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Piero Gilardi, Molinette hospital against medical tickets, 1985

Piero Gilardi, Molinette hospital against medical tickets, 1985

Events - Talks

Anti-Psychiatry and its Legacies

12 Feb 2013 - 13 Feb 2013

 

 

Tue 12 and Wed 13 February

Free

The Space

Piero Gilardi’s work with marginalised communities, including those confined to mental hospitals, was influenced by Italian psychiatrist Franco Basaglia (1924-80). Alongside Michel Foucault, R.D. Laing, Felix Guattari and Thomas Szasz, Basaglia contributed to the diverse foundations of the radical anti-psychiatry movement; he argued that all asylums should be replaced by open therapeutic communities, a controversial position which provoked both mental health reform and inspired socially-activist approaches to artistic practice.

Over two evenings, a programme of screenings and discussions focuses on different national contexts involved in the development of Anti-Psychiatry and questions its status as an interdisciplinary critical legacy bridging philosophy with creative and clinical practice. This is then followed by an informal talk by artist and activist the vacuum cleaner.

Tuesday 12 February, 6 - 9pm
Part I

Wednesday 13 February, 6 - 9pm
Part II

Comments

 
Added Thursday, 14 February, 2013
Great event Nottingham Contemporary. I was particularly impressed with Reggio, who clearly has a LOT to share and who engaged with the comment about service closure in an excellent manner and in a way that demonstrates a real knowledge of issues: "participation" "spatial strategies" "democratic processes" - these aren't just buzzwords but lived concepts. It was interesting how he mentioned "diverse voices" and did not merely say "the mad" or the "schizophrenic", he was also the only one of the two evenings to refer to legislation: "the legal representation of illness and the lived reality of illness". I think, or something like that. Caygill and Foot, who are admirable and established scholars in their own right, were also exceptional. But really, I have never heard anyone speak on Brazil within / on such a context in the UK. Getting these three in the same place at the same time was an incredible achievement. Sterling job Nottingham Contemporary! It would be great to interview these guys outside of a presentation setting, because we can see that in the discussion they begin to open up the archive so to speak...
Isaura Provin
 
Added Thursday, 14 February, 2013
Fantastic seeing someone speak on Brazil in detail possibly for the first time in such a context in the UK and with such scope (I haven't seen it done yet). Reggio has a LOT to share not just with academics but also practitioners, as do Caygill and Foot (both established and respected scholars in their own right - I picked up a copy of one of Caygill's works today). What impressed me about these three was their simplicity, knowledge and openness. The Q&A session demonstrated an important mix of knowledge, experience and sensitivity especially when the issue was raised about a therapeutic center being closed / service being halted. Congratulations Nottingham, for an inspiring event. Maybe next time the possibility for engagement (participation?) from the online audience. Part II was also captivating with three thought-provoking presentations...
J lee
 
Added Tuesday, 12 February, 2013
I really like the event, although it could have been offered the possibility of seeing the film or at least a link to watch the film from a different source. Fantastic presentation from the researcher from Brazil. It also could have been offered the possibility of making questions and/or contributions online, while streaming alive. Looking forward for tomorrow. thanks,
Alexandre Gieseke

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