In 1973, Gallery House Press, London, published Stephen Willats' essay The Artist as an Instigator of Changes in Social Cognition and Behaviour. Drawing upon developments in cybernetics, learning theory and computing, the essay proposed radically new ways for the artist to become a vector for sustainable change in society. Coinciding with the recent re-issue of the The Artist as an Instigator, this conversation between Willats and internationally renown curator and writer Hans Ulrich Obrist will consider the context in which the essay was written, with particular reference to Gallery House, a vital yet missing link in the history of conceptual art in London.

Open to all, free admission

Organised by Dr Sarah Wilson (The Courtauld Institute of Art) in collaboration with Antony Hudek (Occasional Papers)