Mapping Dangerous Spaces

An interesting symposium in that london on june 1st

flyer: http://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/events/mds/mapping-dangeous-spaces-cpf.pdf
programme: http://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/events/mds/mapping-dangerous-spaces.pdf

yes, its next monday.... and i still havent finished my paper.... here's my abstract....

Getting Lost in Manchester

Abstract by Morag Rose

The LRM (Loiterers Resistance Movement) is a Manchester based collective of artists, academics and activists interested in psychogeography and public space.

In June 2008 we facilitated Get Lost, the de facto fringe festival for MMU’s TRIP (Territories Reimagined: International Perspectives) conference. The month long programme included walks, talks and artistic interventions aimed at engaging communities in exploring Manchester.

This bought us into conflict with Cityco, the quango who manage Manchester City Centre. They claimed we were a health and safety risk to the public and needed £2million insurance to be allowed on the streets. Furthermore they threatened us with arrest for criminal damage, expressed concern we may encourage homeless people into the city, told artists they needed a license to ask questions and warned of the sinister implications of our public critique on CCTV. We challenged their arguments with relish....

This paper explores the obstacles encountered and places them in the context of Manchester’s post bomb neoliberal redevelopment. Increased surveillance and restrictions are imposed as a result of the agenda to create a clean and “safe” city for consumers. It provides a clear and alarming example of the conflicts between civil liberty, state bureaucracy and capitalism as it addresses why playing in the city become so subversive

Theres lots more interesting stuff there too. Please come and say hi if you're in the vicinity. I'm rather amused the programme gives me a totally made up job title - i guess loiterer isnt enough for some folk.