Jacek Ludwig Scarso
Artist, Curator, Academic (PhD)
Reader in Art & Performance at the School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University – Deputy Director of CREATURE (Research Centre in Creative Arts, Cultures and Engagement). Senior Curator at Fondazione Marta Czok (Rome/Venice).
Projects
2024
Feature Projects
URBE [Curator], Palazzo Montecitorio, Italian Parliament. Exhibition of Marta Czok’s work supported by the Ministry of Culture, under the patronage of the Polish Embassy in Rome.
EX_PATRIA [Curator] Project Space Fondazione Marta Czok, Venice. In conjunction with the 60th Biennale Arte ‘Stranieri Ovunque / Foreigners Everywhere’, an exhibition of Marta Czok’s work under the patronage of the Polish Embassy.
De Innocentia [Curator], Complesso di Vicolo Valdina alla Camera dei Deputati (Italian Houses of Representatives). Exhibition of Marta Czok’s paintings in collaboration with the Italian Commission for Culture, Sciences, Education, supported by the Polish Embassy in Rome.
Choreographics of Square, video-art project developed with Fondazione Marta Czok, in collaboration with RMIT (Melbourne). Presented at Pratt Institute, NYC.
Other Projects
Guest speaker and Moderator for Public Space Challenges at Pratt Institute NYC, international conference organised by City Space Architecture.
Moderator for Raffaello in Prison – Reflections on Historic Artworks and Social Engagement, with CREATURE, London Metropolitan University
Publication: ‘Placemaking, Performance and Infrastructure of Belonging’: Chapter co-authored with Anna Marazuela Kim, for Trauma-informed Placemaking (edited by Cara Courage and Anita McKeown), Routledge.
Guest speaker and Moderator for Past, Present and Future of Public Space, international conference organised by City Space Architecture at Palazzo Archiginnasio, Accademia delle Belle Arti, Sala Borsa and Museo Spazio Pubblico, Bologna.
2023
Feature Projects
The Rise and Fall of the deal City [Curator], Fondazione Marta Czok, Venice. Multidisciplinary exhibition of Marta Czok’s paintings, in dialogue with video-art selections from Urban Vision Film Festival / A-Place (curated by Luisa Bravo) and TAKFLIX (curated by Anna Marazuela Kim)
Art-Research Fellowship at RMIT University, Melbourne (Australia)
Fabrica [Curator], Fondazione Marta Czok, Venice. A selection of paintings from Marta Czok’s Permanent Collection on the themes of gender and motherhood, coinciding with the exhibition Premamai by Elena Ketra and Eolo Perfido, curated by Uros Gorgone
Performing Museography, art-based research publication in collaboration with MUVE (Fondazione dei Musei Civici di Venezia), published on CURATOR: The Museum Journal
Dopamina, Keynote Contribution with Studio Opera for Venice Design Week 2023
Raffaello visita le Carceri di Salerno, contribution to project and catalogue, curated by Michele Citro
Other Projects
Moderator for The Line Symposium: Reflections on Art and Water, with CREATURE, London Metropolitan University
Contributor to Public Space Challenges, International Symposium with Public Space Academy at Museo Spazio Pubblico, Bologna
2022
Feature Projects
Shrine of the Goat, Anise Gallery as part of London Festival of Architecture 2022. Live/VR Performance
Critical Theatricality in the Museum Space , Ca’ Pesaro Galleria di Arte Moderna Venice artistic research project based on publication for The International Journal of the Inclusive Museum
Luccicanza, Keynote Contribution at Venice Design Week 2022
Group Shows
10 prints by 10 Artists, Anise Gallery online, curated by J. Jubert
Other Projects
Moderator for The Line Symposium: Public Art, Nature and Mental Wellbeing, with CREATURE, London Metropolitan University
2021
Feature Projects
Future Now – Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition , York Art Gallery with THE PECKING ORDER
On Change / Change On [Curator], Museo Spazio Pubblico, Bologna
Group Shows
Anise Gallery 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition, curated by J. Jubert, Anise Gallery (London)
10 prints by 10 Artists, with Anise Gallery for Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair (London)
Other Projects/Commissions
The Public Art Experiment for Spark Festival in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the British Council
2020
Feature Projects
Future Now – Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition , York Art Gallery with IN LIMBO (until June 2020)
Other Projects/Commissions
The Public Art Experiment for Spark Festival in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the British Council
Curator of New Monuments for Aldgatel, Aldgate Festival
Invited Speaker on Public Art for “The City: Memories and Affect”, as part of Constellations, organised by Intercultural Roots (IR)
2019
Feature Projects
Lead Artist for The Pecking Order, Tate Exchange at Tate Modern in collaboration with The Cass, Anise Gallery and AVR London
Baroque Intrusions, Museo del Barocco presso Palazzo Chigi (Rome) in collaboration with Marta Czok
Comparse Barocche / Baroque Extras, Studio CS (Castel Gandolfo, Rome)
Group Shows
Anima Mundi – Visions, Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi and THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space, Venice. Curated by L. Curci during the 58th Venice Biennale
Urban Landscapes, exhibition at CICA Museum, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
We all come from Somewhere, Tate Liverpool, curated by M. Moreno
Streetplayer, video art exhibition for Artwalk Wakefield 2019
Other Projects/Commissions
Nature in the City and Voicescapes for Spark Festival in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the British Council
Curator of Land of Fibs, The Cass Theatre Arts Festival, Canada Water Theatre and Library
Guest Speaker for Curating the Future, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong
Guest Speaker at TaPRA 2019, University of Exeter
2018
Feature Projects
In Limbo, Live/VR installation at Tate Modern, London in partnership with Tate Exchange. A collaboration with Felix Dodd and A-VR, Anise Gallery and The Cass,
Kamo-gawa_Kamo-gawa, project at Weissraum Gallery, Kyoto, Japan. Curated by Takaya Fujii
Precarious Balance/ Equilibrio Precario, Arte Spazio Tempo, Studio CS Rome, curated by B. Vincenzi (sculpture/installation)
Metropolis, with Marta Czok at Magione Arts District in conjunction with Manifesta Palermo , curated by C. Biasini
Group Shows
Art & Location, exhibition at CICA Museum, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
London Art Fair: exhibition with Anise Gallery on the occasion of the 30th edition of the Fair, curated by J. Jubert
Venice Vending Machine, Tate Liverpool, curated by M. Moreno.
Streetplayer 2018: selected for video exhibition curated by Chris Woodward with Axisweb
TAPRA 2018: exhibition at TAPRA Gallery (Aberystwyth), curated by F. Jones
Sport/Spectacle: exhibition/conference at Kings College London, curated by B. Chow
Other Projects/Commissions
Stage Director of Juliet of the Spirits, live adaptation of Federico Fellini’s work. Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design, London.
Interdisciplinary Voice, paper/workshop at Anglia Ruskin University
2017
Feature Projects
Precarious Balance/ Equilibrio Precario, Arte Spazio Tempo, Venice, during 57th Venice Biennale, curated by B. Vincenzi (sculpture/installation)
Group Shows
Controlled Realities, Anise Gallery, London alongside Rachel Hara and Charles Harrop-Griffiths, curated by J. Jubert (sculpture/installation)
Venice Vending Machine at Palazzo Mora and Giardini della Marinaressa in Venice, during 57th Venice Biennale, curated by M. Moreno
Love and Violence, Galleria Civica Cavour, Padua, curated by B. Cadogno and S. Prelz (installation/video)
Other Projects/Commissions
Curator for DEN Festival at Shoreditch Town Hall, Theatre & Performance graduation show, The Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design
Collecting and Curating Sound, Tate Exchange at Tate Modern, TaPRA conference, presenting The Vocal Exhibit, curated by G. Guy and J. Linsley
Vocal Embodiment, ACLA Conference Utrecht University, presenting The Vocal Exhibit
Theatricality and the Arts Symposium at University of Lancaster, presenting Reframing the (post)dramatic in Contemporary Art
2016
Feature Projects
This may self-destruct, Studio CS, Castel Gandolfo, Rome (installation and photo)
Science Museum Lates exhibiting L’Entraineur and Santino (videos) and Swinging Swimmers (live installation), London
Group Shows
Visions in the Nunnery, Bow Arts, London, curated by C. Cremona (video/live installation)
Transmission Art, Athens – Karlsruhe curated by James Simburas and Ursula Schachenhofer (video)
Venice Vending Machine at Kunst Altonale Hamburg curated by Marina Moreno (installation)
Other Projects/Commissions
BAW at Pave D’Orsay, research residency, Paris
Spazio Ingranaggi D’Arte, research residency, Rome
2015
Feature Projects
Little Man Saga, Romberg Arte Contemporanea Rome (video, photo, installation) curated by I. Bergantini and G. Conti
Toxic Monks for InTRANSIT London (performance) curated by O’Neill/Ross
Imagined Cities for Colourscape Music Festival London (performance) with composer A. Campkin
Group shows
MIA Milan (photo) with Romberg Arte Contemporanea, curated by I. Bergantini
Nord Art Budelsdorf (video) Kunstwerk Carlshütte, curated by W. Gramm
Vkunst Frankfurt (video) curated by C. von Löw and A. Greulich
Venice Vending Machine, Serra dei Giardini during 56th Venice Biennale, curated by M. Moreno
Projects/Commissions
Strata music video direction for jazz composer Ivo Neame featured on The Guardian
2014
Feature Projects
MIA Milan Image Art with Romberg Arte Contemporanea (photo, video) curated by I. Bergantini
Group shows
FotoFever, Carrousel du Louvre Paris with Romberg Arte Contemporanea (photo)
Docks Art Fair Lyon with Romberg Arte Contemporanea (photo)
Projects/Commissions
Toxic Monks for At Boiling Point London (performance) curated by Heritage Arts
2013
Feature Projects
Icons & Idols MACRO Museo Arte Contemporanea di Roma (La Pelanda) Rome, (video, installation, performance) curated by B. Codogno
Group shows
Cutlog with Romberg Arte Contemporanea Paris (video)
Bosh Fest Republic of Macedonia (video)
The Ortus, Spitalfields Music Festival
GV Art Gallery London (video) curated by R. Devcic
White Cloth Gallery Leeds (video)
Projects/Commissions
Julius (part 2) funded by Wellcome Trust and Jerwood Charitable Foundation (video and performance)
2012
Feature Projects
Theatre of the Mind GV Art Gallery London (video, performance) curated by R. Devcic
Other Projects/Commissions
Julius (part 1) funded by Wellcome Trust and Jerwood Charitable Foundation (video and performance – with Elastic Theatre)
2011
Feature Projects
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival London (performance) curated by B. Hemmings
Projects/Commissions
Baroque Box, site-specific at Old Royal Naval College, funded by Wellcome Trust (performance with Elastic Theatre)
2010
Group shows
Tete a Tete Opera Festival at Riverside Studios (performance) curated by B. Bankes-Jones
Islington Exhibits London (installation) curated by L. Richardson
Other Projects/Commissions
Baroccata, supported by The Facility (performance with Elastic Theatre)
2009
Group shows
Tete a Tete Opera Festival at Riverside Studios (performance) curated by B. Bankes-Jones
Create at Arcola Theatre London (installation, performance)
Projects/Commissions
Medousa and The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus (performance with Elastic Theatre), supported by The Facility and BAW Paris, Americam University of Paris
2008
Feature Projects/Commissions
The Magdalene Mysteries (performance with Elastic Theatre) supported by The Facility, co-produced with Southwark Playhouse, St James’s Piccadilly and Roma Teatro Festival
2007
Feature Projects/Commissions
Medea Made Medea (performance with Elastic Theatre) supported by The Facility and Rencontres de Theatre Europeen Grenoble
2006
Feature Projects/Commissions
Ophelia’s Song (performance with Elastic Theatre) supported by The Facility and Teatro Integrato Internazionale Rome
2005
Feature Projects/Commissions
The Penny Gaffe Scandals (site-responsive performance with Elastic Theatre) in private locations across London
2004
Feature Projects/Commissions
State Stating Statuses / Aqua: artistic residency at London Metropolitan University Performance Programme (performance with Elastic Theatre)
2003
Feature Projects/Commissions
So does the Bubble Machine (performance with Elastic theatre) at Rudolf Steiner House and The Bull Art Centre, London
2002
Feature Projects/Commissions
Cliché (performance with Elastic Theatre), Battersea Arts Centre and Bull Art Centre London
2001
Feature Projects/Commissions
Urban Performance commission for Enzimi, Romaeuropa Festival, supported by the Council of Rome
Ongoing Roles
Reader in Art and Performance, School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University
Artistic Director of Elastic Theatre (www.elastictheatre.com)
Deputy Director of CREATURE (Research Centre in Creative Arts, Cultures and Engagement)
Senior Curator of Fondazione Marta Czok (Rome)
Senior Advisor for City Space Architecture
Trustee of The Line – London’s first dedicated Public Art walk
Research Associate of Museo Spazio Pubblico, Bologna
Qualifications
PhD Artistic Practice as Research (2014) London Metropolitan University
MA Voice Studies (2002) Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
BA Performing Arts (2001) First Class Honours, University of North London
Grants and Awards
Future Now, Aesthetica Prize Anthology selection (2021)
Future Now, Aesthetica Prize Anthology selection (2020)
Research Award, The Cass (2019)
University Honorary Teaching Fellowship, The Cass London Met (2018)
Research Award, The Cass (2018)
Streetplayer Selection, Axisweb (2018)
Research Award, The Cass (2017)
Professional Award, London Metropolitan University (2015)
Arts Award for Public Engagement, Wellcome Trust (2012-13)
Fringe Report Award (2012)
Arts Award, Jerwood Charitable Foundation (2012)
Arts Award for Public Engagement, Wellcome Trust (2010-2011)
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival Commission (2011)
Research Funding Award, London Metropolitan University (2010)
Research Funding Award, London Metropolitan University (2009)
The Facility: Performance as Research Grant (2009)
The Facility: Performance as Research Grant (2007)
The Facility: Performance as Research Grant (2006)
RomaEuropa/Enzimi Commission (2001)
International Laboratories and Residencies
London Metropolitan University (ongoing residency)
Royal Opera House (London), 2012-2017
Circus Space (London), 2014- 2017
GV Art Gallery (London), Love Arts Festival (Leeds), Bosh Fest (Republic of Macedonia), 2013
Pavé D’Orsay (Paris) / Stuttgart Staatstheater, RESEO / Opera National de Lyon, Opera Europa, 2012
The Living Theatre (New York) / Noa Opera (Vilnius), 2011
Noa Opera (Vilnius), 2010
American University of Paris, 2009
London Contemporary Dance School, 2007-2009
Roma Teatro Festival, 2008
Rencontres du Jeune Théâtre Européen (Grenoble), 2007
Teatro Integrato Internazionale (Rome), 2004-2006
East 15 Acting School (London), 2002-2004
Press Features
The Times (London), Theatre Today (USA), Daily Telegraph (UK), Huffington Post (Italy), Style Magazine, Il Corriere della Sera (Italy), Wall Street Journal (Europe), Ecumenica Journal (USA), Fringe Review (UK), Time Out (London), New Scientist (UK), IdeasTap Magazine (UK), Trebuchet Magazine (UK), Urban Time (UK) Prove Aperte (Italy) Arte Mondadori (Italy), Exibart (Italy)