Visual CONSTRUCTS
We are very pleased to announce our first collaborative project of the year, The Ragged Kingdom x Visual Stress Capsule Drop.
Visual Stress were an important performative arts group based in Liverpool in the 90’s. Their focus was the cleansing of spaces and places tainted by association with both historic and modern forms of slavery. They did this through public ritual, procession and dance. Jamie Reid was a friend and collaborator with the group, producing graphics, banners and support.
Carrying the flag forward are Visual Construct, with whom we have collaborated on this project, which includes objects to wear and a beautiful object to read and handle – a ‘zine of sorts, and a tribute. All sweats, tees and scarves are double-dyed by hand and are thus unique.
DocUMENT 0.5
Document 0.5 is a fifty page, handbound book or ‘zine with twenty two vellum inserts, including imagery of actions, textual interventions, and handwritten contributions by Jamie Reid. This document is designed and produced by Visual Construct and is currently unavailable for purchase at this point. But all orders will include a copy of the ‘zine, and all proceeds will go to the Visual Stress Archive
The film below was made by Visual Construct and documents the collation of information into a limited ‘zine which everyone receives with their order. Everything is handmade, and all proceeds go to the upkeep of the Visual Stress Archive.
Video segment by Visual Construct. Document 0.5 is ‘an exploration into the works of art collective Visual Stress and the phrase Art as Medicine’.
Visual Stress & the Urban Vimbuza
Visual Stress was founded in Liverpool in 1988 as a collective of artists, musicians, groups and individuals involved in the creation of live art and cultural activities. It was a collaborative vehicle for the production of large scale ritual entitled Urban Vimbuza, with the aim to eradicate our society’s sickness.
The Vimbuza healing dance has been used for centuries in Central Africa to heal trauma resulting from oppression. Through bringing the modern consumer slave into direct contact with the true nature of their slavery through the healing nature of the Urban Vimbuza, a cure would begin to be effected.
This directive was supported by a series of events, exhibitions and undocumented street performances (‘Urban Libations’) that served to both explore and develop material and to establish a working dialogue with historic places and spaces across Liverpool, the UK and Europe.
The collective formed following a meeting in the mid-80's with Zambian ethnomusicologist Mapopa Mtonga, a principle lecturer at the university of Lusaka. Principal members included Kif Higgins, drummer and director of Liverpool school of African Arts; Maxine Brown, principle dancer with Delado Drum & Dance group; Jonathan Swain, Artist/Performer; Phillip Hughes, Live Artist. All members have lived and worked in Liverpool.
Jamie Reid was a friend and long time collaborator with Visual Stress providing imagery, hangings and artistic direction.
This collaboration between Visual Stress and Ragged Kingdom will provide funds for the upkeep of the Liverpool-based Archive.