The Outpost Question Centre

In 1969, the artist James Lee Byars created a semi-fictional organisation and convened "100 of the world's most brilliant minds", asking each of them the same question: "Could you present us with a question that you feel is pertinent with regard to the evolution of your own knowledge?"

The exhibition, The Outpost Question Centre, riffs on Byars's obsession with questions, harnessing his gesture as a curatorial framework. Through Byars's work, the project explores intergenerational influence and support, surfacing conversations around grassroots artist networks and artistic know-how. The project aims to amplify the intangible networks that empower artist-led knowledge. It celebrates a dispersed intergenerational community.

Questions are taxonomic. They structure the world and help us navigate complexities. They are like torches in the dark, illuminating pathways. A question demands a response. It is a demand for dialogue. Questions form community. They emphasise not knowing and foreground curiosity. For Byars, a question represents humility. In the context of Outpost, they represent forward momentum. The Outpost Question Centre brings artists together in myriad ways, connecting and surfacing artist-led concerns.

The project takes place in three stages. For the first stage, participants are invited to contribute questions and prompts in response to: What questions drive the work you do? What questions are missing? In the second stage, a two-day workshop at Outpost will be led by George Vasey and Paul Stewart, with Liam Jolly, Annie Jael Kwan, Chanelle Windas, Ocean Baulcombe-Toppin, Fani Parali, Outpost committee members and art students from Norwich University of the Arts. In the workshop, participants will respond to the prompts and questions with creative and playful responses that foreground making and collaboration. For the third part, Outpost will present an exhibition featuring posters of the questions and prompts alongside video, audio and artworks produced during the workshop.

Curated by George Vasey in collaboration with Paul Stewart. Participants include Liam Jolly, Annie Jael Kwan, Chanelle Windas, Ocean Baulcombe-Toppin and Fani Parali, alongside Outpost committee members.