Britain has a long and distinguished history of violence – in this we
are like any other nation; however, it has been argued that we
inflict it on ourselves and on others with particular enthusiasm and
efficiency.

The way this history is manifested is specific, violence being part
of our national identity. The British brand of violence informs our
art, our humour, our politics, our sexual habits and our social
identities. Its present threat underwrites political and social
hegemonies and haunts our dreams; we laugh with relief at our escape when it is inflicted on someone else; we turn it inwards on ourselves in spectacular cycles of addiction, abuse and self-hatred.

Our artists and writers inflict violence on materials, ideas and language (and sometimes on themselves) as an intrinsic part of the creative process. What are the particular forms in which our national history of violence is manifested through language and culture?

WPP invites artists’ and writers’ initial outline responses to the
idea of British Violence – historical, political, sexual, ritual,
comical, subliminal, practical, institutional… They would
particularly welcome material from non-British contributors, either
resident or offering a view from outside.

WPP will work with the selected contributors to produce work to be
included in the second of an ongoing series of themed group
publications in which the editors at WPP act as curators and
animateurs to develop publications which extend and confound the
usual notions of the book.

WPP are looking for: visuals of all kinds, instructional projects,
games, short texts of any kind (notional maximum 2000 words) – works of fiction, fact or any combination of the two. We need to receive proposals and expressions of interest by September 30th 2010, with a view to completion by December 30th and publication in early 2011.

Contact: info@wildpansypress.com
www.wildpansypress.com

Image: 24 Hour, photo Jane Howson