Revolver was a six week project in an ex-car showroom on the Penzance seafront, organised by artists Jesse Leroy Smith and Volker Stox. Showing some large-scale ambitious works, video art and projections onto the façade, each week had a different show - with, of course, its own launch party every Friday night.

Lick spoke to Jesse Leroy Smith about making it all happen.

Why did you decide to do this show?
There are a lot of 'progressive' artists here and a colourful bohemian crowd. However it is often difficult to find venues to portray the depth of talent that is seething under the conventional face of the arts in Cornwall. Even in city centres, warehouse or makeshift buildings are harder to rent, let alone squat. Without spontaneous and underground activity any cultural scene will be compromised.

This series of shows was dependent on securing the ex car showroom on Penzance seafront as a venue, the building and its location enabled us to show large-scale ambitious artworks. We could show a diverse range of media including a night of video art, with projections onto its façade. It was not only about artistic freedom but creating a social hub where everyone felt free to share ideas and meet new people.


Where did the different show every week idea come from? Has this been done anywhere before?
Once the project started it had a life of its own. A core group of 17 artists naturally expanded to 60 as new blood infiltrated our shows. We set out to exhibit established to graduate artists, and have traditional painters rub shoulders with cutting-edge installation artists. By having a new show each week we could try out different ideas.

 The Newlyn Art gallery has a project each year, where artists use the space for 3-4days each. Many artists involved in Revolver have exploited this experience and that format influenced our idea. However a main objective was our focus on Friday night parties. For this to be viable be wanted new work by new artists, so it was natural to choose a revolving programme.  
 
Was the launch every Friday and social angle an important part of the concept?
Much as we enjoy sitting quietly looking at great artworks, this project became increasingly about the social energy that arises when the melting pot is highly active. If we hear a song whilst we are having a great time we tend to have a strong connection with it. Art tends to be separated from other social experiences so our parties created the potential for similar connections. This atmosphere attracted a diverse and social crowd and many new to a gallery space, artists could share ideas over the bar.

What's the best thing for an artist about doing your own show, rather than working with galleries?
These shows allowed us to invite artists from far afield and let new graduates spread their wings. If projects like this can find the funding they can change the way the public experience emerging art. Artists can meet visitors and see how their work is interpreted.


What's the worst thing/ biggest challenge?
By far, it is the fund raising. This can really sap your creativity. It is deeply frustrating for artists that so much investment gets squandered on admin, consultation and banal public commissions. There is still a fundamental lack of understanding and respect for contemporary art amongst the authorities and businesses. It is easy to criticize or complain and artists need to discover ingenious ways to promote good work. We have managed to find the means to support Revolver and these can inspire new directions in our practice. 

How long did it take to set everything up? Lots of sleepless nights?
I think we have learnt a lot about how to manage our energies and how to work with others. The stress can get so relentless that you end up accepting that fate will work it out. You sleep well when you have done all you can.


How much work do you normally sell at something like this? Or is it more about raising the individual artists' profiles?
To us it is crazy that more people don't want to live with art especially if they have the cash to do so. It is like going through life without buying music or seeing films. It was important we did sell but not the main agenda. It was more crucial for visitors to enjoy new and challenging artworks and want to know more about certain artists.

Forgetting money and other limitations, what would be your dream space/ location put on an exhibition in?
On one level, the ex car showroom is a perfect location. We love living in Penzance and a space like this could really celebrate its potential, without spoiling its character. It could have studios, a venue for bands and films. But the powers that be have little vision for how it would benefit the area.

We would love to take a group of likeminded artists and show in a similar warehouse space in numerous international cities. It is one thing to show one's own work in New York, Mumbai or Rome but to work as a group and enjoy the experience together would be a dream deal.
 
Jesse Leroy Smith and Volker Stox have produced a beautiful book to document the Revolver shows: "We collected a body of powerful and stunning images from these shows  and  they just had to be published. In the same spirit of camaraderie and innovation as our shows, we have teamed up with two outstanding design graduates from University College Falmouth. With the support and text contributions from UCF, Tate St Ives, Newlyn Art Gallery and Artcornwall.org we are proud to present this groundbreaking and stylish, full colour 220 page hardback book".

Book launch events

21 November (6-10pm): PZ Gallery, Coinagehall St, Penzance TR18 4AY. A vibrant installation of projections within and over the façade of this ex-car showroom.

28 November (6-9pm): Open Space Gallery, 40 Lower Market St, Penryn, TR10 8BH. In conjunction with our new show, Revolutions (Dark Matter), we will hold a special event to present our new mix of established artists and graduates from UCF. Show runs from 7 November until 2 December, 10.30-5pm, tel: 01326 373415 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

An exuberant and friendly atmosphere with speeches, book signing and surprises at both events.

Revolver Art Cornwall will be available in bookshops, galleries, colleges and libraries across the country from December.