‘The Polity of Φ’ is a yearlong community-led research project encouraging an open dialogue into the right to inhabit specific geographies, creating a platform for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees to interrogate personal notions of “home”.

These ideas of “home” and “belonging” are often challenged by the damaging discourse of right wing politics and the extended difficulties encountered by those applying for visas to reside in the UK.

This project will culminate in its presentation at Glasgow Project Room in Trongate 103, during the “Declaration” Health and Human Rights Festival, taking place 5th – 12th March 2016 and at the Intermedia Gallery at the CCA during 7th-25th April as part of Glasgow International (GI).

On the evening of 5th March, between 6-9pm, Uster and Whittle will be hosting The Polity of Φ: The Call, an event similar to Speakers Corner, where participants speak freely at the ‘Φ podium’ at the Glasgow Project Room. This free event is an opportunity to become part of the growing conversations about exactly who is welcome in Scotland. Confirmed speakers include the Glasgow Girl Amal Azzudin; activists, Pinar Aksu, Joshua Brown, Graham Campbell, Fuad Alakbarov, Olivia Ndoti, Teresa Piaceniti and Giovanna Fassetta from GRAMNet, Isabel Harland from Govan and Craigton Integration Network (GCIN), Margaret Woods from Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Margaret Sweeney from Glasgow Night Shelter, representatives from Umbrella Lane, as well as individuals directly on the frontline, who have arrived in Scotland as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Following « The Call » at the Glasgow Project Room, Deniz Uster and Alberta Whittle will present an immersive installation at CCA. Visitors are invited to negotiate individual and governmental responses to territory and freedom of movement by making settlement applications to the Polity of Φ, a floating nomadic country peopled by an autarchic community. Free weekly programme of Advice Surgeries has been coordinated to provide information on support services within Glasgow, legal advice on citizenship and visa applications, housing advice and community outreach initiatives. Advice surgeries will be held throughout Glasgow International and will be held at Intermedia  Gallery in the CCA. Confirmed participants include:

• Umbrella Lane – April 11th (11am-5pm)

• DASS Project – April 13th (1:30-5pm)

• Positive Action in Housing – April 14th (1-4pm)

• Legal Services Agency – April 15th (11am-5pm)

• Glasgow Night Shelter – April 23rd (12-5pm)

The Polity of Φ has been coordinated by Deniz Uster and Alberta Whittle, working in partnership with Maryhill Integration Network (MIN), Govan and Craigton Integration Network (GCIN) and has been generously supported by Creative Scotland, the Art Store, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Project Room and the CCA and Pan African Arts Scotland. Deniz Uster and Alberta Whittle will be conducting an Artists’ Talk about the project on April 16th (4-5pm).

For further information, contact Deniz Uster at deniz@denizuster.com or Alberta Whittle at albertawhittle@gmail.com or follow us at http://thepolityofphi.weebly.com