modern Activity.
The exhibition continues in the Southbank Centre Members Bar on Level 6 of the Royal Festival Hall.
Artist's Book Workshop: The Poetry Machine
Saturday 9 July & Sunday 10 July, 2-4.30pm
Bookings:
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FREE
Join Alexandre Bettler on The Poetry Machine's production line, to extrapolate an edition of hand bound books. Suitable for all ages.
Prompted by the Festival of Britain celebrations, Art on Poetry is a dedicated season of artists' books at the Saison Poetry Library. Twelve internationally acclaimed artists are given a rare opportunity to draw upon Southbank Centre's archives and re-consider British identity sixty years on.
The Saison Poetry Library is situated on the fifth level of the Royal Festival Hall and open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11am - 8pm.
| Antonio Claudio Carvalho | 20th April - 22th May |
| Hellicar and Lewis | 20th April - 29th May |
| Meghana Bisineer | 1st June - 3rd July |
| Godfried Donkor | 1st June - 3rd July |
| Alexandre Bettler | 6th July - 31st July |
| Alex Czinczel | 6th July - 31st July |
| Oona Grimes | 6th July - 31st July |
| GOTOTEN | 3rd - 28th August |
| Katherine Jones | 3rd - 28th August |
| Alex Knell | 31st August - 25th September |
| Dawn Scarfe | 31st August - 25th September |
| Martin Sexton | 31st August - 25th September |
Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am - 8pm.
Saison Poetry Library
Level 5
Royal Festival Hall
London SE1 8XX
Phone: 020 7921 0943 / 020 7921 0664
Underground stations: Waterloo & Embankment
Railway stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East & Charing Cross
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | www.poetrylibrary.org.uk | www.southbankcentre.co.uk
