DERBY.- A new exhibition at QUAD, in Derby, looks at the relationship between success and failure by looking at common place materials and repetitive processes. Accidentally on Purpose is a mixed media group show which will be on display until 7th October 2012.

Accidentally on Purpose is an exhibition, online publication and audio project exploring the occurrence of repeating problems, and the strategies for (re)approaching them.

Accidentally on Purpose takes its title from an American Sitcom situated in the banality of the everyday. Its characters strive to make the best of an unfortunate situation, repetitively re-negotiating the uncertainty of their lives. The desire for escapism through the consumption of mass broadcasts and episodic formulas offers an interesting context for the curator’s approach to this exhibition; which connects the structure of the sitcom to an exploration of the relationship between success and failure, looking at common place materials and repetitious processes as a point of departure.

The works in this exhibition grapple with materiality, context and the processes that brought them into being. They challenge the frameworks we use to judge a successful artwork, or validate an aesthetic decision, sincere gesture, or logical action. Objects, people, materials and ideas test their own limits. And in doing so, return to and redefine notions of success and failure, intention and meaning. A series of artists will also be invited to create audio soundtracks to the exhibition. These collated recordings offer brief and unique interpretations of the exhibition; charting new connections and creating unique atmospheres.

Curated by Candice Jacobs and Fay Nicolson, Accidentally on Purpose will feature artists Becky Beasley, Rachel Lois Clapham & Emma Cocker, Karen Cunningham, Michael Dean, Cyprien Gaillard, Ryan Gander, Paul Graham, Jonathan Monk, Rose O’Gallivan, Edit Oderbolz, Dan Rees, Clunie Reid, George Shaw and Ryszard Wasko.

Candice Jacobs and Fay Nicolson will also be developing the specially designed web project, Accidental Purpose. Accidental Purpose will contain responses by 100 invited artists, curators and writers on the theme of success, failure and reoccurring problems and will soon be online at www.accidentalpurpose.net. The exhibition ends with a series of talks and live events; bringing together leading writers, curators and artists with interests in failure, repetition and the everyday.

Accidentally on Purpose is exhibited as part of a programme of events entitled ‘If At First...’ a season celebrating failure and its relationship with art, film and life, which also runs in QUAD 28th July – 7th October 2012. The season focuses on celebrating the wonderful art of failure and explores the phenomenon, the successes and its use as a creative tool in art, film and our daily lives. ‘If At First...’ season will include Accidentally on Purpose exhibition, a group show Artefacts Of Failure, a film season #Epic Fail and an events programme including walks, talks and workshops.

Collated from a national open call featuring paintings that were never completed; exhibition proposals that were never realised; rejection letters; broken sculptures; over exposed photographs and any other works that initially weren’t a success! Failure, trial and error is an unavoidable part of any artistic practice. In writing these lines, we’re probably failing to communicate exactly our thoughts to you. Is that a failure? We want to share with you the fascinating stories behind creativity and experimentation, something that we can all relate to!

Artists include:
Jonathan Alibone & Alexander Small, Richard Bradley, Sophie Cullinan, Joseph Davis, Sarah Dixon, Bryan Eccleshall, Nansy Ferrett-Campbell, Mira Graham, Charlie Hurcombe, Susan Martin, Paul Matosic, Ingrid Berthon-Moine, Barry Morris, Marc Renshaw, Miriam Robson, Heather Rudd, Frances Ryan, Estelle Rocca-Serra, Martha Webster, Elizabeth Wewiora and Simon Withers.