This conference and the exhibition of which it is a part, takes Dr Edmond Locard’s ‘exchange principle’ as its starting point. Locard, a twentieth century pioneer of forensic science, proposed that whenever two surfaces come into contact a transference of material, however minute, takes place. His idea laid the foundation for modern forensic science and coined the phrase ‘every contact leaves a trace’.

Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints, but his hair, the fibres from his clothes, the glass he breaks, the tool mark he leaves, the paint he scratches, the blood or semen he deposits or collects. All of these and more, bear mute witness against him. This is evidence that does not forget. It is not confused by the excitement of the moment. It is not absent because human witnesses are. It is factual evidence. Physical evidence cannot be wrong, it cannot perjure itself, it cannot be wholly absent. Only human failure to find it, study and understand it, can diminish its value.
Prof. Edmond Locard

Chaired by artist, curator and writer Jane Wildgoose, this conference will highlight the individual practices of Alison Fendley, Shelly Goldsmith, Carole Hayman and Anna Motz and explore their work in relation to Locard’s principle and each others work. Key themes include: ‘the self’ as evidenced in physical material; psychological indelibility – how past actions can create future behaviour and the similarities and differences in how contemporary artists and forensic scientists develop narratives to find meaning.

Conference details

Venue: Fabrica, 40 Duke Street, Brighton (see website for location and travel details)
11am – Registration
11.15 - Conference starts – Introduction and individual presentations by the main contributors: Alison Fendley, Shelly Goldsmith, Carole Hayman and Anna Motz
1.30-2.15pm – Lunch
2pm - Conference resumes – Exploring the themes of the exhibition, led by Jane Wildgoose
3.00pm – Plenary session, followed by tea and coffee
4pm - End

Speaker details (pdf download)

Booking form (pdf download)