BIOGRAPHY
BIOGRAPHY
Jacek Ludwig Scarso (PhD) is an internationally exhibited artist, curator and academic, whose work stretches theatrical experiences across live performance, public art, video, photography and installation.
Born in Rome of Polish, British and Italian origins, he lives and works in London. Jacek’s creative process stems from his background in performance and vocal studies: since graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, he has combined his performance work as Artistic Director of award-winning Elastic Theatre, receiving funding grants from Wellcome Trust, ACE and Jerwood, with his independent profile as interdisciplinary artist. His projects, investigating intersections between practices of theatricality and contemporary art, have been exhibited worldwide. These include projects and commissions at Tate Modern, York Art Gallery, MACRO Museo di Arte Contemporanea (Rome), the Science Museum, GV Art Gallery and InTRANSIT (London), Fotofever at Carrousel du Louvre, Pave D’Orsay and Cutlog (Paris), BAW and The Living Theater (New York), MIA (Milan), Galleria Civica Cavour (Padua), Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi and Galleria ArteSpazioTempo (Venice), Weissraum Gallery (Kyoto, Japan), CICA Museum (Gyeonggi-do, South Korea), Tai Kwun (Hong Kong), Photo Docks (Lyon), Vkunst (Frankfurt) and Kunstwerk Carlshütte (Budelsdorf) where his video-works are included in the Nord Art Collection.
Jacek is Reader in Art and Performance at the School of Art Architecture and Design (AAD, London Metropolitan University), where he completed his PhD in Artistic Research and where he holds the honorary title of University Teaching Fellow. At the AAD, he directs the new MA Public Art & Performance, in association with Tate Exchange and is Deputy Director of CREATURE (Research Centre for Creative Arts, Cultures and Engagement).
Jacek is Senior Curator at Fondazione Marta Czok (Rome/Venice). He is an Associate Artist of Anise Gallery. He is also a Trustee of The Line – London’s first dedicated Public Art Walk, Senior Advisor on Public Space for City Space Architecture, and Research Associate at the Public Space Museum, Bologna. He was recently invited for a Research Fellowship at RMIT University, Melbourne.
STATEMENT
My work is a playful depiction of human fragility. My performance background has instilled in me a fascination for the composition of bodies in time and space: dramatic and visceral, these bodies are parts of complex stories told in stark minimal settings. I thrive on theatricality. I seek outlandish performative actions, twisted plotlines, tragicomic characters, absurd themes and an unmitigated voyeurism from the point of view of the spectator. I also thrive in ambiguity - hybrid ideas from often contrasting fields, like science, religion, sexuality and art itself. Theatricality and ambiguity are present in all my work and drive my creative process, stretched across the mediums of live performance, written word, voice, photography, video, and installation.
Jacek Ludwig Scarso
Artist, Theatre Director, Curator (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).
Shows/Projects
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
2021
Feature Projects
Future Now – Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition , York Art Gallery with THE PECKING ORDER
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 / Solo Shows
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 / Solo Shows
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 / Solo Shows
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 / Solo shows
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 / Solo Shows
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 / Solo shows
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 / Solo shows
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 / Solo Shows
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
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
Projects/Commissions
Medea Made Medea (performance with Elastic Theatre) supported by The Facility and Rencontres de Theatre Europeen Grenoble
2006
Projects/Commissions
Ophelia’s Song (performance with Elastic Theatre) supported by The Facility and Teatro Integrato Internazionale Rome
2005
Projects/Commissions
The Penny Gaffe Scandals (site-responsive performance with Elastic Theatre) in private locations across London
2004
Projects/Commissions
State Stating Statuses / Aqua: artistic residency at London Metropolitan University Performance Programme (performance with Elastic Theatre)
2003
Projects/Commissions
So does the Bubble Machine (performance with Elastic theatre) at Rudolf Steiner House and The Bull Art Centre, London
2002
Projects/Commissions
Cliché (performance with Elastic Theatre), Battersea Arts Centre and Bull Art Centre London
2001
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)
