And so we’ve had the @firstsite Sorry I’m Late gag that keeps on giving – how about one more time with a slightly late (ish) blog post looking ahead to all the art at the fourth season at firstsite?
Sorry we’re late, etc.
All this art appreciation takes up time when we could be tap, tap, tapping away on The Chronic keyboard. Which let us not forget is an art in itself. Especially so after half a shandy.
No surprises to see that Sorry I’m Late and Anthea Hamilton – the artist behind the current exhibition – anchor down events at the Golden Goose between now and November. This approach has worked well aver the past three seasons. The high profile artist sets the agenda, and then the periphery events explore the themes around the edges.
Or even sloping walls.
But before you can explore you need a map; some may say even a moral compass to guide you around the scatter cushions decorated with the female form and flowers being shoved up backsides.
Which should make the Artist Talk on 29th September interesting. Anthea Hamilton will deliver the keynote talk, looking at some of the ideas within Sorry I’m Late.
A 1pm PROMPT start, please.
Like we said, the Golden Goose gag that keeps on giving, Comrades.
Senior Curator Michelle Cotton will offer an experts view of the exhibition on 3rd November. You can also gain much insight from the ever-charming gallery staff and their informal tours of the gallery space every Wednesday and Friday between 1pm and 2pm.
*timekeeping joke* etc.
Not so strict with the time and tide will be the always ACE firstsite Late, taking place on 2nd November for the fourth season. These are a much more social approach to art. Alcohol is usually involved.
The idea is to look around the galleries under a bruising skies backdrop, but more importantly to enjoy many of the themed activities based around the exhibition.
Bagsy the scatter cushion with the real life nude model.
Surrealist games, fire and sparks in the D garden and even the chance to formulate a ‘firstsite Moyen age cocktail to the sound of medieval music’ is offered.
Which has to be better than staying back at base with a can of Special Brew and TOTP2.
Chin chin.
Away from the Sorry I’m Late surrealism and firstsite celebrates the life and work of Suffolk based artist Humphrey Jennings in Gallery 4. This is the first exhibition dedicated to Jennings in over thirty years. An accompanying film season is in place, looking at Portraits of an Industrious Nation on 4th November.
Elsewhere around the gallery space and the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America continues to be exhibited. This is a valued relationship between firstsite and the University of Essex. Put simply it allows firstsite to fill a space that the University hasn’t got. It’s well worth a look.
Back in the main auditorium and it seems that every night is film night at firstsite between now and November. An incredibly impressive schedule has been published, leading you to the conclusion that firstsite is doubling up as a much needed art house cinema for Sunny Colch.
But don’t get too bogged down in bête noire bloody foreign language films. We certainly won’t when we attend Sing-a-long-a-Grease on 30th September.
She was good. Y’know what I mean…
Just like Jeremy Deller who will be taking part in a film presentation on 21st October. Appearing alongside filmmaker Nick Abrahams, the pair will be introducing The Bruce Lacey Experience.
The ACE Archive films continue at firstsite with the East Anglian Film Archive. Plus credit to the Golden Goose for engaging the hyperlocal artistic community and inviting the lovely Film Colchester into the building over the weekend of 5th – 7th October for the Colchester Film Festival.
A similar Sunny Colch commitment is in place with many of the community initiatives appearing in the fourth season. The Street project continues at The Greenstead, even stretching out towards Old Heath this autumn.
Here at The Chronic and we simply LOVE the firstsite tie in with Colchester United Football Club as part of the Big Draw national initiative. Details are still being finalised, but it should mean a new approach to art and the U’s on matchdays.
Can you tell what it is yet?
Um, Clinton Morrison?
The usual Children and Families schedule is in place, as is the relationship with Picturehouse Cinemas to screen live art from some of the major concert halls around the world.
But you can’t escape Britain’s Oldest Recorded and the firstsite remit to support art in the hyperlocal community. Fine work in supporting Colchester and Tendring Open Studios throughout September. A minibus will be made available to take art lovers out around the regions.
Um, don’t be late.
Sorry…
