In between in the terrain vague

This interdisciplinary symposium considered the significance of ‘edgelands’ and other marginal spaces, neither urban nor rural, as sites for artistic inquiry, and as cultural spaces. It ran in tandem with Spacex’s exhibition ‘Soft Estate’ features artworks exploring the marginal spaces of contemporary motorway landscapes. Defined as a type of terrain ‘apparently unplanned, certainly uncelebrated and largely incomprehensible’ by environmentalist Marion Shoard, ‘edgelands’ have frequently been a source of inspiration for artists and writers. This paper presented work in progress from Pam Flett Press #4 Vague terrain. Alongside myself the symposium speakers included Edward Chell, academic and lead artist of Spacex’s current exhibition ‘Soft Estate’; Dr. Caitlan DeSilvey, geographer and senior lecturer in Environmental Social Science, University of Exeter; Laura Oldfield Ford, artist and psycho-geographer; Dr Jos Smith, associate research fellow, University of Exeter.