And so we’ve had the fifth season @firstsite Private View [Oooh] – what can we expect at the Golden Goose between now and 24th February when the Hammer Print season comes to a close?
Films, figurines and um, philosophy.
The Chronic LOVES the themed events around the periphery of the main exhibitions – probably more so than the grand artistic statements being made in the gallery space itself. It is here that the firstsite staff get to be a little playful, putting on a schedule to compliment the current big hitter.
And for Hammer Prints this means plenty of practical, hands on dirty artwork – the way it should be.
You can’t touch this, etc.
Nope – YOU REALLY CAN’T touch this, Comrades…
Bringing an academic approach to Henderson and Paolozzi will be Ben Highmore, Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex. Ben will be at the Golden Goose on 26th January to add a little context to the current collection.
Patterns of Association will be the theme of Victoria Walsh’s talk on 2nd February. Robin Spencer, the biographer of Paolozzi, will address ‘prints and creatives doubles‘ when he comes to Sunny Colch on 9th February.
But you needn’t wait for the showcase sessions to have a little more insight into Hammer Prints. Senior Curator Michelle Cotton will be leading an Exhibition Tour on 26th January. The lovely, lovely Gallery Staff demonstrate their knowledge every Wednesday and Friday from 1pm.
Meanwhile we LOVE the idea behind the Alternative Tours:
“Look out for these free opportunities to catch an Alternative Tour of firstsite. This might be with a member of the public, of the members of our young people’s group or even an Associate Artist.”
It may even be from a bored blogger who doesn’t understand his art from his arse.
But hey!
Hammer Time…
Which also just happens to be the name of the firstsite Late for the fifth season, taking place on 1st February:
“Jazz music, the longest line of continuous wallpaper printing, making your own symbol badges, Len Lye animation films, and make your own clay pot.”
Not yer average night out in Britain’s Oldest Recorded.
It’s back to the high art [sorta] on 15th February when other / other / other – a Norwich-based collective [Oooh] will be making:
“Site specific live and durational artwork.”
Nope. Us Neither.
Funny folk those lot up in Norwich.
Keeping it hyperlocal is a talk on 24th January by the always engaging Andrew Phillips and James Bettey: The Building and the Figures:
“Opened in 1902, Colchester Town Hall is a leading example of one of the most characteristic building-types of the Victorian and Edwardian era. Its monumental facade accommodates a cast of figures who collectively symbolise the town’s spirit and history.”
Some figures *may* be covered in pigeon pooh, this is most definitely not a character slur on Sunny Colch.
Thomas Audley and Samuel Harsnett will be the subject matter for a similar talk on 21st February. Fine work it finding space for the hyperlocal at firstsite.
Away from the abstract (ish) art and firstsite is fast finding itself as having something of a reputation for showing fine films in Sunny Colch. With The Odeon offering the only other alternative in town, firstsite has by default become a brilliant source for something slightly left of centre.
The auditorium is ACE; the pricing is spot on.
Most films are FREE.
The Red Balloon, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life (hurrah!) make up the Christmas schedule. The East Anglian Film Archive collaboration also continues over the coming months.
A Sunday Silent Season starts in February with The Kid, The General and yep, The Artist all being screened. Saturday Family Films are also scheduled, as are Day-Dream screenings for parents and babies.
The relationship with Picturehouse continues, bringing high-class theatre and opera, LIVE to Sunny Colch, via the big screen.
Artists, adults and children’s activities are all in the latest schedule. All are themed around the printed world of Hammer Prints. Work continues out in the community at The Greenstead and Old Heath, as well as a great art project with Col U.
Oh – and the astute amongst the firstsite fifth season programme reading public will notice that there’s a hat tip to the future:
Richard Hughes, 9th March – 12th May, 2013.
But that’s another blog post waiting to happen.
Hammer Time!
