Alexander Calder
EC Arts recent trip to Chicago with artists Ben Long and Tom Bloor was very inspiring on a number of levels (more news on the trip to follow) but for now …. Alexander Calder one of the very best
Highcross
EC Arts Highcross public art project for Hammersons; artists’ Hannah Hull, Matt Watkins, Paul Wright, Craig Bush, Theodora Pangos and Sarah Nokes + guests later on in the summer.
We have occupied an empty hair salon with the intention to create temporary responses to the shopping centre and project brief. DMU multidisciplined students and aforementioned artists will develop ideas that aim to inform a permanent public art commission for St Peter’s Square.
Photos – 1st day in the salon with artists + De Montfort University students
Artist Hannah Hull talking to De Montfort University students
For more photos please click here – EC Arts Facebook page
Bournville/Cadbury archives
Sarah Nokes, EC Arts in her element getting stuck into the the Bournville/Cadbury archives; numerous old print treasures found including 1930′s letters from Borunville exchange students in Russia.
mots viande
EC Arts in Lyon to develop the 48Sheet 2014 proposition.
Artist Elizabeth Rowe and Paul Wright Associate Wordist (Out of Phrase) joined Claire Farrell Director EC Arts, Sarah Nokes EC Arts and Anna Horton (BIAD Intern).
The group explored Lyon’s arts, culture, cuisine, public squares (over 100) and public art works (over 300). We met with several international partners to discuss the 48Sheet 2014 proposition and exchange opportunities between the sister cities.
Lots of exciting developments afoot, more information to follow.
With thanks to Birmingham City Council (GIC funding), BCC International team, Lyon Municipality, Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon, Beaux-Arts de Lyon for supporting our trip.
International funding
EC Arts have secured international grant funding to support research & development in both Lyon and Chicago.
EC Arts will develop further international cultural partnerships, and commission artists to explore and respond to Birmingham’s sister cities, with a view to creating new work, cultural exchange or collaboration within public space.
We are pleased to announce that Elizabeth Rowe (commissioned artist for 48Sheet 2010 and 2012) will be visiting Lyon with EC Arts.
Above image: Will Go Underground, by Elizabeth Rowe for 48Sheet 2010
More updates and information to follow.
The project gratefully acknowledges Birmingham City Council, and is supported through Great International City funding.
Worcester Community Housing – Drakes Drum Project
EC Arts have been commissioned by Worcester Community Housing Ltd to develop, integrate and deliver a public art strategy for WCH long term redevelopments in the Dines Green area of Worcester.
Phase One is underway of this three phase project, more updates to follow in spring 2013
Leicester – Highcross Public Art
EC Arts have been commissioned to produce a public art project for Hammersons, Highcross shopping centre in Leicester.
The project will commission three artists and include a series of ephemeral interventions within the shopping centre and public space culminating in a permanent public art installation for Highcross in September 2013.
More information to follow shortly.
Bournville College Centenary Public Art Project
EC Arts have started work to produce a public art strategy for Bournville College with the aim to consider and incorporate both the history and future aspirations for Longbridge’s regeneration.
The project will launch September 2013 as part of Bournville College centenary celebrations.
More information and updates to follow.
September China trip to ‘the unseen’
Co curated by Jiehong Jiang(China) and Jonathan Watkins, Director Ikon Gallery(UK)
The Guangzhou Fourth Triennial by LUO YIPING, Chairman and Director of The Guangdong Museum of Art.opened on the 28th September 2012.
Claire Farrell (EC Arts) by kind invitation from Dr LUO Yiping and the Unseen Curators Jiehong Jiang and Jonathan Watkins attended the opening of The Fourth Guangzhou Triennial in Guangzhou, China last week. The invitation was a result of the Triennial offsite collaboration between MadeIn Company commissions for EC Arts 48Sheet project. The Triennial was exceptional across three venues; in particular the Guangdong exhibition of exciting artists work was enhanced by the incredible museum building.
The Fourth Guangzhou Triennial opening, Guangdong Museum of Art 28.9.12
This is the first exhibition in a very long time that stimulated, inspired and reengaged excitement in contemporary art. The opening ceremonies across three venues were also the most elaborate art events experienced to date!
Highlights: MadeIn Company, Xiaochun Miao, Vladimir Arkhipov, Felice Beato, Kyungah Ham, Zhi Jiang, Kan Xuan, Leung Chi Wo, Weizheng Tu, Cornelia Parker, Katie Patterson, Ruth Claxton and Tashweesh (Palestine).
above, MadeIn Company
above, Cornelia Parker
The screening of Tashweesh film at Guangzhou Opera House, was intense, layers upon layers of sound, image, installation and performance exploring issues connected with spatial politics, subjectivity, place and narrative of actual and remembered experiences, incredible work.
Guangzhou Opera House
The theme of this exhibition is straightforward, despite its suggestion of obscurity. Its title, the Unseen, a simple term with easy access, is a point of departure for a vast range of possible meanings that touch on the complexity of ways of seeing, blindness and envisaging, especially with respect to visual art.
The Unseen has been appropriated to create a variety of versions of history, which lead to different ideological, moral and cultural propositions, simultaneously to shape anticipation and anxiety with respect to the future. Beyond our grasp of the material world, the Unseen resides in impulses that resist representation, in realms of desire. For those with a spiritual tendency, towards ‘the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’, it constitutes faith in an infinity beyond the finite, in an eternity beyond the ephemeral. The Unseen has wide appeal, embracing and belonging to each of us. The exhibition provides a space for reflection, visually-led thinking, practice and reading, a platform to be shared by artists and others for creative dialogue around sustainable, extendable and transformable philosophical positions. It is about what we know and about the unknown; it is about our belief, the rationale of incredulity, and the assurance of hope.
The Fourth Guangzhou Triennial is set in three different areas, each area serving a different function: the Guangdong Museum of Art, as an exhibition space, the Guangzhou Opera House, as a performance space, and the Grandview Mall – one of the largest shopping centres in Southern China – as a public, non-museum space.
For more information please visit http://www.gdmoa.org/zhanlan/threeyear/Thefourth/23/en/Mediareports/22143.jsp
or for better images of the opening have a look at Rachel Marsdens words http://rachelmarsdenwords.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/the-unseen-the-4th-guangzhou-triennial/
Programme: The Guangdong Museum of Art 38 Yanyu Road, Er-sha Island, Zip: 510105, Guangzhou, China.
Artists: Ignasi Aballi, Giovanni Anselmo, Vladimir Arkhipov, Angie Atmadjaja, Felice Beato, Thomas Bewick, Alice Cattaneo, Chen Chieh-Jen, Ruth Claxton, Michael Craig-Martin, Du Yun, Marcel Dzama, Harold Edgerton, Dan Flavin, Ceal Floyer, Yukio Fujimoto, Gao Shiqiang, Franz Gertsch, Graham Gussin, Ham Jin, Ham Kyungah, Han Kyung Woo, Hu Yun, Huang Ran, Sofia Hulten, Ann Veronica Janssens, Jiang Zhi, Tim Johnson, Kan Xuan, On Kawara, Lee Seungae, Leung Chiwo, Liu Wei, Li Wei, Vladimir Logutov, Lu Yang, Lutz and Guggisberg, Madein Company, Miao Xiaochun, Francois Morellet, Kingsley Ng, Timur Novikov, Trevor Paglen, Cornelia Parker, Katie Paterson, Giuseppe Penone, Susan Philipsz, The Propeller Group, Josef Robakowski, Jadwiga Sawicka, Jonathan Schipper, Shen Shaomin, Shi Jinsong, Dayanita Singh, Sui Jianguo, Tan Ping, Ron Terada, Amikam Toren, Tu Weizheng, Rikuo Ueda, Wang Yuyang, Xiao Yu, Zhang Dali, Zhuang Hui
The Grand View project: Grandview Mall Tianhe Road No. 228, Zip: 510620, Guangzhou, China
Artists: Colin Chinnery, Graham Gussin, Guest, He An, Li Wei, Madein Company, The Propeller Group, Tof, Wang Jianwei, Yang Zhenzhong , Zheng Guogu, Zhou Xiaohu, Zhuang Hui and Dan’er Opera House project: Guangzhou Opera House 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guanghzou Artists: John Cage, Du Yun & Claire Chase, Katie Paterson, Tashweesh
Above image, MadeIn Company work at Grand View Project
MadeIn Company produced a series of of installations that were photographed and then destroyed, co curated by Jiehong Jiang and Jonathan Watkins. The work was presented in photographic form representing the work as visual documentation becoming not only a substitution for the original, but rather the ‘original’ itself, as the true original no longer exists. This situation can be extended to s further reassessment of the traditional notion of the authenticity of an artwork, or to a conception of a ‘multi-authentic’ representation For True Image, the ‘original’, ‘authentic’ copy, or more precisely, the ‘first form’ of the work, is no longer present.
Above photo Claire Farrell & Rachel Marsden at The Grandview Project, photo courtesy of Pete James
Heathrow T4
EC Arts are currently working on a public art project for Heathrow T4, commissioned by National Express.
Heathrow Central Bus and Coach Station
The UK’s busiest bus and coach station, located at the heart of the world’s busiest international airport, in 2004 Birmingham based D5 Architects were commissioned by National Express to take charge of the structure which most notably features a 1100 m² air inflated, translucent roof. The inflatable roof structure, designed in conjunction with well known balloonist Per Lindstrand, enabled the creation of a column free, triple storey internal space that will contribute to a safe, open and comfortable environment for its users. The self supporting canopy is also transparent, allowing the space to be naturally lit during daylight hours.
EC Arts have commissioned artist and designer Ian Richards to develop a concept based upon a series of site visits and consultation to identify reoccurring themes that could manifest into physical public artwork for the space.
Film maker Craig Bush (Big Bad Wolf Media) has also been commissioned to document the process.
Project timeline:
Project start: October 2012
Completion: April 2013
“Looking for Growth – Sack the Economists, Hire a Midlands Designer”
Birmingham City University based Think Tank, Idea Birmingham has today launched a report at the Conservative Party Conference on the role that innovation and design is playing in stimulating growth and economic recovery. The report highlights the contribution of Midlands brand led businesses to the modern economy and calls for more support and recognition for the work that is being done.
Beverley Nielsen, founder of Idea Birmingham, said at the launch:
“Something remarkable is happening in the Midlands. In the face of a flat-lining economy we are seeing a renaissance amongst our leading brands. Last year we were the second largest exporting region in the UK. Companies like Jaguar Land Rover, JCB, Rolls Royce and the body of medium and small sized businesses such as Brooks England, Emma Bridgewater, Acme Whistles, Pashley Cycles, are satisfying the desires of consumers around the world for luxury and authentic products. Growth doesn’t come from talking about economic models – it comes from supporting firms that innovate and design the products that people want to buy. The Midlands has these firms by the bucket load and is fast becoming a national hub for pioneering technology, international brands and beautiful pieces of design. This is our USP and we need to work together to support the firms we have and the talent coming out of our universities.”
In supporting this initiative Secretary of State, Dr Vince Cable said:
“We applaud this initiative to highlight the importance of design-led manufacturing in Birmingham and the role this region has played through design in improving the quality of life for people around the world.”
Councillor Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council said, “I look forward to it promoting our region’s design and innovation excellence and encouraging greater collaboration and best practice growth across all sectors.”
Idea Birmingham’s report and call to arms is supported by leading Midlands brands, including Jaguar Land Rover, JCB, Emma Bridgewater, Aga Rangemaster, Morgan Motor Company, Brooks England and Acme Whistles.
Glenn Howells of Glenn Howells Architects said, “A lack of collaboration between businesses is holding back innovation capacity – both between and across the private and public sectors. Our survey shows that we can drive greater growth through businesses learning from each other and working together more through a focus on design and innovation to create new demand and satisfy existing markets.”
For more information about this and Idea Birmingham please click here
