Having watched original footage of the confrontation between police and pickets on 18 June 1984, Jeremy Deller found those images stayed with him to such an extent that eventually he decided to find out more about what happened and commemorate it in some way.  Following two years of research and planning, this resulted in a reenactment in 2001 that involved 800 participants. Some were local people - including those who had been either police or striking miners on the picket line - as well as members of Battle Reenactment Societies.

I found it quite tough watching the reenactment video and, in some ways, even tougher watching the documentary film that describes its making, as comments from politicians,  trades unionists and local people involved in 1984, exposed many of the unhealthy aspects of the times. Having watched events unfold during the ‘80s, I’ve found it quite hard to separate an urge to explore further the purely social and political aspects rather than give consideration to the film’s role as Socially Engaged Art (SEA). Maybe the artwork has achieved one of its objectives!

An image from 1984 showing the full extent of the confrontation

The presence of mounted police added to the fear and violence

See the page from Jeremy Deller's own website HERE where he describes his motivation for the work and includes stills from the making and finished video.

This film describes the making of Deller's video. The actual reenactment is towards the end but prior to that there is fascinating input from participants, politicians and trades union people. 

What you won't see very much of at all is women! A pity, I suspect, because I understood at the time that they featured heavily in background, e.g. bringing food out to the pickets and, despite the financial deprivation experienced because of the strike, fully supporting the actions being taken. Mind you, Margaret Thatcher does feature as she talks about "the enemy within". Seeing parallels with some current populism anyone? 

For those young enough not to remember the 1980s, the film informs and educates, using its methods of participation and drama to bring the story very much to life. And in his book ‘Education for Socially Engaged Art’, Pablo Helguera talks about the Reggio Emilia Approach, initiated in Northern Italy, where ‘spontaneous, creative, collaborative and participatory’ activities enabled children to learn through experience. In defining SEA he says it is primarily ‘about understanding and working with audience engagement and response for artistic purpose’ and describes the importance of the social interaction and process.

This example of SEA does raise questions for me about its role as an artwork. Clearly it was intended to be so by the artist (and therefore should be considered as such) but, if a viewer had not come across Jeremy Deller’s explanations prior to watching the film, they might have considered its purpose to be more theatrical or educational. 

Supporting Deller was Artangel, an arts organisation that 'goes where others fear to tread', developing 'daring new work' and responding to the current environment. Their page about the work and its making can be seen HERE.

Benefits - and potential disadvantages - of engaging with others in Art practice

 Collaboration can be challenging, requiring effective teamwork, but at its best can bring together knowledge, experience and perspectives that contribute greatly to the process and eventual outcome. For an artist wishing to engage others in a project, this means understanding and employing the skills that create meaningful and harmonious participation. It probably also helps to be clear about the purpose and share that understanding with participants so that they can fully engage with the experience.

I am unlikely to give SEA a role in my own art practice currently as my focus is on drawing and painting - therefore static artworks that don’t ask for participation from others, particularly in the making process.

References:

Helguera, P. (2011) Education for Socially Engaged Art: A Materials & Techniques Handbook. New York: Jorge Pinto Books Inc.

Link to the full video:

https://www.artangel.org.uk/project/the-battle-of-orgreave/

Artangel website details:     

https://www.artangel.co.uk