Posts tagged with "firstsite"
News from Nowhere @firstsite
Sunday 20 May – Monday 27 August 2012
firstsite have announced the details for the new exhibition opening in two weeks time: News from Nowhere. The show is about the relationship between science fiction and art.
Artists involved:
Lynda Benglis
Mary Ellen Bute
Lynn Chadwick
Lygia Clark
Richard Deacon
Naum Gabo
Isa Genzken
Roger Hiorns
John McCracken
László Moholy-Nagy
Nam June Paik
Eduardo Paolozzi
Xanti Schawinsky
Paul Thek
Mungo Thomson
Mark Titchner
Stan VanDerBeek
News from Nowhere features sculpture, drawing, print, photography and film from the early 20th century to the present day. It brings in newly commissioned work together with loans from national and international collections. The work aims to highlight the impact of developments in modern science and technology on the artistic imagination.
Titled after a futuristic novel by the artist and writer William Morris (1834 – 1896), the exhibition focuses on artists that have approached the gallery as a space for experimentation, speculation and fantasy.
Through a collection of utopian and dystopian images drawn from different generations and continents, the exhibition draws parallels with the literary and cinematic genre of science fiction. The show will explore its themes, allegories, and potential for expressing political dissent and radical thought.
Click through to our golden neighbours site to read more on the exhibition. We’ve heard on the grapevine there’s going to be a lot of great Sci-Fi films showcased alongside the show. Perfect.
Recommendations @firstsite
Here is our low down on our recommended events on at our shiny neighbours firstsite.
Artist Talk: Simon Periton
Saturday 5 May
2 – 3pm, auditorium
Read more & RSVP
Simon Periton created the translucent resin lampost in the D shaped lawn at firstsite. He’s recently installed lanterns into the trees and will be at firstsite on Saturday to give a tour of his commission Polaris.
Polaris is a lodestar used by moths as a naviagtion tool and is widely believed to be the reason they are attracted to light. Periton’s installation adds a gothic air to firstsite’s secluded garden and comes into its own once the sun has set.
Periton will talk about his research for this commission involving the nearby mulberry tree, silk worms and moths, and places this work within his broader practice, which has involved commissions for the V&A, the Home Office and Channel 4. A great chance to find out more about the commissions firstsite produce.
Archive Films: Materials and Making
Sunday 6 May
2.30 – 3.30pm (approx. end time), Auditorium
Read more & RSVP
Archive films are shown every Sunday at firstsite with various themes. This week - Materials and Making. The films are for all ages in collaboration with the East Anglian Film Archive.
Here is a quick summary of what will be shown: Flower Pots, filmed at a pottery works in Waltham Abbey; The Story of Coco Matting at EH Price’s Brett works in Hadleigh; Woad, about a spinner and weaver in Kelvedon; Sand and Gravel, Essex County Council film about concrete making; Lowland Village, interdependence between village and industry in Lavenham, Suffolk.
Have a chilled out afternoon absorbing some footage of local makers and their materials.
The concrete commission has landed
If you happen to walk past 15 Queen Street on the way to firstsite today. Stop and have a look at the new artwork now displayed on our outside wall.
We’ve acquired three concrete panels made by Joyce Pallot and Henry Collins. The work was originally made for Colchester’s BHS frontage in 1976. These panels were removed during redevelopment of the Lion Walk Shopping Centre in 2009. firstsite took this opportunity to restore the panels and locate a new home for them, here, at 15 Queen Street.
Pallot and Collins met at Colchester Art School in 1932. They began working together on public art commissions in 1948, and completed over 60 in the UK. Their pioneering partnership lasted over 62 years. The technical drawing skills of Collins, and Pallot’s rigorous research into each site and commission, combined to form a unique talent.
In their hometown of Colchester, examples of their work can still be seen in the underpasses along Southway, and the 1969 work made for the central Sainsbury’s store frontage. This was the first in a long series of murals for the firm, and led the way for commissions by other companies including BHS. The Sainsbury’s mural is unique in its creation through collaboration because the artists worked with two Colchester companies, architectural practice Stanley Bragg and building firm Huttons.
For each new commission the couple would extensively research into the history of each place, incorporating events and figures of local significance into their designs; a sun symbol was designed and used exclusively in all the murals for Sainsbury’s and a basket of produce for BHS.
Skillington Workshop were commissioned by firstsite to restore the panels now on display. We’d like to thank Simon Nadin and Paul Wooles for the sterling job! They took about a week, cleaning and performing minor repairs to the concrete. We heard them tapping and drilling away to fix the angle iron frames to the outer wall.
So grab an umbrella and come have a look!
If you are free on Thursday 3 May evening, 7 - 8.30pm, there is a talk at firstsite all about these artworks: ‘Concrete and Colchester’. Architectural historian Dr Lynn Pearson will discuss the work of Pallot and Collins, putting their practice into the wider context of postwar murals. Pearson will chart their extraordinary popularity which grew considerably after their commission for the 1951 Festival of Britain. £5; £3 concs. Booking essential on 01206 577 067 or email.
Recommendations @firstsite
Here’s a weekly tip of to the best events on at our golden friends across the way, firstsite.
Nacho Libre
Friday 20 April, 5.30 – 7pm
firstsite Auditorium
Read more
FREE but booking essential
Fans of Mexican Wrestling (Lucha Libre) needs to get down to firstsite this evening for a free showing of Jared Hess’s tribute to 1950s & 60s wrestler films, Nacho Libre.
The film is inspired by the true legends of Lucha Libre: El Santos and the Blue Demon. Mexican wrestlers cover their faces to hide their identity and battle it out in the ring as either Heels (bad guys) or Technicos (good guys). It’s the old fashioned tail of good vs evil. But who will win? Nacho Libre is also based on Fray Tormenta (“Friar Storm”) - a Mexican priest who became a wrestler to raise money for his parish. It’s a fantastic film that tips it’s hat to lots of Mexican cultural references.
Art Masterclass: Textiles
Wednesday 25 April, 1 – 5pm, Learning B
Read more
£25; materials included.
To all our textile and craft followers! firstsite are hosting an art master class led by local textile artist Gilly Burrell. Use reverse appliqué, cutting, fraying and embellishing fabric to reveal the layers underneath and create a textile artwork. You are welcome to bring along swatches of plain colour fabric which have special significance, but materials will also be provided.
The session will take inspiration for shape and design from the firstsite exhibitions Unravelling Threads and Culpable Earth.
Booking essential. Please call 01206 577 067 or email.
SoundCloud Colchester
Friday 27th April
7.30 - 9.30pm
Read more
This one is for all you musicians out there. firstsite host a spontaneous jamming session once a month. Rock up with your instrument and jam out! This month it is in the key of A minor. It’s a great way to meet other musicians, exchange tips and improvise together.
Recommendations @firstsite
Here is our weekly hit of recommended events on at our golden neighbours firstsite.
Airlock Films
Every Friday @ 5.30pm
Auditorium
FREE
Airlock Films are for the younger audience, but all viewers are welcome. They showcase a fantastic selection of indie and cult films. Best of all, it’s free! This week is Toy Story 3, and next week (20th April) is Nacho Libre. View the films section on their site for a full list.
La Traviata!
Saturday 14th April
Live Opera in the Auditorium from 6pm
Tickets £25
Concs. £21.50
firstsite Members £19.50
firstsite has partnered up with Picturehouse – the UK’s leading independent cinema operator – and will be bringing the best of live-streamed and pre-recorded performances of world-class opera and theatre directly to Colchester performance arts lovers.
There’s a rare opportunity to see two performances of La Traviata – the first a live streaming from the New York Metropolitan Opera and the second screened from a recording made at the Sydney Opera House – plus two more Sydney Opera House productions, together with each of the two cast versions of the National Theatre’s acclaimed stage play, Frankenstein.
All the screenings will take place in firstsite’s state-of-the-art auditorium with 190 generously tiered seats, full HD projection and giant six-metre screen. For all you opera lovers, it’s an event not to be missed.
Get on the site for more information.
To book call 01206 577067, or email.
Recommendations @firstsite
We would like to recommend two events on at our golden neighbours firstsite for the Easter holidays.
Artist Talk: Danh Vo
Thursday 5th April
7 - 8pm
Read more & book
The iconic artwork in firstsite’s entrance space - We the people by Danh Vo is part of a two-year undertaking to construct a one-to-one scale replica of the Statue of Liberty.
Danh Vo will be talking about the work for the first time ever here in the UK at firstsite tomorrow. He will be discussing his ambitious project and the other elements which have also been displayed at Kunsthalle Fridericianum in Kassel, Germany and FIAC art fair in Paris.
Good Friday Picnic
Friday 6th April
For families
1 – 3pm in firstsite’s D-shaped garden
Read more
Calling all families! Have a cracking (groan) Easter with firstsite this Friday. Bring a picnic lunch and hunt down the silver cyberbunnies in the D shapes lawn. There are chocolate rewards for children who find them all. You can also join in with egg decorating on the day. Egg-celent (we’ll stop now we promise).
Artists as parents
Artists As Parents As Artists - talk and participative activity
Saturday 31 March, Learning A
2 – 3.30pm
firstsite
Colchester, CO1 1JH
Townley and Bradby have an ongoing collaborative practice. They also have two children. Over the last nine months they have carried out a research project called Artists As Parents As Artists. This has been a way to reflect on how they work alongside their children, and on how they have balanced their art practice with parental commitments.
During this illustrated talk at firstsite, Townley and Bradby will show examples of their work. They will describe their research project and how it has led to a shift in their practice from urban interventions to work on a domestic scale. They will also show a number of short films, and with their children they will lead various playful activities in Learning A.
There will be tea, biscuits, play dough and small plastic animals.
Free, but booking essential.
Read more.
Recommendations @firstsite
Our recommendations for events, talks and creative what not on at firstsite this week.
Airlock Film: Nausicaa, Valley of the Wind
Friday 23rd March
5.30 - 7pm
Free, booking essential
Get along to firstsite this Friday for a screening of Studio Ghibli’s (the Japanese film house behind Spritied Away and Howls Moving Castle) beautifully animated film Nausicaa, Valley of the Wind.
Set on Earth in the far future, it follows the story of princess Nausicaä. After the ‘Seven Days of Fire’ humanity survive in small communities such as the Valley of Wind, situated near a toxic jungle. Nausicaä chooses to understand, rather than destroy this unknown land battling to bridge the battle of humans versus nature.
The film is free for all. Just call or drop in to book your ticket.
William Fever: On Constable
Saturday 24th March
£5; £3 concessions for 15 Queen Street members.
Free to members.
William Feaver, art critic for the Guardian and co-curator with Lucian Freud of the Constable exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris in 2002, will take you through the Constable paintings on display at firstsite, and respond to their juxtaposition with Carl Andre’s Equivalent VIII.
After the talk, firstsite Associate Artist Jevan Watkins Jones will be joined in conversation by William Feaver, to talk about his experience of being a biographer and long-term sitter for Frank Auerbach.
Jevan will make drawings of William as a point of reference for discussing the perception of the sitter and artist, and where they may meet.
Visitors are encouraged to pull up a chair, draw, and join in the conversation.
Art Masterclass: Cardboard Sculpture
Wednesday 28 March,
1 – 5pm,
Learning B
£25; materials included.
Get your cardboard on with an art masterclass led by artist Nicola Burrell. Experiment with folding, scoring, and shape-making to create artworks from cardboard. The session looks at how materials journey from raw matter to cultural artefact.
We’re offering two more Art Masterclasses: ceramics on Wednesday 29 February, and textile art on Wednesday 25 April. You can book for all three sessions for the discounted price of £65.
Booking essential on 01206 577 067 or info@firstsite.uk.net
