Curriculum vitae
​

SELECTED WORK
Selected performance, installation, screen work, exhibitions, lectures & curation
​
2020
  • Curated SPILL Look Back online screenings to mark postponement of SPILL 2020
  • The Pyre Parade, annual public ritual, The Rough Band & Pacitti Company​, Ipswich
  • Death Walk - A Beating, ritual walk development, The Rough Band, Ipswich
  • SPILL Young Curators, rolling ​programme, Ipswich 
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme 
​
2019
  • The Pyre Parade, annual public ritual, Rough Band & Pacitti Company, Ipswich
  • The Ipswich Biscuit, public competition, gala & vote
  • Block Magic installation, Cornhill, Ipswich
  • Tarot Weekender, with Diana Taylor, Think Tank
  • The Pyre Choir, Rough Band, Pacitti Company & the public, Think Tank
  • Fresh, platform for young people, with Outreach Youth & Future Female Society
  • Here's To Tomorrow, public conversations and manifesto led by young people
  • Death Walk - Mourning Sickness, ritual walk, Rough Band, Ipswich
  • A Matter of Taste research period with Prof Martin Jones, leading to Ipswich Biscuit
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme

2018
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - On Time
  • The Pyre Parade, premiere, public ritual, Rough Band & Pacitti Company, Ipswich
  • Block Magic, Pacitti Company & EDRM, Ipswich Waterfront
  • Zombie, Pacitti Company with Briarbank Brewery, Ipswich
  • Shared Frameworks, Pacitti Company, Ipswich Arts School Gallery
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme

2017
  • Teenage Kicks, crash course in performance art for young people, with Shabnam Shabazi, Hester Chillingworth, Beth Nesbitt, Think Tank
  • Junkyard research period with architects EDRM, leading to Block Magic
  • Ethical Taxidermy Weekender, with Jazmine Miles-Long, Dr Pat Morris, Tonja Grung
  • The Art & Science of Living & Dying extended research period with Lucy Walker
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme

2016
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - En Masse
  • Performing Collections: Under The Skin, with Ipswich Museum
  • Performing Collections: Museums of Tomorrow, with Ipswich Museum
  • Performing Collections: Learning from the public, with Ipswich Museum
  • Established SPILL Body Lab, The Art & Science of Living, & Dying, & A Matter of Taste
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme

2015
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - On Spirit
  • Moving Mountains, installation, Toynbee Studios, London
  • Moving Mountains, premiere, installation, High Street Exhibition Gallery, Ipswich
  • SPILL Tarot Exhibition, Contact, Manchester (three month duration)
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme
​
2014
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - On Surrender
  • Thread, video installation, Art: Science: Life, Ipswich Art School Gallery
  • Performing Collections Symposium, with Think Tank Associates Professor John Bowers, Lucy Walker & Johanna Linsley
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme

2013
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - On Contact
  • Performing Collections: The Shadow Museum, with Season Butler, Ipswich
  • Established Performing Collections, commissioning artists to respond to the collections and displays of Ipswich Museum​
  • On Landguard Point multiple film screenings across year, including Barbican Cinema London, Cornerhouse Manchester​, Les Halles de Schaerbeek, Brussels
  • Curated annual rolling Think Tank programme

2012
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - On Proximity
  • On Landguard Point - A People's Peculiar, exhibition & participatory installation opens at the Museum of East Anglian Life (shown 2012 - 2020)​
  • On Landguard Point, multiple cinema screenings across the East of England, including Bedford, Cambridge, Colchester, Harwich, Norwich, Watford
  • On Landguard Point, world premiere film screening, Ipswich Film Theatre
  • Opened the Think Tank in a specially refurbished wing of Ipswich Museum, Suffolk

2011
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - On Infection
  • SPILL Tarot Exhibition, Barbican, London
  • On Landguard Point - Michael Nyman soundtrack premiere, Spa Pavillion, Felixstowe
  • On Landguard Point - Three Minute Experts Trail, various locations, Felixstowe
  • On Landguard Point - Flags Flying, durational outdoor performance installations, Cromer, Dunwich Heath, Felixstowe, Great Yarmouth, Latitude Festival, Overstrand, Shoeburyness
  • On Landguard Point - Dig & Sow, with Carenza Lewis and Access Archaeology Cambridge, public digs in people's gardens and on common ground - Ashwell Hertfordshire, Clavering Essex, Maidenhall Suffolk, Peakirk Cambridgeshire, Paston Norfolk, Potton Bedfordshire
  • On Landguard Point - An Edible Compass, Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket

2010
  • Key note speech, Magnetic North Industry Symposium, Kitchener Waterloo, Canada
  • SPILL Feast, Magnetic North, Kitchener Waterloo, Canada
  • Finale, site specific group performance & residency, Huddersfield
  • On Landguard Point, research & development intensive, London & East of England
  • Relocated Pacitti Company to Ipswich, Suffolk

2009
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - On Agency
  • SPILL Tarot Deck, invited guest contributors, photographed by Manuel Vason, designed by Justin Weyers & Jacinta Sullivan
  • SPILL Tarot Exhibition, premiere, Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster
  • A Forest, Barbican, London
  • Intermission, premiere, performed by Sheila Ghelani, Soho Theatre, London
  • On Landguard Point,  research & development intensive, London & East of England

​2008
  • Finale, residency and group performance, Live Works, Performance Space, Sydney Australia
  • Civil, performed by Dicky Eton, Live Works Festival, Performance Space, Sydney Australia
  • Civil, performed by Dicky Eton, ArtsHouse, Melbourne Australia
  • Civil, performed by Dicky Eton, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Australia
  • On Dying paper at The Mourners Dance by Doran George, Chisenhale, London

2007
  • Grand Finale, site specific group performance & residency, Shunt Vaults, London
  • Civil, performed by Dicky Eton, Barbican, London
  • SPILL Festival of Performance - inaugural edition
  • Finale, site specific group performance & residency, Teatro India, Rome
2006
  • A Forest, Inbetween Time Festival Bristol​

2005
  • Audiology, Hebbel am Ufer Berlin
  • Finale, site specific group performance, Palais Des Beaux-Arts (BOZAR), Brussels, Belgium
  • Finale residency, CIFAS, Brussels, Belgium
  • A Forest, Tramway Glasgow, Scotland
  • Civil, performed by Dicky Eton, Les Halles de Schaerbeek Brussels, Belgium
  • Civil, remake premiere, performed by Dicky Eton, Chelsea Theatre London
  • A Forest, group performance, premiere Camden People's Theatre London ​​

2004
  • ​Audiology, Escena Contemporanea Madrid, Spain
  • Audiology, Alsager Arts Centre
  • Audiology, Colchester Arts Centre,
  • Audiology, Contact Manchester
  • Audiology, Dartington Arts Studio
  • Audiology, Leeds Metropolitan University
  • Audiology, Les Halles de Schaerbeek Brussels, Belgium
  • Audiology Powerhouse, Nottingham
  • Audiology, Tramway Glasgow, Scotland
  • Independent research residency, Ljubljana, Slovenia

2003
  • Three Duets, Castle Fields Gallery, Manchester
  • Three Duets, three channel video installation premiere, Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol
  • Audiology, Forum Fries Theatre, Dusseldorf, Germany
  • Audiology, group performance, premiere, The Place, London
  • Finale, site specific group performance, Panorama RioArte de Danca, Brazil
  • Finale residency, SESC Copocabana, Brazil
  • Finale, site specific group performance & residency, Old Toxteth Reservoir Liverpool
  • Finale, site specific group performance & residency, Fierce Festival Birmingham,
  • Finale, site specific group performance & residency, Galleries of Justice Nottingham
  • Sympathy For The Devil, artist talk, Ital Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Sympathy For The Devil, artist talk, SESC Copocabana, Brazil

2002​
  • Finale, Theater Arsenic, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Finale, Arnolfini Bristol, 
  • Finale, Colchester Arts Centre
  • Finale, Lyric Hammersmith

2001​
  • ​Finale, group performance, premiere Oval House London
  • Development intensive of solo work This Is Not A Love Song into group work Finale

2000
  • This is Not A Love Song, performance, Raimund Hoghe Week, Leuven, Belgium
  • Suspended Sentence, public interventions, various outdoor sites, London
  • Songbird, performance installation, toilets of Crash nightclub, London
​
1999​
  • Evidence of Life After Death, Arnolfini, Bristol
  • Evidence of Life After Death, Drill Hall, London
  • Evidence of Life After Death, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
  • Evidence of Life After Death,  group performance, premiere, Southbank Centre, London
  • Civil, Theater Arsenic, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Civil, Fierce Festival, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
  • Precious Thing, online installation, Fierce Earth, Birmingham
  • An Increased Sensation of Weightlessness, performance installation, People Show, London

1998
  • Civil, Ex-Teresa Festival, Mexico City, Mexico
  • Family Portrait, Bumboy 5, exhibition, Showroom Gallery, London
  • Self-Elimination - Redundant, performance, hÄb, Greenroom, Manchester 
  • Self-Elimination - Flirt, outdoor installation, hÄb, Arndale Centre exterior, Manchester 
  • Civil, Colchester Arts Centre

​1997
  • Wallpaper for Freedom, Bum-Boy 4, Freedom Cafe, London
  • Pull-Out Poster, Bum-Boy 3, independently distributed in UK, Europe & North America
  • Cassette Tape, Bum-Boy 2, independently distributed in UK, Europe & North America
  • Civil, Leibesvisitationen Festival, Nuremburg, Germany
  • Civil, NOW Festival, Powerhouse, Nottingham
  • Civil. solo performance premiere, ICA, London
  • Blue Murder, duet performance development, Chisenhale, London
​
1996
  • Magazine, Bum-Boy 1, independently distributed in UK, Europe & North America.
  • Civil, group performance, premiere, Queer Up North, Dance House, Manchester

1995
  • Geek, Royal Court Theatre, London
  • Geek, Centre for Combined Arts, Glasgow

1994
  • Geek, Powerhouse Nottingham (cancelled due to protests over obscenity)
  • Geek, group performance, premiere, ICA, London

1993
  • The Architecture of Anatomy, performance installation, ICA, London
  • He Was A Scary Baby, performance, WOW, New York, USA

1992
  • He Was A Scary Baby, performance, Nottingham Now Festival
  • He Was A Scary Baby, performance, Colchester Arts Centre
  • He Was A Scary Baby, performance, Spring Exhibitionists, ICA, London

​1991
  • Untitled Behaviour, Parts One to Twenty-Sicks, exhibition, G4 gallery space, Brighton
  • Untitled Behaviour, Parts One to Twenty-Sicks, performance, Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton

1990
  • Reflections of An Unsung Hero, performance, Marlborough Theatre, Brighton
​
1989
  • Lust, performance, Marlborough Theatre, Brighton
SPILL FESTIVAL OF PERFORMANCE
​Creator, curator & artistic director of 10 international festivals, 2007 - 2021

​SPILL 2020 - On Memory
Full festival planned & curated, postponed until October 2021 due to the Covid pandemic

SPILL 2018 - On Time 
​Ipswich, 11 days
  • Structure: 128 live events, including large-scale outdoor sound installation  Clarion Call by Byron J Scullin, Supple Fox, featuring Beth Gibbons & Elizabeth Fraser, and Inter_Versal by Chris Carter & Cosey Fanni Tutti, SPILL Open, gigs, parties, launch of The Pyre Parade, launch of Block Magic, Processions exhibition by Artichoke, launch of On Time - The SPILL Reader,  launch of Zombie (official beer of SPILL 2018), SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Cafe, SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: SPILL Central temporary festival space, multiple empty shops, Christchurch Park, Dance East, Empire Cinemas, High Street Exhibition Gallery, Holywells Park, Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich Film Theatre, Ipswich Library, Ipswich Museum, Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, Ipswich Waterfront, La Tour Cycle Café, New Wolsey Theatre, Quay Place, Salthouse Harbour Hotel, St. Lawrence Church, Town Hall & Corn Exchange, University of Suffolk, and on the streets

SPILL 2016 - En Masse
Ipswich - 5 days
  • Structure: 126 live events, including world premieres of [NAMES] by Elaine Mitchener and Sanctuary Ring by Martin O'Brien & Sheree Rose, launch of SPILL Open, SPILL Symposium, gigs, parties, SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Cafe, SPILL Thinker in Residence (Johanna Linsley), SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: SPILL Dome, Arlingtons, Christchurch Park, Dance East, former Drum & Monkey, High Street Exhibition Gallery, Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich Film Theatre, Ipswich Museum, Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House, La Tour Cycle Café, New Wolsey (Main House, Studio), Pump & Grind, Reg Driver Centre, St. Clement's Church, Town Hall & Corn Exchange, University of Suffolk, Willis Building, and on the streets

SPILL 2015 - On Spirit
London - 14 days
  • Structure: 100 live events including Inextinguishable Fire by Cassils and Written In Sand, Ribbon Gate and Shock Treatment by Karen Finley, SPILL National Platform, SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Thinker in Residence (Topher Campbell), SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: Andaz Hotel, Barbican (Conservatory, Pit, Cinemas, foyers, public spaces), Hackney Showroom, National Theatre (Dorfman Theatre, NT Studio, Weston Terrace), Parliament Square, Royal Festival Hall, Toynbee Studios, and on the streets

SPILL 2014 - On Surrender
Ipswich - 5 days
  • Structure: 105 live events, including Bone Library by SJ Norman and The Poetics of Trespassing by Keijaun Thomas, SPILL National Platform, gigs, parties, SPILL Cafe, SPILL Thinker in Residence (Cassils), SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: Former Ipswich Police Station (ballroom, bunker, car parks, offices, rifle range), Arlingtons, Dance East, High Street Exhibition Gallery, Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich Film Theatre, New Wolsey (Main House, Studio), St. Clement's Church, Town Hall & Corn Exchange, on the streets

SPILL 2013 - On Contact
London - 11 days
  • Structure: 86 live events, including 24 Hour Quizoola by Forced Entertainment and The Salon Project by Untitled Productions, SPILL National Platform, SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Folk Academy, SPILL Thinker in Residence (Tim Etchells), SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: Barbican (Theatre, Pit, Cinemas, exhibition spaces, foyers, public spaces), Guildhall, Neil House, NT Studio, Soho Theatre, Toynbee Studios, Whitechapel Gallery, on the streets

SPILL 2012 - On Proximity
Ipswich - 5 days
  • Structure: 120 live events, including world premiere of Empress Stah in Space by Empress Stah with Ron Athey, Lydia Lunch & Peaches, SPILL National Platform, SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Study Cafe, SPILL Screenings, SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: Former Malthouse (old nightclub spaces, disused basements, car park), Arlingtons, Dance East, High Street Exhibition Gallery, Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich Film Theatre, New Wolsey (main house, studio), Town Hall & Corn Exchange, on the streets

SPILL 2011 - On Infection
London - 7 days
  • Structure: 70 live events, including Schrei 27 by Diamanda Galas & Davide Pepe, SPILL National Platform, launch of the SPILL Tarot exhibition, SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Thinker in Residence (Oreet Ashery), SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: Barbican (Hall, Theatre, Pit, cinema, exhibition spaces, foyers, public spaces, scene dock), Guildhall, National Theatre Studio

SPILL 2009 - On Agency
London - 21 days
  • Structure: 180 live events, including major trilogy of Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso by Romeo Castellucci, launch of the SPILL National Platform,  launch of the SPILL Tarot deck, SPILL Thinker in Residence (Kira O'Reilly), SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography
  • Locations: Barbican (Theatre, Pit, Cinemas, foyers, public spaces), Guildhall, Laban, National Theatre Studio, Shunt Vaults, Soho Theatre, Southbank (QEH, Purcell Room, Undercroft), Toynbee Studios

SPILL 2007 - inaugural edition
London - 21 days 
  • Structure: ​64 live events, including Grand Finale by Pacitti Company featuring 22 international guest performers, SPILL Symposium, Future Classic exhibition, SPILL Onscreen, SPILL Think Tank programme, SPILL Writing, SPILL Feasts, SPILL TV & Photography 
  • Locations: Barbican (Pit, foyers, public spaces), Shoreditch Town Hall, Shunt Vaults, Soho Theatre, Southbank (QEH, Purcell Room)


SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

2020
  • The Eden Reader, edited by Robert Pacitti & Lucy Walker, foreword by Vivian Chinasa Ezugha, with invited contributors, published by Pacitti Company. ISBN: 978-0-9565547-3-5

2018
  • On Time - A SPILL Reader, edited by Diana Damian-Martin, with invited contributors, published by Pacitti Company. ISBN: 978-0-9565447-2-8

2014
  • The Think Tank Workbook, edited by Robert Pacitti, Lucy Walker & Deveril, with invited contributors, published by Pacitti Company. ISBN: 978-0-9565447-1-1

2009 
  • SPILL Tarot Deck, conceived of by Robert Pacitti, researched with Carla Esperanza Tommasini & Sheila Ghelani, starring 22 invited artist contributors photographed by Manuel Vason, designed by Justin Weyers & Jacinta Sullivan. Published by Pacitti Company.

2008
  • SPILL Festival - On Agency, edited by Robert Pacitti & Sheila Ghelani, with invited contributors, published by Pacitti Company. ISBN 978-0956544704

1999
  • Evidence of Life After Death, book & audio soundtrack by Robert Pacitti, edited by Dr. Andrea Phillips designed by UXB. Published by Pacitti Company. ISBN: 0 9535950 0 5

​
SELECTED AWARDS, ACTIVITY & APPOINTMENTS

2020
  • Awarded Seeds of Change funding, Ipswich Borough Council

2019
  • Appointed first Patron of Outreach Youth
  • Awarded three year funding by John Ellerman Foundation 
  • Co-commissioned Sonia Hughes in partnership with Jerwood Arts

2018​
  • Winner, Best Marketing, SPILL Festival of Performance, Norfolk & Suffolk Tourism Awards
  • Co-commissioned  Clarion Call in partnership with 14-18 NOW
  • Secured Foyle Foundation funding for Clarion Call 
  • Awarded National Portfolio Organisation four year funding, Arts Council England
  • Awarded three year funding, Ipswich Borough Council

2015
  • Awarded Honorary Visiting Professor of the Arts, University of Suffolk (rolling to current)
  • Awarded National Portfolio Organisation three year funding, Arts Council England
  • Awarded three year funding, Ipswich Borough Council
  • SPILL National Platform, Showcase & New Producers schemes supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation (three year funding 2016 - 2018)

2014
  • Awarded Catalyst funding, Arts Council England

2013
  • Guest curator, School of the Arts Institute, Chicago
  • Awarded Unlocked funding, Ipswich Museum​
  • Included in the hClub 100 list of influential people working in UK arts
  • SPILL National Platform & Showcase supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation (two year funding 2014 - 15)

2012​
  • Awarded National Portfolio Organisation three year funding, Arts Council England
  • Awarded three year funding, Ipswich Borough Council
  • SPILL National Platform & Showcase supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation, (two year funding, 2012 - 13)

2011
  • SPILL National Platform supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation

2009​
  • Artists Taking The Lead, East of England, Arts Council England & London 2012
  • London selector, National Review of Live Art Elevator programme (three years)

2008
  • Awarded Regularly Funded Organisation three year funding, Arts Council England

2007
  • Theatre Production Fund award, Arts Council England

2004
  • Fellowship - King Alfreds University College, Winchester
  • Awarded Regularly Funded Organisation three year funding, Arts Council England

2002
  • Mentor - Time_Place_Space hybrid performance laboratory, Wagga Wagga Australia
  • Arnolfini Breathing Space Commission, Bristol
  • Mentor, Expo Festival, Nottingham
  • Presenter, Everything you wanted to know about Live Art but were afraid to ask,  Live Art Development Agency, Queen Mary University, London

2001​
  • Awarded Regularly Funded Organisation three year funding, Arts Council England
  • Lux Digital Performance Commissions - selection panel member, London

2000
  • Small Acts at the Millennium Commission, Live Art Development Agency, London
  • Klapstuc Commission, Leuven, Belgium
  • Arnolfini Commission, Bristol
  • Nightbird Commission, Duckie, London
  • Live Art Development Agency​ One to One Bursary, selection panel member, London 
  • Artsadmin Bursary Scheme, selection panel member, London
​
1999​
  • Theatre Production Fund, selection panel member, Arts Council England (1991 - 2001)
  • Artsadmin Bursary recipient, London
  • Fierce Earth Commission, Birmingham
  • Awarded Live Art Development Agency​ One to One Bursary, for a year long self-determined programme of making, with artist & dramaturge Raimund Hoghe as mentor​

​1997​
  • Chisenhale Trash Commission, London
  • Electronic Arts New Media Commission, panel member, London Filmmakers Co-op

1996
  • Theatre Production Fund award, London Arts Board
  • Combined Arts Research award, Arts Council of England

1995
  • Queer Up North Commission
  • New Work Network co-founder & steering committee member (1995 - 2000)

1994
  • Theatre Production Fund award, London Arts Board
  • Barclays New Stages Award
  • First recipient of the Ron Vawter Commission,  ICA, London

1992 
  • ​Spring Exhibitionists for National Review of Live Art, ICA London 

​1990 
  • ​APUT Commission
  • Supported by personal patronage of Lindsey Kemp
​
© Robert Pacitti 2024