The Quips is a research and performance project on radio broadcasting’s relationship with disability and pirate radio’s history of rebellion and activism, culminating in a live radio broadcast and video documentation, made by CUTTER // NASH.
When Covid-19 arrived, our interactions – with culture and each other – were remote and online. Now, as society begins to ‘reopen’, disabled and clinically extremely vulnerable people are at risk of being excluded again.
In this landscape of diminishing support and connection, The Quips claims creative space for disabled voices – their humour, rebellion, sexuality – and amplifies them. We take inspiration from radio stations such as the 1947 French radio show ‘La Tribune de l’Invalide’, where disability activists spoke out about the neglect of disabled civilians, and ‘Gaywaves’, the first British radio programme run by and for gay men in the 1980s, the era of Section 28.
Developed through residency with The Art House in Wakefield, we invited contributions from disabled and clinically extremely vulnerable people who’ve shielded during the pandemic, to share their experiences, thoughts and feelings on the past 2 years and the present moment.
The project culminated in a 90 minute live broadcast over YouTube in partnership with Disability Arts Online, and a ‘Making Of’ mini documentary by filmmaker Alex Mannion-Jones.
Other formats
Supporters
- The Art House, Wakefield.
- Arts Council England.
- Graeae.
- Drake Music.
- Disability Arts Online.
Dates
- Residency: 28th Feb to the 25th March 2022.
- Broadcast: Monday 23rd May, 8pm.
Team:
- Gareth Cutter: artist.
- Gemma Nash: artist.
- Kris Gjerstadt: technologist.
- Alex Mannion-Jones: videographer.
- Eluned Charley: live captions.
- ShipShape Marketing: marketing support and consultancy.
GARETH CUTTER 