My friend Larry-Bob in San Francisco forwarded me an email from Franko B., which was a forward of an email from Emma Quinn, which was a statement on an email/announcement from Ekow Eshun, about the ICA in London’s plan to close its performance and new media program.

Apparently it was decided by the ICA and the Arts Council without any discussion or consultation or warning. I don’t know much about the program or the politics involved, but I’m not sure that I agree with Eshun’s stated reasoning which includes the following:

As an institution dedicated to the contemporary moment it is important that we continually review the timeliness and relevance of our activities and at times make decisions on that basis.

New media based arts practice continues to have its place within the arts sector. However it’s my consideration that, in the main, the art form lacks the depth and cultural urgency to justify the ICA’s continued and significant investment in a Live & Media Arts department. Following discussion with the ICA Council and the Arts Council – and agreement from both bodies – I have decided to close the department.

Somehow I doubt that the folks at ITP or EMPAC would agree. Full copy of forwarded emails follows after the jump.

From Franko B.:

DEAR FRIENDS ALL AROUND THE WORLD,

this is a bad day for art . the director of the ICA and the arts council of england have decided [without consulting with anyone] to close the performance space at ICA … THIS IS CRIMINAL.

please please, write to the director of the ICA Ekow Eshun , Artistic Director of the ICA and the arts council of england and ask them to rethink.

thank you

franko b

 From Emma Quinn:

 It is with sadness that I am writing to announce the closure of the ICA’s Live and Media Arts Department . I have included a statement by Ekow Eshun , the Artistic Director of the ICA below .

I am continuing with the programme here until the end of November 2008 and will then be looking to develop and expand the programme with other partners and venues. I will of course update you on new developments as they occur.

Thank you for your support and interest in the department ‘s projects during my time at the helm, and please do make the most of the rather full line-up running over the next couple of months. It would be wonderful if you could continue to show your support by attending what will be an exciting finale.

http://www.ica.org.uk/?lid=12173

I have enjoyed my time at the ICA tremendously and this has been a direct result of working with some fantastic artists and practitioners. The opportunity and privilege to work on the many exciting, thought- provoking and thoroughly enjoy able projects over the last 3 years, has provided me with new challenges, joy, energy, pride , insight, thrills and above all has made me very, very happy! I am very much looking forward to continuing with these established relationships as well as generating new ones in the next stage of my career.

I will be contacting every one again before I leave with my personal contact details should you wish to stay in touch.

Thank you for your time. Kind regards,

Emma

From Ekow Eshun , Artistic Director of the ICA:

Following a review of the ICA’s programming activities I have taken the decision to close the Live & Media Arts department from the end of November 2008.

The ICA has led a pioneering role in new media arts practice over the last decade and more. We are proud of that legacy. However times change. And I no longer feel that the artistic rationale for devoting considerable institutional attention to that art form – to the extent of maintaining a dedicated department to its pursuance – can be strongly made.

As an institution dedicated to the contemporary moment it is important that we continually review the timeliness and relevance of our activities and at times make decisions on that basis.

New media based arts practice continues to have its place within the arts sector. However it’s my consideration that, in the main, the art form lacks the depth and cultural urgency to justify the ICA’s continued and significant investment in a Live & Media Arts department. Following discussion with the ICA Council and the Arts Council – and agreement from both bodies – I have decided to close the department.

It’s also my view that the sheer breadth of activity that our artistic programme encompasses means that we are often stretched too thin as an organisation. Our technical, building and financial resources are under considerable strain and it is hard for us to communicate our aims to our audience with directness and clarity.

In closing the Live & Media Arts department, we will be able to invest greater resources in a more concentrated programme of activities, allowing us to create a more ambitious artistic plan for 2009/ 10. And in communication with the public, the focus of our activity will be exclusively on Visual Arts, Cinema, Talks and Music. In addition, these changes will offer the opportunit y for the Digital Studio to be reconstituted as a dedicated Education space, offering a valuable benefit to an important and growing section of our audience

Interesting…