‘Free to Air’ is a series of exhibitions and events that will extend across London over a four-year period. Taking as its starting point Roosevelt’s famous ‘four freedoms’ – freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear – it sets out to explore some of the multiple meanings of ‘freedom’ in contemporary society.

Each year a major new commission will be showcased at two London venues, whilst an accompanying programme of screenings, events and workshops will be presented in galleries and cinemas across London’s boroughs.

Freedom of speech and freedom of expression provided the focus of ‘Free to Air 2009’. Encompassing a major new moving-image work by Suki Chan, at 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning and A Foundation, London, and a parallel screening programme, entitled ‘Figures of Speech’, which considered how artists have used video and film to open up new forms of representation, ‘Free to Air’ also incorporated a mentoring programme for two emerging artists living and working in London. The first artist to benefit from this were Eileen Perrier and Grace Schwindt.

The second phase of ‘Free to Air’ begins in September 2010, with a new three-screen video installation by Ergin Cavusoglu, entitled ‘Crystal and Flame’, realised and presented in partnership with Peer. A parallel series of artists’ talks and other events exploring the theme of ‘freedom from want’ will follow throughout October.

‘Free to Air’ is a Film and Video Umbrella project. It is funded by London Councils.

Individual works in this Project

Sleep Walk, Sleep Talk

Suki Chan

Free to Air: Figures of Speech

Various Artists