FREE | ISSUE 6
CULTURE ON A SHOESTRING CULTURE ON A SHOESTRING IS A BLAZE PROJECT CREATED BY THE BLAZE TEAM. BLAZE IS A CULTURAL OLYMPIAD LEGACY PROJECT THAT WORKS ACROSS LANCASHIRE AND THE NORTH WEST TO CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CULTURAL PRODUCERS, ARTISTS AND ENTREPRENEURS. BLAZE IS BASED AT THE HARRIS LIBRARY IN PRESTON, AND IS FUNDED BY LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, BLACKPOOL COUNCIL, CURIOUS MINDS AND ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND. HELLO@CULTUREONASHOESTRING.CO.UK @CULTURESTRING DESIGNED AT AGENCY. AGENCY IS A YOUNG PEOPLE LED MEDIA COMPANY OPERATED BY BLACKBURN YOUTH ZONE.
GET CREATIVE // LOOK FESTIVAL // INTRODUCING ABSTRACT // ANSELM K // HAROLD OFFEH AT THE HARRIS // GYPSY CARROT // LIGHT IN BLACKBURN // CARAVAN GALLERY //SYNCHRONISTICAL ART //
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HELLO AND WELCOME TO ISSUE 6 OF CULTURE ON A SHOESTRING As you turn the pages, you’ll notice we’ve turned a new leaf- we have an all-new, all-star team! For fans of our past publications, we still have all our nitty-gritty screenshots, capturing the best creations of the most innovative artists around. For any new readers, I’m new too, so we are all in this together. This issue collects a wide variety of different arts reviews; a couple of fascinating interviews; and even a cheeky drop in from our friends over at Abstract. There’s anticipation for a Caravan exhibition, and the marvellous Gypsy Carrot. (History to such a curiosity piquing name may or may not be on page 16.) Whether or not you like mimes, dystopian plays based on real life spies, Hemp Redemption (or even a pinch of them all) we have something for you. Please feel free to let us know your thoughts on this, the latest issue. You can find us on Twitter at @CultureString, or through Blaze’s Facebook page, facebook.com/blazeyoutharts. We’d love to know your highlights so far, and maybe what would even make the next issue your favourite! Until next time, Bethany Pearson
CONTENTS EDITORIAL AND WELCOME TO ART:DDS // 03 // MEET THE TEAM // 04 // GET CREATIVE // 06 // LOOK FESTIVAL // 08 // INTRODUCING ABSTRACT // 11 // ANSELM K // 12 // HAROLD OFFEH AT THE HARRIS // 14 // GYPSY CARROT // 16 // LIGHT IN BLACKBURN // 19 // LYNDA MORRIS // 20 // CARAVAN GALLERY // 22 // SYNCHRONISTICAL ART // 24 // JOIN THE TEAM // 27 //
Introducing Art:ADDS Art:ADDS is an Arts Council England funded project from the Contemporary Visual Arts Network North West (CVAN). It has three priorities; Critical Writing, Artist Development and Young People. We at Blaze are thrilled to have been commissioned to develop and deliver the Young People’s strand and also contribute to
the Critical Writing element of the project. This edition of Culture on a Shoestring is brought to you by the Arts:ADDS project and we would like to thank the brilliant connections we have made throughout the North West through CVAN for helping us make the magazine even bigger and better.
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MEET THE TEAM
ANTONIA HENNERLY, is a painter, printmaker, blogger, poet and mum to one boy named Noah who she encourages to save the world. She is a Blackburn graduate in fine art and is currently co-curating Blackburn Printfest for the 16th May. She plans to study a Masters to create art that tells truth with magic and propels you into ‘the now’.
I’m BETHANY PEARSON, a book reader, a chocolate eater and a day dreamer. (All of which combine admirably well.) I love roses, writing and notepads. My adoration for Parker fountain pens is truly heart-warming. A sociable Sixth Former, if you ever did see one. Taylor Swift is my favourite musician. Unfortunately, I don’t like coffee.
STEPH BROCKEN is the Project Manager for Blaze on the Art:ADDS project. She also writes a lot but it generally tends to be funding bids, reports and the occasional food review. Oh, and a PhD…she always forgets that part!
SOPHIE SKELLERN is a Fine Art graduate who is passionate about all things art. She launched the Visual Arts strand to Blaze at the 2014 Blaze festival, and has since been working on all sorts of weird and wonderful things, including Lancashire’s first Photography Open. She is hoping to someday work on big arts festivals (such as Liverpool Biennial and Folkeston Triennial), and wants do a masters degree in Contemporary Curating.
I’m JOE CLARK a 20-year-old optimist, creative engineer and steak lover from Preston, Lancashire, currently working towards a qualification in cinematography.
CAMERON PROCTER is a photography student based in Blackburn. Raised in Reno, Nevada, he is interested in place and heavily influenced by northern England’s unique urban landscapes. Along with photography, Cameron currently blogs for the Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool and hopes to take his writing further, possibly pursuing it as a career after his degree.
ROSIE VALLELLY is from Nelson and took part in a Blaze placement at the ACE Centre a few years ago. She’s 19 and loves art, music and anything creative so is thrilled to have the chance to visit events in the North West and develop her writing through Culture on a Shoestring.
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For all involved, “Wow!” was the lasting impression from ‘Get Creative @ Artspace’. Asking around, many other superlatives like “awesome”, “amazing” and - my personal favourite from a youngster doing creative crafts - “fantabulous” were being used to describe the event.
Said event was a platform in St. John’s Church, Blackburn, urging people to ‘get creative’. On display were the many routes into different mediums, projects and organisations so locals in and around Blackburn had the opportunity and confidence to ‘get creative’. Here is just a sample of activities on the day. Attendees were free to enjoy a pom-pom and wool installation; time with artist in residence Sonny J Barker; art work on display, to view at leisure; bookmaking and paper crafts for the patient; life drawing and daring parkour demonstrations for the braver, but still keeping the audience with mouths ajar and on edge of their seats; singing, dancing, some impressive circus skills and finally, even graffiti! The event really was a pick and mix of the creative world. An enchanting puppet show, entitled ‘Praline Moment’ by Handheld Cinema, was one of the highlights of the day for myself. I personally also felt the sentiment was shared by the parents at the event, as it was one of the rare periods of silence from the children! The beautiful set and touching story of friendship seemed to captivate its audience completely and was rounded off, with a much appreciated, celebratory piece of chocolate for all!
Sue Allonby also helped keep youngsters very much entertained with her interactive storytelling, followed by a practical workshop which gave participants a fun and accessible way into the art form. It also reminded me of how storytelling is such a natural and necessary part of simply being human. Whether family tradition, sung in a song, memories of times past, children’s bed time stories, or religious texts, our stories define us and are how we communicate. Another highlight was the stage given to performance art. The dance performances and workshop gave another dimension to the event. Ludus Dance did a breath-taking and emotive performance, displaying the true brilliance and freedom to be found in modern contemporary dance. It almost tempted me to spontaneously pirouette, although somehow I don’t think I’d have looked quite so graceful!
used as an instrument of communication. It was eloquently conducted, and demonstrated just one showcase of the talent of our young people, and the need for more opportunities to show just how much they have to offer. Somewhereto_ also brought many other performances and talks to the event. They are an amazing organisation whose concept is simple, but brilliant. Their aim is to give young people an environment to do whatever it is they are passionate about. Whether finding rehearsal, exhibition, or performance space; workshops to hone a craft; or developing an idea a young person has, whatever it may be, somewhereto_ are the go-to contacts.
Matthew and Neve, two of the youngest holding a workshop, gave another avenue exploring dance. After a powerful performance by Matthew Rawcliffe, they brilliantly executed the
Somewhereto_’s Jordanne Booth gave a talk on her project idea entitled ‘Let’s Raise Self Esteem’. What with self-esteem often being a reoccurring issue, affecting everyone but with a particular focus on young people, this project in development is necessary and with the potential to have a both major and positive impact on many people’s lives.
breaking down of dance and choreography. For example, they showed both how the motion and shapes of the body can communicate words, feelings and concepts; and how the body can be
‘Get Creative’ had something for everyone. It felt at times as if the creativity was bursting the seams of St. John’s Church. The best factor
being there was no shortage of opportunities to actually get involved and be a part of the event. Whether younger or old(er!); preferring performance art, paint, or textiles; or simply curious to know more about the arts, people from every end of the spectrum came together to make this event what it was. Everyone tried everything, and the act of bringing all these different people together was a masterpiece in itself. CREATIVITY, WHATEVER FORM IT TAKES, IS ABOUT CONNECTION; OF PEOPLE, OF IDEAS, OF TALENTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS A NEVER-ENDING ENERGY THAT I FEEL ‘GET CREATIVE’ CAPTURED PERFECTLY. My only note for improvement: there needs to be many more events like this, to keep creativity alive and developing in our communities. So go on, what are you waiting for? Get Creative! –Rosie Vallely
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Cameron Procter: Your work typically
The Liverpool International Photography Festival (LOOK/15) is back this year, opening on Light Night-May 15th - and running until the 31st. This year, the focus lies on the all-encompassing and very Liverpudlian theme of Exchange; of materials, people, and ideas. This theme will be primarily represented through three key areas: migration, women, and memory. Intertwined, they will all relate back to one another through more than 25 exhibitions and 30 events, scheduled to run over the course of the two week festival. International and local artists alike will be celebrated across the city’s numerous cultural venues, including the Bluecoat, the Open Eye Gallery, and the Walker Art Gallery. Wanting to speak to someone involved in the festival, I interviewed an artist whose exhibited work lies at the heart of the three areas of interest combined. Based in California, Jona Frank travelled to Wirral (a Merseyside borough separated from Liverpool by the Mersey) in 2012 to create The Modern Kids, in which she explores a particularly British expression of masculinity and adolescence through the Wirral Community Police Boxing Club.
focuses on these very specific groups of people, but this is the first project that you’ve conducted outside of the US, correct? What was it that brought your attention to the UK, and particularly to the Northwest’s boxing youth? Jona Frank: The first project I did outside the US was in Ireland on a group of Travellers. The work is much more documentary -- small, handheld cameras and black and white. This was done in the mid-90s. Prior to visiting the UK in the 1990s, I drove all over the US as much as I could and photographed. It wasn’t organized. It was just me looking and photographing and driving around with my best friend. On one of these road trips I met two lads from Ellesmere Port at a youth hostel in New Orleans. I stayed in touch with one of them, Steve, for over 20 years. We wrote, occasionally saw each other, lost touch, then got back in touch and then towards the end of 2010 my husband was in London working on Pirates of the Caribbean and when I went to visit my husband, I contacted Steve and took the train to Chester. We were talking about my work and my interest in adolescents and he brought me to the boxing gym -- Wirral Community. I was immediately gripped by the gym and after I left I could not stop thinking about making photos there. I returned in 2012 and started photographing and then I finished the series last June, 2014. The upcoming book, The Modern Kids, comes out in the Fall and is just about the boxers, but in the larger series there are also skate kids from Rampworx and students from Whitby High School. CP: Did you experience any sort of apprehensions about travelling to England to meet these kids? I love to travel, so it was a thrill and a privilege to be brought into these various communities. It is truly
my favourite aspect of being a photographer. I had kids tell me I was the first American they had ever met, so we were opening up each other’s worlds and that is always amazing. The boxers are the kindest, sweetest, funniest boys I have ever met and -- the toughest, so I have never felt safer on a project! CP: How were you received by the community, as both an outsider and a female artist? I was given incredible access, but a large part of that was because Steve grew up there and lives there and I guess you could say he vouched for me, so I felt less like an outsider and very welcome. Also, my goal is never to expose something, but to make simple, straightforward portraits of people in their everyday environments. I don’t try to uncover something. I have no interest in revealing. My work is much more about studying and discovering. Coming from the US made people curious about me and made them want to participate. I think the idea that I would travel from Los Angeles to photograph in Ellesmere Port made people see I was serious about doing good work. And, yes, I do think being female makes a difference. I don’t think about this much when I am observing or making photos, but in many ways my gender greatly affects my work and my point of view. It is a distinct advantage. I am not a threat. I don’t approach my work “as a woman,” but my background and my life all play a role. CP: This isn’t the first time that you’ve turned your camera on male youth. Do you feel like you’re particularly drawn to masculinity or male identity? I grew up as a sort of witness to American boyhood. I was the youngest of four with three older brothers. For a majority of my childhood I was told to “sit and watch.” I didn’t realize when I
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was a kid how much sitting and watching would affect me as an adult. My brothers were three distinct types: one was a jock, one was a gay punk and one was super studious, so I had three very different versions of masculinity presented to me. Much of my work looks at ideas of presentation and how people ornament themselves and how in these displays of appearance there is communication. I liked that the boxers are stripped of ornamentation and what they are left to communicate their intent is their bodies. Their stories are told with skin, tattoos, muscles, attitude, faces, sweat. It was amazing to watch them fight -- to present themselves as so tough in the ring and then to fall in tears when it was over. It’s like no other sport I have ever witnessed. All sorts of people give the boxer advice, but then they get in the ring and it’s one-on-one. There is an incredible intensity to it! CP: Similarly, all of your work deals with adolescence. Can you pin down what attracts you about it? What I am drawn to are states of becoming. I am particularly interested in the period of adolescence when people are on the cusp of adulthood - when they are experimenting with their identity and struggling with that period between exploring and discovering. This is rich subject matter - at once fresh and new for each generation, yet it’s repetitive and cyclical for each generation, too. Each generation has their own set of challenges, but the need to break away and discover oneself is universal. I have been pursuing these ideas for 20 years now. That’s amazing to me. While I have photographed other subjects and explored other ideas, I am still captivated and full of ideas about adolescents. In one way or another, every series is about me exploring my own life and connections. In my early 20s - when I was in that period of
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exploring and discovering, I met a young man from northern England and it lead to this series. CP: Regarding the festival itself, the Modern Kids will be on display at FACT but also on billboards in the city centre. Do you think that there might be any benefit or conversation opening up for this particular boxing club, who are based just across the Mersey, from being displayed on the streets of Liverpool, or is that difficult to call? I hope there is a benefit because the Club is under threat of closure and I hope the images will encourage dialogue and make people think about the benefits of supporting the club. The club is about so much more than boxing. It’s truly community and family and encourages camaraderie with these youth. It gives them a place to go after school where they can hang out with their friends and do something healthy. It will be terribly sad if that is taken away. I am thrilled with the idea of images hanging around the city centre. I love that it’s not about celebrity or a product advertisement, but a celebration of the people who live and interact in the city everyday! CP: And finally, is there any part of the festival that you’re particularly looking forward to? I am excited to see all the boxers and share the work with them and really looking forward to seeing the images hanging In the city! – Jona Frank’s The Modern Kids will be on display at FACT, as well as in the public realm on Lime Street, from the 15th - 31st May. She’ll be exhibiting alongside artists such as Xavier Ribas and Ignacio Acosta, Ian Wiblin and Anthea Kennedy, Sheila Rock, and others.
TEAM ABSTRACT IS BACK, BUT IT IS LOOKING A LITTLE DIFFERENT LATELY; LESS PAPER, MORE PIXELS!
After 7 issues of our hard-copy magazine being distributed city-wide, the Carlisle Abstract team decided to take their success online. Although we had a pretty prominent push into a digital format due to a loss of funding, we decided to make the best of a bad situation, and now our favourite old articles have been republished for people to enjoy once again, and our new content will be coming out even faster than ever. We have joined up with Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, and with successful funding applications to the City and County Council, we are now able to spread the word across Cumbria about Arts and Cultural events in our county. Specifically shedding light on exhibitions and opportunities which we think might interest young people. Our website features ‘all-sorts’ for ‘all-sorts’ ranging from reviews, photography, poetry, artwork and illustrations! We feel it is a great platform through which young people can share with others, and feel part of an online community – which is particularly important in such a rural and often isolated county. Having said this – we are also excited to be reaching an even larger audience beyond the Cumbrian fells and the Solway Coast, and look forward to developing links with other online magazines and museum youth groups through this world-wide-web format. We would love to know what our counterparts in other parts of the country are up to, and would welcome articles submitted from Lands End, to
John O’Groats! The more the merrier, and the more varied the debate, the better! GOING ONLINE HAS MEANT THAT IT IS EVEN EASIER FOR OUR READERS TO GET INVOLVED NOW TOO. We have a ‘Contact Us’ page which makes it simple to drop us a quick email, either expressing interest in joining the editorial team, to ask a question about what we do, or send in an article, poem, or anything you would like to see published on the site. Readers can also leave comments on existing articles to give support to our contributors. The Abstract Team is composed of writers, photographers, creative directors, secretaries, finance managers, reviewers, editors, artists, and just about every role you can think of! People join for a variety of reasons – to practice their writing skills, to bulk up their personal statement, to meet new people, or even to gain skills in management, editing or finance. There’s quite simply a place for everyone.
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ARTIST ROOMS: ANSLEM KIEFER @TULLIE HOUSE 7TH FEBRUARY–7TH JUNE ‘15 THIS IS THE LATEST EXHIBITION TO HIT CARLISLE, AND IT HAS DONE SO WITH A BANG! TULLIE HOUSE IS HOSTING THIS INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTIST’S WORK UNTIL THE 7TH OF JUNE, AND IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH A LOOK! IT IS FREE OF CHARGE TO PEOPLE 25 AND UNDER, SO THERE’S NO EXCUSE NOT TO GO ALONG TO SEE IT! (FOLLOWED BY A HOT CHOCOLATE IN THE CAFE, AND A LOOK AROUND THE SHOP TOO OF COURSE!)
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We were firstly overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of some of the pieces on display. In size alone they make a statement. The artwork certainly makes an impression, but doesn’t necessarily tell a story. However, as you walk around the gallery and read the context of the work, and begin to discover some of the meaning behind it, that’s when it becomes more challenging, thought-provoking,
When we visited we found that there were many questions we had, and a lot of things we wanted to know more about, such as the artist’s motivation and the meaning behind some of the artwork, particularly his self portraits. On that note, here’s where you come in to help make this possible for future visitors...
The group would get to produce interpretation for the exhibition, develop tours for the public, and produce creative responses to Kiefer’s work. For added inspiration, some of the young people will get to go on an all expenses paid trip to London, visiting art venues like the Tate Modern and meeting some of the experts involved in ARTIST ROOMS.
and in places controversial.
Sign up to ANSELM KIEFER: YOUNG PEOPLE’S PROGRAMME. We wanted to tell you about this great opportunity for young people in the city to get involved with this contemporary art exhibition through an exciting new project for anyone aged 16-25.
The programme will run into May, when the group will get involved in the Tullie House Museums at Night event, and it’s also a great opportunity to achieve a Bronze Arts Award too - a nationally recognised accredited qualification.
From February 2015 Tullie House will be holding taster sessions and workshops exploring Kiefer’s work, in particular focussing on the key themes of Environment and Symbolism, and Identity and Memory. The project is an opportunity for a group of young people to learn new skills, develop existing ones, and explore the exhibition through different art forms - from photography and painting, to creative writing, dance, drama or music.
In brief, Tullie House are looking for any young people interested in contemporary art or the creative industries, who want to develop their skills, have something unique to put on their CV, meet like minded people in the city, or are simply keen to get involved in this exciting opportunity – and don’t worry if you don’t consider yourself an artist, to take part in the programme all you need is enthusiasm! Why not contact Catherine.mossluffrum@tulliehouse.org to find out more!
Anselm Kiefer was born in Germany as the Nazis fell, and his artwork seems to be addressing this ‘burden of history’ by challenging some of the Nazi symbolism head-on. The references to the artist’s homeland’s past are provocative, and became a real talking point for us as we toured around the gallery. One of the key themes is ‘identity’ and how the place in which we grew up can shape the people we become. Kiefer uses many different materials in his work, and many of the paintings have been layered so much that you can’t see what the original painting was meant to be. This intrigued us, as we wondered what the first painting looked like, and why he felt the need to cover it up.
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HAROLD OFFEH HAROLD OFFEH WORKS WITHIN A WIDE RANGE OF MEDIA OUTLETS, PREDOMINANTLY QUESTIONING NOTIONS OF REPRESENTATION AND IDENTITY BY DRAWING ON FAMILIAR CULTURAL REFERENCES SUGGESTED IN FILMS, SONGS, AND ART.
He carries similar perspective throughout all of his work, ranging from live performances, videos, photography and interactive and digital media, employing humour as a way of confronting the viewer and providing them with an assessment of contemporary popular culture. On Saturday 22nd, I had the opportunity to take part in one of three workshops at the Harris Museum in Preston, thanks to Blaze, to collaborate and work with Haroldamongst others - to produce a piece of work based around the life of Will Onda, which will be exhibited at the museum in February 2015. I SAW THIS AS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE BY WORKING WITH
of emotional expression. These were called ‘One Minute Sculptures’. This was to be the basis from which the work we will later go on to produce will stem from. Will Onda was the stage name and also the preferred name of a gentleman named Hugh Rain, who was born in Preston in 1869. In 1912 he set up the Preston Film & Exchange Company offering a wide range of services but predominantly in making, importing, renting and distributing films to northern cinemas. His greatest legacy is his collection of local topical films, which he left to Preston on his death in 1949, and which are now held by the BFI National Archive in London and the North West Film Archive in Manchester.
A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST, BUT TO ALSO NETWORK WITH BOTH HAROLD HIMSELF AND OTHER ASPIRING ARTISTS.
As a group we very quickly began the process of performing physical exercises. In this, we had to form a posture utilising the space around us to create a human statue, connoting some mode
Before his success in the film industry, Will Onda had trained to become a professional acrobat and began touring Britain with another acrobat known as Dick Onda, collaborating as the Brothers Onda. One of their most popular shows was the nautical comedy On Deck.
Harold asked us to think about how we could reinvent scenes taken from an advertisement poster using live performances and so in groups, we were delegated a scene to interpret and ultimately perform. Overall I’m really grateful I had the opportunity to take part in this workshop, as for me it was a very unusual way of working, and not really something I thought I’d ever do. It was also brilliant to be introduced to the history of Will Onda, a man who before this workshop I never even knew existed. For the meantime, we have been asked to think of other ways in which we can bring these scenes to life utilising different types of performance, so I’m looking forward to collating those ideas with the rest of the group when we meet again in December. I later went on to create some work of my own, inspired by Harold’s personal work and by some of the exercises we performed throughout the workshop, representing the idea of demonstrating emotion through physical performance. –Joe Clark
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GYPSY CARROT GYPSY CARROT IS A NEWLY ESTABLISHED EVENTS COMPANY AND THE BRAINCHILD OF EMILY LORD (22) AND SAM FITTOCK (21), TWO PEOPLE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT ART, MUSIC AND BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
Their aim is to create immersive, themed events which involve everyone attending, which began recently with their first solo event, held in an empty church in the heart of Blackburn, titled Pilgrimage. The event had a Garden of Eden/Babylon theme, and the decoration inside was outstanding, with a real Indoor Festival vibe. Pilgrimage included two music rooms, a range of DJ’s, food vendors, live art demonstrations, stalls and alternative performances. I went along on the night and had an incredible experience, then caught up with Emily and Sam a few days later to interview them, get an insight into what it’s like to run an events company and to see how they are finding the ride.
INTERVIEW BY SOPHIE SKELLERN ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT OF DERREN LEE POOLE
SOPHIE SKELLERN: HEY GUYS, THANKS FOR LETTING ME CHAT TO YOU SO SOON AFTER YOUR LAST EVENT. I BET YOU’RE STILL RECOVERING! CAN YOU START OFF BY TELLING ME WHERE THE NAME ‘GYPSY CARROT’ CAME FROM AND WHY
DID YOU DECIDE TO SET UP YOUR OWN EVENTS COMPANY? Gypsy Carrot: We’ll let you make your own mind up about the name! It surprisingly took us weeks to decide on, but the essence of Gypsy Carrot is ‘the traveller’, and we want to let Gypsy Carrot take you on a journey through the magic! We’re both musicians and have been attending local music festivals for years. The way festivals bring people together and create an environment that allows multiple perspectives to connect and grow together really made us want to get involved. Our main goal is to create an environment where everyone can truly relax, meet new people and have a good time. We eventually want to hold our own outdoor festivals.
SS: PILGRIMAGE WAS THE NAME OF YOUR FIRST SOLO EVENT, AND TOOK PLACE A FEW DAYS AGO. HOW DID THAT GO FOR YOU? Since Gypsy Carrot formed in August 2014 we’ve been involved in several large-scale
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events as collaborators. Each of these has been a huge learning curve in itself, building up to now! Pilgrimage is a concept that we’ve been working on since we formed; it is the essence of what Gypsy Carrot wants to achieve. Chapter 1: The Garden of Eden created a serious buzz for what the future may hold. We are extremely happy and overwhelmed by how much support and great feedback we received. SS: A HUGE PART OF YOUR EVENTS IS CREATING THE ATMOSPHERE AND DECORATION OF THE SPACE. YOU LITERALLY TRANSFORMED THAT BUILDING FROM AN EMPTY CHURCH INTO A GARDEN OF EDEN! TELL ME ABOUT SOME OF THESE DECISIONS… GC: We aim to create a story for each unique event, combining an assortment of props, lighting and projection mapping to create an environment that allows each person to feel fully involved in the event. Although there may be an underlying message through the theme and story of the event for you to work out, we aim to achieve a fantasy like environment that creates a playground for the senses. Our main journey is having an idea, and then working out how to bring it to life! SS: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT EVENT? OR IS THAT A BIG SECRET? GC: Plans for the next event are in motion and Chapter 2 shall be released very soon… Blackburn, watch this space! SS: WHAT’S YOUR ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO GET INTO THE ART WORLD? GC: Be positive and passionate, stay true to your idea whilst taking every opportunity with both hands and most of all believe in yourself. SS: HOW CAN PEOPLE GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU IF THEY WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? GC: We’re on Facebook and Twitter or give us an email at info@ gypsycarrotproductions.com. We aim to get as many people involved as possible, so no matter what you think you can contribute to the colourful pot, please get in touch!
IN 2013, EDWARD SNOWDEN LEAKED CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS DETAILING THE BOTH WIDESPREAD AND CONTROVERSIAL SURVEILLANCE OF AMERICAN CITIZENS BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY.
This resulted in an international debate; a warrant for his arrest; his fleeing of the country; and perhaps most entertainingly, the showing of LIGHT at King George’s Hall in Blackburn, on the 16th of February. Written and directed by George Mann, Theatre Ad Infinitum’s LIGHT sold out at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival before embarking on a nationwide tour, calling in Blackburn thanks to Itspluggedin, a team that works with groups around Pennine Lancashire to bring their “handpicked” shows to the local area. Citing Snowden’s’ revelations as an influence, it comes as no surprise that the story - whilst currently outside the range of technological possibilities - is uncomfortably relevant. With the stage immersed in complete darkness, LIGHT is set in a not-so-distant dystopian future, where citizens
are subject to the constant surveillance of a thoughthacking communications system, made possible by implants in the brain. The story follows Agent Dearden, the son of a political leader, as he attempts to track down those who illegally disconnect from the system by having their implants removed.
by handheld torches, light bars, and magic thumb tips; and the whole act is wrapped up in an intense soundtrack, to which each movement and flash of light is flawlessly choreographed. I make no exaggerations in saying that it was an aural and visual experience of the highest calibre.
The key to LIGHT’s success, however, was not in its plotline. Whilst certainly gripping, it felt pushed aside to completely make room for the show’s outstanding technical execution. The entire act is skilfully mimed - spoken word being unnecessary for a society that can communicate by thought, emphasising how absolutely no detail was spared - and what does need to be communicated to the audience is displayed in text on an overhead LED board. Stage illumination and special effects are controlled entirely
Although LIGHT has now been and gone, it’s clear that both Itspluggedin and the local community have an eye for innovative and progressive shows. This summer, they’re bringing another criticallyacclaimed performance from Edinburgh to Colne. Duncan Macmillan’s Every Beautiful Thing will be playing at the Muni on June 11. With highly positive reviews from the Guardian, Telegraph and Independent, and considering Itspluggedin’s great track record so far, it certainly won’t be one to miss. –Cameron Procter
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ART: ADDS IS A TWO-YEAR ARTS COUNCIL FUNDED PROJECT THAT WILL BRING DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS, ARTS ORGANISATIONS AND ART PROFESSIONALS IN THE REGION; BUILD AUDIENCES; AND INCREASE CONNECTIVITY ACROSS THE NORTH WEST VISUAL ARTS SECTOR. THE PROJECT INCLUDES 3 EXHIBITIONS OF NORTH WEST (NW) BASED ARTISTS ACROSS THE REGION, AND THE 3 VENUES ARE: GRUNDY ART GALLERY, BLACKPOOL, THE ATKINSON, SOUTHPORT, BURY ART MUSEUM & SCULPTURE CENTRE I CAUGHT UP WITH LYNDA MORRIS, GUEST CURATOR FOR THE EXHIBITIONS, TO TALK TO HER ABOUT HER BACKGROUND, HOW SHE CAME TO WORK ON THE PROJECT, HER INSPIRATION SO FAR, AND TO SEE WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE ART: ADDS PROJECT. – SOPHIE SKELLERN
HERE ARE HER WORDS: I received an email in January (2015) from CVAM (Contemporary Visual Arts Manchester) co-chair Lindsay Ann Taylor, inviting me to work as guest curator for three
was a political exhibition about Picasso’s involvement with the Peace Movement between 1945 and his death in 1973, based on papers in Picasso’s archives at the Museé Picasso in Paris. Picasso’s papers taught
It was these two experiences in my background that encouraged me to accept the CVAM invitation. I started by making a list of the artists I had worked with from the North West. Some of the artists had
There was a stage with the EAST exhibitions where artists in London no longer had studios and I was meeting them in a café to look at images of their work on laptops, but there still are big warehouse artist’s
about the memories the Picasso exhibition was evoking for them. Grandparents were proud that they were living custodians of memories of the times they had lived through: World War Two, Hiroshima, the USSR and
the British Heart Foundation in Blackpool was a framed image of the Daily Express special supplement celebrating the First Man on the Moon 20 July 1969. I asked if they had any more and out came a box of Daily Express
exhibitions to be held at the Grundy, Blackpool in late April; the Atkinson, Southport in August; and Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre in September this year. They were then recruiting a Freelance Assistant Curator to assist with the project, which led to me working with Sophia Crilly, as well as the curatorial staff at the three museums. I curated the Picasso Peace and Freedom exhibition in 2010 at Tate Liverpool and it toured to the Albertina in Vienna and the Louisiana in Denmark. It
me so much about the history of the period 1945-1973- the years of the Cold War that are so important to what is taking place today. My interest started with the research I made in 1980, for a Guardian article on Picasso’s visit to England in 1950 for the Sheffield Peace Congress. I had also found out that Guernica had been shown in a Manchester Car Showroom in 1938/9 before it went onto the USA. These geographic links were the positive reason for the Picasso exhibition to take place in Liverpool rather than London.
stayed in contact, and I emailed them for information about younger artists in the region.
studios in the NW. There are very few dealer galleries and that is where I am very conscious of this CVAM project as an important opportunity for artists. What the NW is rich in is Universities and their art departments. But it was not just the artists I started to think about- the audiences for contemporary art are very important. The experience of curating the Picasso exhibition in Liverpool meant I had spent time watching three generations of families, deep in conversation
the Cuba Missile Crisis, the Miner’s Strike, the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9.11 and the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria… I proposed the idea of three exhibitions taking place under the title of ‘Modern History’. Sophia Crilly and Richard Parry suggested that the three different manifestations went under the titles Volume I, Volume II and Volume III. On my first visit to Blackpool for this project I wandered off to go to a few charity shops. I teach that charity shops are “Modern Museums”. There on the wall of
papers including the Kennedy Assassination and the actual Day of the Moon Landing. They were all complete newspapers, in perfect condition, addressed for the paperboy to deliver to the same house. We would love to find out who this anonymous Blackpool historian was, and acknowledge the newspapers as “Collection of …” in the exhibition.
I FEEL I SHARE WITH THE ARTISTS IN THE NORTH WEST BEING “SAVED” BY FINDING A WAY TO SURVIVE OUTSIDE THE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL PRESSURES THAT DOMINATE CONTEMPORARY ART IN LONDON.
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Over the last few days Cameron Procter and I have spent time in Sunderland - a lovely, quirky, albeit very odd little town near Newcastle which will be home to the first stage of a touring exhibition by the Caravan Gallery, titled extra{ordinary}.
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The Caravan Gallery is collaboration between photographers Jan Williams and Chris Teasdale and is quite literally based out of a tiny mustard caravan. They photograph “the realism and surrealism in everyday life”, and have an outstanding collection of images, some quite dark, some very humorous, depicting everyday “British” life, and the abnormality of the things that we all find quite normal indeed.
for a month and becomes an open hub made entirely by the public. The shop takes real shape over the course of the month as a variety of people, societies, and groups use it to socialise, exhibit, perform, network, and collaborate with each other. Each Pride of Place project is completely different and a real insight into each town, as well as the locals both contributing and otherwise. Previous examples of such projects have included photography open competitions,
meet some of the other coordinators and catch up with Jan and Chris.
Extra{ordinary} launched last night (6th March) in Sunderland’s Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art. It is there until May, when it’s then being taken to Bradford, Cardiff, Preston, Middlesbrough and finally to Southampton in October 2016. Alongside the exhibition, in each town/city, there will also be a Pride of Place project where an empty shop gets taken over
exhibitions of artwork, gigs, knitting groups, impromptu show and tells and many more weird and wonderful happenings.
thecaravangallery.photography/ If you have any ideas or thoughts on what can take place in the Preston Pride of Place project, then please get in touch with myself or Cameron at sophieskellern@hotmail.com or camprocter@ gmail.com respectively and we can have a chat! Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK
Cameron and I have been brought on board to coordinate the Preston Pride of Place shop throughout April 2016, and so we were invited to the big launch for a chance to see the artwork,
We met some great people and are really looking forward to being involved with the project and are especially excited to open the Pride of Place shop in Preston next year. If you are interested in the Caravan Gallery, check them out at:
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SYNCHRONISING IN PRESTON What’s art for? Many would say the pushing of boundaries, and the bringing together of minds and bodies. It’s so we can share ideas, create, explore, and most importantly it’s so we can question. Question what? Anything and everything. Recently I’ve been going to a little place in Preston, a space to magnetise these qualities. It’s called The Beautiful Planet. The name was enough to capture me. And how do we live in a beautiful planet? “With eyes and hearts and questions and quests to find and explore and search and breathe and be and see and be still surrounded by synchronistical beings and musical vibrations”. Every week on a Sunday at 5:15pm is Hemp Redemption, organised by Katie Ryan, Alexander O’Hara and Sean Zaniboni, who are humble, peaceful, harmonious, vibrant musicians who are a part of the band Mobius Loop. One week I remember they had a film night in the basement, with documentaries exploring the history of the Hemp seed. It’s a great environment to find a place for interesting things to happen, and often for free, too! The people who work there are all volunteers, the place operates on a non-profit policy and has recently been renovated into a sanctuary, where everyone is welcome. You are inside, and the music spreads outside onto the street. It’s infectious. One time I remember sitting in the garden with everyone- even non-musicians- playing something, anything! A huge drum was being played on the concrete, vibrating under our feet, and I swear it must have shaken through the whole city of Preston. My attendance at Hemp Redemption led to me being involved in an exhibition on National Woman’s day, curated by Katie Ryan and Alexander O’Hara.
“OUR AIM FOR THE PERFORMANCE WAS TO REMOVE THE SEXUALISATION AND OBJECTIFICATION OF THE FEMALE NAKED BODY THROUGH HUMAN CONTACT AND CONNECTION.” DANIELLE KYLE.
“THE BODY ASKS THE AUDIENCE NOT TO SEXUALISE OR OBJECTIFY, AND INSTEAD, CONNECT WITH HUMAN CONTACT – A HUG.” CLAIRE DOYLE.
And yes quite literally the bodies spoke to us (through permanent marker) and told us we were invited to hug them. Thank you everyone, but especially to Elliot Bennett for capturing this image, this moment, this feeling. “The body asks the audience not to sexualise or objectify, and instead, connect with human contact – a hug.” Claire Doyle. And yes quite literally the bodies spoke to us (through permanent marker) and told us we were invited to hug them. Thank you everyone, but especially to Elliot Bennett for capturing this image, this moment, this feeling.
Find out more www.facebook.com/clairedoyledesign www.facebook.com/pages/Elliot-Bennett-Photography www.facebook.com/hempredemption www.facebook.com/pages/Conscious-cat-studios-Danielle-Kyle
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JOIN THE TEAM Culture on a Shoestring is always looking for new people to join our team. Whether you are a budding writer, photographer, illustrator or just have a burning issue or a story to tell, we want to hear from you! Send us your ideas for submissions to the next issue or let us know that you’re interested in being a part of our magazine by emailing the team at admin@blazeonline.org.uk and we’ll be in touch!
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE CARAVAN GALLERY