Framed around the archive of artist, curator, and teacher Franko B, this one-day symposium of talks, performance and discussion, featuring artists, archivists, writers, curators and researchers, looks at the multitude of different ways in which archives can be accessed, activated and animated.

The day will open with an 'in conversation' between Franko B and Lois Keidan, Director of the Live Art Development Agency, and will also include a performance from the project’s writers-in-residence Mary Paterson and Maddy Costa, as well as discussing a variety of challenging archives from Franko's own to the Bishopsgate Institute's LGBTQ Erotica and Pornography Collection.

Organised with the University of Bristol Theatre Collection the symposium is part of a wider series of public events including an exhibition, talks and workshops, funded by the Wellcome Trust, that marks the end of a larger project to catalogue, conserve and widen access to Franko B's Archive, donated by the artist to the Theatre Collection in 2008 where it is now fully accessible.

Please be aware that the event will explore adult themes and content, which may not be suitable for all audiences.

Image credit: Franko B. Photography and © Hugo Glendinning

SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE: 'Don’t Leave Me This Way'; Accessing and Activating Challenging Archives

10.15-10.45 Registration. (Tea & Coffee)

The morning sessions will introduce Franko B and his archive, broadening discussion out to the various challenges - ethical, legal and practical - that archivists face in coming to terms with caring for, cataloguing and making widely accessible ‘challenging’ archives.

10.45-10.50 Welcome. Gary Topp: Interim Executive Director, Arnolfini

10.50-11.00 Introduction to the Challenging Archives project to catalogue, conserve and make accessible the Franko B archive. Jo Elsworth: Director, University of Bristol Theatre Collection

11.00 -11.30 From Practice to Archive. Franko B and Lois Keidan: Director of the Live Art Development Agency, in conversation

11.30-12.00 Meeting the Challenges of Archiving Franko B’s Collection. Dr. Siân Williams: Challenging Archives project archivist & Julian Warren: Keeper of Digital and Live Art Archives, University of Bristol Theatre Collection

12.00 – 13.00 Panel Discussion and Q&A: Working with Challenging Archives Stephen Gray, Head of Library Research Support, University of Bristol (Chair)Dr. Siân Williams, Challenging Archives project archivist, UoB Theatre CollectionJulian Warren, Keeper of Digital and Live Art Archives, UoB Theatre CollectionStef Dickers, Special Collections and Archives Manager, Bishopsgate Institute, LondonNicky Sugar, Archivist for the British Empire & Commonwealth Collections, Bristol ArchivesChris Olver, Archivist, Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability, Putney, London

13.00-14.00 Lunch (not provided, but there are plenty of eateries and cafes close-by)

The afternoon sessions provide an opportunity to widen the discussion to explore opportunities for engaging audiences with challenging archives, for creative use within teaching, research, writing, curating and programming.

14.00 - 14.30 Love On Me: Life and Death in Jon John’s Archive. Dominic Johnson, Professor of Performance and Visual Culture, Queen Mary University, London

14.30 – 15.00 Reading/Performance from Challenging Archives project Writers-in-Residence performance, Mary Paterson and Maddy Costa

15.00 -15.30 Performance Remains. Reaction, compliance, defiance. So that your story becomes mine. Helen Cole, CEO/Artistic Director, In Between Time

15.30 – 16.00 Tea Break16.00 – 17.00 Panel Discussion and Q&A: Engaging with Challenging ArchivesGary Topp, Interim Executive Director, Arnolfini (Chair) Dominic Johnson, Professor of Performance and Visual Culture, Queen Mary University Lois Keidan, Director of Live Art Development Agency (LADA) Helen Cole, Director of In Between TimeMary Paterson & Maddy Costa, Challenging Archives Writers-in-ResidenceJo Elsworth, Director, UoB Theatre Collection17.00 – 18.00 Closing Remarks, followed by Drinks Reception

A 45-minute screening of newly digitised material from Franko B’s archive, filmed over Franko’s extensive career, can be viewed today, and throughout the weekend in Arnolfini’s Dark Studio.

The exhibition of Franko B’s archive ‘The Body is (not) Here’ at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, 21 Park Row (a 10 minute walk from Arnolfini) will stay open late this evening until 7.00pm, for anyone who would like to visit following the symposium.