Reprise
education|talk|speech|research|lecture|independence|gift|exhibition|donation|director
part of Independence, commissioned by curator Chris Hammonds
3 Jun 2003 - 3 Aug 2003
South London Gallery: London
Reprise was part of Independence, a celebratory exhibition at the South London Gallery, marking the devolution of the Gallery from Local Authority management.
Reprise was presented by the director Margot Heller at the opening party on the 1st June 2003.
On our behalf, Margot read a speech that we found through our research in the Gallery archives. The speech was first delivered in 1893 by the founder [the Gallery began in 1868] and director William Rossiter to the Gallery Council. Rossiter was fighting to retain the independence of the Gallery by keeping it out of Local Authority control, he was fearful of swapping one form of indebtedness, inherent in financial support - from private donation to public subsidy- for another .
Rossiter lost the battle to keep the Gallery independent.
108 years later, and although the direction of the Gallery's movement is reversed - from public subsidy to a 'mixed' economy - the forms of indebtedness remain the same; the struggle for independence is being uncannily replayed, in reverse.
Reprise
A souvenir pamphlet, with annotated text of the speech delivered by both directors
ISBN 1 898 461 244
Price 20p
Published by the South London Gallery and millimeter.org
Available from the gallery