Debating Society and Run

Debating Society and Run was a site-specific peformance occupying Loughborough University's Lawn Fountain, then overlooked by the University's Marketing headquarters and its Students' Union. It continued Titchner's exploration into language and found text by temporarily recreating the University's Debating Society, which had not previously existed since 1949. A debating structure featuring a stage and eight speakers was constructed, with historic debates resurrected and new debates initiated. Around this, Titchner set up a running track, offering a new challenge to university athletes to record the quickest time around this historic circuit. Through this, Titchner connected political ideology to physical excellence, tracing an uneasy parallel between athletic dominance and the intellectual combat of debate. 

Mark Titchner is fascinated by the myriad systems of belief that permeate contemporary culture. He often revisits defunct and outmoded philosophies, especially those born out of an avant-garde idealism which has long since waned. Conflicting theories are extracted from their historical framework and submitted to us for reappraisal, reassembled as hybrid installations incorporating wall paintings, vinyl banners, performance, light boxes and hand-carved sculptures.