Working with different organisations across the UK from 2017 to 2019 L.A.L used performance, workshops and interventions to explore a satirical look at the ‘wellbeing industry’. L.A.L was a collaboration with Kevin Clarke that culminated in The FEELGOOD Centre, an interactive installation and exhibition at SET Studios Lewisham, London. Funded by the Arts Council England in 2019. A performance installation that wants to help you FEELGOOD.
L.A.L was a long term collaboration between Ames and artist Kevin Clarke, a performance/art duo using satire and comedy to create performance, video and print. Developed from their own experiences as Northern queers with mental health struggles, their works investigated the ways in which self care has been co-opted by Capitalism. ‘Rebranding life and selling it back to you!’ They made interactive performance environments which temporarily queered the galleries, festivals, institutions and community spaces they inhabited.
The FEELGOOD Centre was the culmination of a summer long research project in 2019, in which L.A.L travelled across the country leading a series of residencies. In this period they worked with participants and audiences at Mildmay Park Care Home, Burnley After The Rain LGBTQ+ Youth Theatre, The Outside Project, SET Studios, Hunt & Darton’s ‘Radio Local’ Salford and Theatre Deli Sheffield. The work sought to question who gets to feel good, when and on what terms.
Set up like a trade-fair for your own mental wellbeing, The FEELGOOD Centre offered real alternative life hacks to help you live your life. You could pick up a leaflet on ‘How to be Queer in a Rural Area’, gain your ‘City Guild Qualification in Paper Mache’, watch a video tutorial on ‘How to Make Swimwear out of Bags For Life’, take part in a workshop on ‘Floating’, or drop into ‘Dizzy’s Health Bar’ and enjoy a glass of Prosecco with Berroca. It’s about trying on a hat, reading a sign, smiling and nodding, dancing in a circle and just generally wandering around picking things up. In order to… FEELGOOD! The installation featured 4 video works, alongside printed pamphlets, dress up boxes and scripts for audiences to perform.
L.A.L have also worked and performed with Duckie Queer Fun 2017, Camberwell Arts Festival 2018, Islington Mill 2018, Strange Perfume South London Gallery 2018, Manchester Contemporary 2018, Planes & Perverts LGSMigrants 2019.
'Costumes 4 life', 'Make under', & 'Ikea a new life' are a series of films made specifically for The FEELGOOD Centre. Photos by Rosie Lonsdale
"What is L.A.L ?"
"L.A.L is everything you’ve ever wanted and nothing the Argos catalogue ever had."