BUNK: Celebrating 60 Years of the Independent Group

It’s 60 years since the Independent Group first met, and the work is attracting increased attention on an international scale. This two day event celebrates the Independent Group’s legacy at the very institution which first fostered and encouraged it. Contributors explore the history and legacy of the Independent Group in relation to art, architecture, design, material culture, photography and critical theory.

The main aim of the conference is to bring together researchers from around the world who are working on aspects of the Independent Group, to pool their knowledge about this historical phenomenon, and share this with a more general audience. The Group represents a key moment in the history of British art and architecture. Although it only met between 1952-5, the issues explored by the members, including architects Alison and Peter Smithson, James Stirling and Colin St John Wilson; artists Magda Cordell, Richard Hamilton, Nigel Henderson, John McHale, Eduardo Paolozzi and Nigel Henderson; and writers Lawrence Alloway, Reyner Banham and Toni del Renzio, continue to resonate today. The history of the Independent Group has come under increased scrutiny internationally over the past ten years, and this event will provide an opportunity for researchers to meet and share their enthusiasm with each other and with a broader audience at the ICA.

Curated by Anne Massey, speakers include Juan Cabello Arribas, Benjamin H.D. Buchloh, Beatriz Colomina, Barry Curtis, Ben Cranfield, Charlie Gere, Dirk van den Heuvel, Ben Highmore, Richard Hornsey, Stephen Kite, Alex Seago, John-Paul Stonard, Andrew Kim Tyler and Victoria Walsh. There will also be film screenings, including unseen excerpts from the Turnbull Studio film, Beyond Time and a BUNK display in the ICA Studio.

For more information, contact Victoria Sanchez at bunk@ica.org.uk

The event represents the first stage of a collaboration between The School of Art and Design History at Kingston University and the ICA, and is supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.