TONIGHT THE CITY LIES BEFORE US
BUT WE ARE BESIDE OURSELVES WITH BOREDOM

Just as the birth of the 20th century demanded new forms of art, so too does the birth of the 21st century demand new forms of leisure. What we are interested in is exploring radical approaches to creating and structuring social relationships through leisure activities. To this end we propose SPART: the ultimate hybrid of sport and art and therefore the most evolved form of leisure on the planet.
Since its inception in 2001 SPART has developed as a strategic embodied questioning of the interrelation of art and life in the late 20th / early 21st century. Drawing on a rich legacy of political and artistic thought SPART explores the legacy of 20th century avant-gardist politics and art within a 21st century context. In keeping with this, SPART explores the potential of the dissolution of the category of ‘Art’ through embodying and evolving questions regarding the politics and role of creativity, culture and leisure within 21st century western neo-liberal society.
This web site exists to provide information on SPART and the SPART Action Group. SPART works have been presented throughout Europe, America and Canada from venues as notable as the Ludwig Museum to venues as everyday as small English bars. SPART's main ideas on art are laid out in the short publication On Art (A Short Polemic Manifesto), which can be read online by clicking here.

At the Crux of SPART is The SPART/LIFE Dichotomy:
SPART = The politicisation of leisure time
LIFE = My most profound leisure activity

Check out Recent News Below

SPART NEWS >>>>>>>>
The first series of residencies at the Centre for Suburban Research are now complete. A series of mail art book works have been made and distributed to mark each residency. More details to follow soon on this site

The latest edition of Circa Magazine (issue 125) includes a feature article by Justin McKeown on the affects of the 2012 London Olympics on Northern Ireland. visit Circa's web site for more details click here.

Meabh McDonnell & Justin McKeown will participate in the Art Strike conference in Alytus Lithuania at the end of June. More details to follow.

Stewart Home and Justin McKeown will be at Dartington Gallery from the 15th - 18th May 2008 working on a special commision. View the movie on YouTube Click here

Justin McKeown will participate in the exhibtion Starter for Six at the Star and Dove contemporary Art Space Bristol. The exhibition opens on the 1st May @ 6pm. For info on the exhibtion visit the Star and Dove Web site.

The SPART Action Winter Games 2008 were held in Belfast, Northern Ireland over the 7th, 8th & 9th Feb 2008. They truly were the best fun calorie burn this side of consensus reality. To find out more about them click here

Justin McKeown has become a wizard (no shit!) Read his Sorcery Manifesto and check out his blog chronicling his daily exposits as Belfast’s one and only magickal Psychonaut. Click here

Paul Stapleton's Project at the Centre for Suburban Research is now available online. Click here

SPART Announces participation in the Demolition Festival, Czech Republic (2nd October 2007). Opening of the event is at 4pm on 2nd October. to get location and directions click here

SPART on MYSPACE. Befriend us click here

In response to the major cuts to funding to arts and cultural organisations in Northern Ireland as a result of the Westminster governments diversion of lottery funds in order to pay for the 2012 London Olympics, we in the SPART Action Group are declaring a SPART strike from 2009 - 2012. During this time we will make no SPART works and we will discourage all other organisations and individuals in Belfast from producing sport/art hybrid works in response to the call for works for a Northern Irish cultural Olympiad. For more info click here

Quick links to Projects
Centre for Suburban Research here
On the Road to Bandung here
40 Minute Revolutions here
SPART Action: Psychonautic Magick here