Study Day on Biological Exuberance Organised with artist & writer Carl(e) Gent

Information

A programme of talks, performances, films, and workshops that ends with a big gay (animal) dance party. Programmed by Carle Gent, this Study Day on Biological Exuberance asks the question: how can nonhuman pleasure – particularly that which would be categorised as gay or trans in human life – be meaningfully recognised from our human terrain?
Animal life in artistic work has often served as metaphorical foil, bolstering anthropocentric hierarchies, and promoting inaccurate ideas around our creaturely neighbours. Drawing from a resurgent awareness of the queer and pleasure-filled lives of nonhuman animals this Study Day showcases practices across disciplines that seek to better recognise the gay and trans lives of the wider animal world.
Featuring guest artists Kirstin Halliday, Jordan/_ Hell, Linda Stupart and more.
Performances, artworks, and talks will happen across the Hospitalfield site, attendees are invited to camp overnight in the paddock for evening dancing and a Sunday morning nature walk.
Carl(e) Gent is an artist from Bexhill-on-sea. In 2023 and 2024 Carl(e) was selected as one of three artists to develop their practice as part of a residency programme connected to the design development of the new Collections Study Centre at Hospitalfield designed by architects Caruso St John.
Full artist and programme announcement coming soon.

Tickets:
Tickets are £5. For those who face barriers to attending there are five bursary places available that provide a free ticket and a small travel stipend. Please email programme@hospitalfield.org.uk to request a bursary.

Camping:
Camping pitches for tents and vans available for £10

Hospitality:
A communal Lunch will be provided for participants, a casual dinner will be available for those joining us into the evening. Please indicate when purchasing a ticket if you plan to join for lunch, dinner, or both.
All food will be vegan, please let us know if you have allergies when booking.

Access:
This event will be held in various location on the Hospitalfield site.
All spaces for talks have level access and accessible toilets. Some events will be outside and require moving between locations sometimes on grass or gravel paths that may be uneven.

Hospitalfield House is a Victorian house over several floors with wide staircases and banisters in most cases. Some areas of the house, including the Music Room on the ground floor, are accessible by wheelchair.

Hospitalfield Gardens and Café is wheelchair accessible via a ramp into the Gardens and there are wide pathways throughout the Walled Gardens. It is possible to access the ground floor level of the restored Fernery.

There is disabled parking available on site by the entrance to the Garden.
Hospitalfield would like to prepare with you for your visit and give any information which could help, so please do get in touch by emailing info@hospitalfield.org.uk or phoning 01241656124.