It seems like it's one symposium after another these days. First there was the trashing symposia that made me feel appropriately degraded, then there was the panel on the feminist flirt which got me a little overexcited, followed shortly thereafter by the symposium on feminist art and the 80s which left me in tears. Hopefully this next one at Whitechapel will be just right, in fact it looks like they may have perfected it! (ba dum ching) The photographer Jo Longhurst has organised a 2-day symposium on perfection from 3-4 Feb 2012 and decided to show one of my videos during it. Strange that my work should be included since I'm much more into unperfectionism and embracing failare. In the words of psychologist Albert Ellis, "excessive striving to be perfect will invariably lead to disillusionment, heartache and self-hatred." In fact, in one of his most early books, endearingly titled How to Live with a Neurotic (1957), he included perfectionism among the main irrational ideas leading to disturbance. So wait, I'd better bring along my U.S.A. (unconditional self acceptance, that is) to the Whitechapel.
Whitechapel Gallery
On Perfection
Thursday 2 February, 9.45am–5.45pm & Friday 3 February, 9.45am–4.30pm
International artists and writers discuss how concepts of perfection shape our personal identities and social and political systems. Featuring new research, screenings, artist conversations and performance, the programme includes Julian Rosefeldt on his video installation The Perfectionist and Ray Müller, director of The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl, on his experience of working with Hitler’s infamous propagandist - the ultimate perfectionist.