New Demo’s Pamphlet: Expressive Lives.

Expressive Lives by Samuel Jones

Authors: Samuel Jones
Publication Type: Collections
Publication Date: 2009-07-06
ISBN: 978-1-906693-19-0
Cost: 10 pounds.
Free download pdf.

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The following #hashtag has also been used in reference to this pamphlet: #expressivelives

The website has the following blurb:

‘This collection of essays examines the idea of ‘expressive life’, as introduced by Bill Ivey. It helps us to see creativity and heritage as the fabric of our society that gives meaning and value to our lives. Contributors from across the creative and cultural sectors look at the effects of changes in our behaviour towards cultural institutions, developments in technology and the global exchange of different attitudes and beliefs. These combine with political uncertainty and economic upheaval to put culture and creativity at the heart of debate about the future of our communities and international relations.’

My thoughts:

This is a very interesting pamphlet from a think tank that seems to be churning out progressive and well thought out ideas, often concerning the cultural sector. In this pamphlet, chapter eight, specifically discusses cultural heritage, entitled ‘Heritage and the struggle for cultural democracy’ and authored by Roshi Naidoo. It was interesting to me to note that Robert Hewison is credited as having read and given comments on the pamphlet, and despite his not having any chapter, it has the feel of his ideas floating throughout… which is a massive plus for me – I’m a big fan of his work!

The pamphlet as a whole seems to be pushing towards a cultural life of value to those living it (the public), rather than of value as consumers for corporate powers and government propaganda. There are many wonderful ideas – and highly quotable lines – within the pamphlet, and I am sure it will very soon become one of my favourite Demos pamphlets. I would however argue that the ideas within the pamphlet are not new to many conservators, but, that it would be worth conservators reading the pamphlet to hear these ideas explicitly, and succinctly put.

I will pick out one quote that I think cuts to the bones of the discourse:

“if cultural heritage is to play a role in articulating our expressive lives it needs to give voice to the contestations, conflicts and intercultural interactions which have made those art forms and shaped our sensibilities. This is at odds with many of the uses to which heritage is put, be it in tourist marketing, shaping the national curriculum, selling Britain through the Olympics, or asking migrants and asylum seekers to assimilate.” (Roshi Naidoo)

I believe it is one of the most essential tasks of the conservator today, and it is a role I hope this blog is exploring, this was at least one of the intentions!

The Guardian wrote this article which mentions the pamphlet:

Charlotte Higgins. 2009. The birth of Twitter art The Guardian.