About GHost

pauline_thomasGHost is a visual arts and creative research project which explores the nature of ghosts both metaphorically and practically in its activities. Serving as a supporting platform (or host) GHost aims to enable invited guests to visually and conceptually manifest and interrogate the idea of the ghost.

The project takes its title from a work by Marcel Duchamp:

“A GUEST + A HOST = A GHOST” Marcel Duchamp (1953).

The capitalising of the H in GHost is made in direct reference to Duchamp’s artwork and its linguistic allusions. GHost encapsulates multiple meanings in a single word by visually rendering the host a guest inside the ghost. As a visual arts and creative research project GHost takes on and explores the conceit of guests, hosts and ghosts, both metaphorically and practically, in its activities.

To date, the project has followed two central strands. Firstly, consideration is given to the socio-cultural relevance and uses of ghosts in the form of a programme of interdisciplinary seminars – so-called Hostings – originally held at the University of London’s Senate House, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, FACT (Foundation for art and Creative Technology Liverpool), Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, Liverpool, NTMoFA (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art). Secondly, GHost curates a series of exhibitions, screenings and performances designed to examine the aesthetics of ghosts and haunted spaces. Exhibitions have been held annually at the church of St John on Bethnal Green, London, and additional exhibitions and events have been organized at the London Art Fair 2011, the Folkestone Triennial 2011, Domo Baal Gallery 2013, Camberwell Free Film Festival, 2014 and Greenwich University 2015.

You can find more information and images archived on our GHost blog

or email us at ghost.hostings@gmail.com

GHost was initiated by Sarah Sparkes and Ricarda Vidal in 2008.
GHost is currently led by Sarah Sparkes