“Thinking outside the box…”

As an archivist its always an exciting experience working with artists. They can approach the collections in your care in new and unexpected ways, producing stimulating and challenging new work as part of their encounter with the archive.

The archives of the filmmaker Lindsay Anderson have been a source of inspiration and exploration for the artist Stephen Sutcliffe for many years as he notes in his contribution to our exhibition Never Apologise which is on display in the Macrobert until the 21 May.

To coincide with our Anderson exhibition we are delighted to welcome Stephen to the Macrobert for a special event where we will discuss how the use of archives informs his creative practice. The event will also include the opportunity to watch a rarely-seen Anderson film chosen by Stephen for its contemporary echoes. Written by Alan Bennett The Old Crowd was a television play set at a dinner party taking place in a society fraying at the edges. Broadcast on ITV in January 1979 Anderson noted that it was greeted with “an almost flattering unanimity of outrage.” Does it still have the power to shock and challenge the viewer? You can decide for yourself on the 26 April.

Karl Magee

University Archivist