Index 19: Highlights of Control

Index 19 presents an evening about the legendary magazine Control, published by artist Stephen Willats since 1965 in London. The magazine is an ongoing format in the work of Willats, presenting his own projects, but also contributions from other artists and writers, and serves in this way as a unique entry into the history of socially engaged art.

The scheduled presentation by Antony Hudek unfortunately had to be cancelled due to unforeseen reasons.

Control was founded by Willats as an editorial and research platform, long before expressions such as “artistic research” and “editorial platform” were common. More exceptional is the fact that Willats continues to edit Control magazine to this day, now in its 19th issue. Published every few years, Control charts Willats’ career from his cybernetic beginnings to his later social projects, and acts as a space where artists, designers and theorists could come together around subjects such as social practice, behaviorism, urbanism and pedagogy. This talk will describe each issue of Control, highlighting some of the theoretical and artistic tropes running through this unique artistic endeavor. The highlights will reflect the moments in the magazine’s history that will feature prominently in the retrospective exhibition devoted to Control, scheduled at Objectif Exhibitions, Antwerp, for Autumn 2016.

Antony Hudek is director of Objectif Exhibitions, Antwerp. From 2012 to 2014 he was research curator, Tate Liverpool, and senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, where he founded and convened the Exhibition Research Centre. From 2014 until joining Objectif he was curator and deputy director of Raven Row, London. Together with Sara De Bondt he runs the publishing house Occasional Papers.

Tickets can be bought in advance by payments through Swish (+46 73 9371250, please indicate the number of tickets and the reference: Control). Once we received payment the tickets can be picked up anytime before the event at Index’ office. Tickets can be also bought during opening hours, payments by cash or cards.