Let it be Known — Ahmet Öğüt

Let it be known to all persons here gathered

2012
Places visited: Liverpool, St Helens, Heywood, Manchester Commisioned by the Liverpool Biennial

Rider: Wayne Docksey | Horse: Blaze | Camera: Ahmet Ögüt | Second Camera: Tim Brunsden | Sound: Ami Yesufu | Production Team: Lorenzo Fusi, Rosie Cooper | Horse Care: Hatters Farm; Mark Nolan and Susan Booth | Text Editing and Calligraphy: Sarah Bowerman

The film documents a journey undertaken by a horse rider, dressed as a postman. The postman rode from Liverpool to Manchester, with the rider pausing in towns along the way, including St Helens and Heywood, to read the Biennial's press release that is ironically manipulated in the style of a Royal letter. The audience for the work became the accidental passers-by and not someone who has a particular expectation or interest in art. Aim of the work is not trying to attract more audience for the Biennial, rather question the role of the Biennials in general; such as lack of a far-reaching influence on the wider public, creating a real progressive dialog with the city and the local audience.

Liverpool Biennial the Seventh by the Grace of the Public

Signified under the largest contemporary art festival in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and well known in Northern Ireland and of the other realms and territories.

Greetings, Citizens of Liverpool and visitors to this our City. Let it be known to all persons here gathered, all residents of the City of Liverpool shall be invited to attend the Liverpool Biennial that shall take place from the Fifteenth day of September to the Twenty-fifth day of November Two Thousand and Twelve.

NOW KNOW YE that for the length of ten weeks every two years Liverpool Biennial commissions the most vivifying artists from across the world, IN WITNESS over 600,000 visitors in the year Two Thousand and Ten whereof contributing ₤27 million to the City of Liverpool’s economy.

The City of Liverpool today signifies the richest visual arts environment anywhere in the United Kingdom of Great Britain outside London, the Capital. It was honoured as European Capital of Culture in the year Two Thousand and Eight. Liverpool Biennial the Seventh is to take place in a wide range of locations across the City.

Here we shall declare the precious participating organizations and venues to include The Cunard Building, The Bluecoat, Everton Park, FACT, Liverpool ONE, Metal, The Monro, Open Eye Gallery, Tate Liverpool, Mitchell’s Bakery, LJMU Copperas Building (Lime Street), The Walker Art Gallery, Victoria Gallery and Museum and The Royal Standard.

In the cause of the Olympic year, Liverpool Biennial the Seventh will explore the most worthy theme of hospitality. Hospitality is the welcome we shall extend to strangers – an attitude and a code of conduct as well as metaphor suggesting the conditions and energies that inspire artists.

You, the residents of this town, for any Enquiries, please de contact us via these divers telephone numbers: 020 7 221 5000 and +44 (0) 151 709 7444.

By the Director of Liverpool Biennial, herself signed with her own hand.