An immersive, inclusive, sensory ‘happening’ evolving from 32 years of history, as part of Artist Archive.

Entelechy Arts’ Ambient Jam Collective is an ensemble of differently-abled artists who bring multi-sensory improvisation out of hiding and into engagement with the public. The collective grew from weekly improvisations between people with profound, complex and learning disabilities (PMLD) and dance/music/sculpture artists. Improvisations are sensitive to site and locality, multi-textural, mindful, profound, playful, often wondrously messy, open to the unexpected and non-verbally led.  

This Live Archive unhid Ambient Jam’s history and activism, foregrounding the contribution by members with PMLD towards an uncompromisingly honest way of being together. The durational multi-sensory improvisation shared an embodied heritage, an archive held in the long-term relationships, trust and care between people. “An improvisation to de-institutionalise ourselves.”

In parallel to the jam, a digital and tactile trail of Ambient Jam’s history was installed throughout the building; old films, scores, artists thoughts, carers insights and photographs. This trail mapped a history woven by the many differently abled people, artists, carers, families, who have shaped and formed Ambient Jam up until the moment of this archive.