Michelle has been busy making
Michelle has been busy making a lovely hat & sash (amongst other things). I wouldn't dare call her a tit-head though! I've seen quite a few good displays made from yoko's 'merchandise' recently. --------
Liverpool Biennial 2004 Blog
Ian Jackson's Blog of the Liverpool Biennial Festival of Contemporary Art 2004
September 18th - November 28th 2004
Advertisements
« September 2004 | Main | November 2004 »
October 31, 2004
Michelle has been busy making a lovely hat & sash (amongst other things). I wouldn't dare call her a tit-head though! I've seen quite a few good displays made from yoko's 'merchandise' recently. --------
I don't get angry but
I don't get angry but I was a bit p'd off yesterday afternoon to find the Novas building closed. It was scheduled to be the final day but it seems the organisers decided to finish a day early without bothering to tell the public or even the artists!
My daughter and son-in-law had travelled up from London so I could show them round. We'd already walked to FACT, the Pier Head, the Tate and then along Jamaica St so we were tiring but looking forward to what I'd promised was the most interesting gallery. Shame. Not even a note on the door to explain. Can't imagine this happening at the Tate or Walker, shoddy treatment for the poor independent artists.
At least Jump Ship Rat and the Garage with the Dave White Cars exhibition were open so the journey wasn't entirely wasted.
--------
At least Jump Ship Rat and the Garage with the Dave White Cars exhibition were open so the journey wasn't entirely wasted.
--------
October 29, 2004
I couldn't face a trip
I couldn't face a trip to Madchester after all, I went to the Novas building (yet again) to watch some of the transVoyeur filmed interviews with the American artists who never actually exhibited here due to funding problems. Its the last day at Novas tomorrow (Sat. 30th) but Ben Youdan was there today taking down his pictures made from sequins, so if you haven't seen them its too late now.
I'll really miss them and all the other stuff here, the International strand is good but I found the Independents & New Contemporaries more interesting/exciting.
The 'Streets of Desire' exhibition at Jump Ship Rat runs for another week though, it finishes on Nov 8th.
--------
I'll really miss them and all the other stuff here, the International strand is good but I found the Independents & New Contemporaries more interesting/exciting.
The 'Streets of Desire' exhibition at Jump Ship Rat runs for another week though, it finishes on Nov 8th.
Hurrah for Mothman
Moth Man (artist Tony Knox) tells me that he won his wrestling match last Saturday despite impaired vision due to his mask slipping over his eyes. This was a return match against GPW wrestler Adam Fate who gave our hero such a beating in the video on show here.
--------
An American Stuckist's Perspective on
An American Stuckist's Perspective on the Liverpool Biennial
He seems to think St Luke's is the Catholic Cathedral. A common mistake. --------
He seems to think St Luke's is the Catholic Cathedral. A common mistake. --------
October 28, 2004
A few things finish this
A few things finish this Saturday, including 'Graduates 04' at Arena and the Independents stuff in the Novas building. TransVoyeur are showing the culmination of filmed performances and interviews for the rest of this week, details
I've been sat at home all day waiting for the parcel DHL promised to deliver today, still waiting! I may be a traitor tomorrow and visit the Manchester Art Show --------
I've been sat at home all day waiting for the parcel DHL promised to deliver today, still waiting! I may be a traitor tomorrow and visit the Manchester Art Show --------
October 27, 2004
I braved the windy weather
I braved the windy weather this afternoon to take a look at the art on display at Babycream in the Albert Dock. This is part of the BART strand which finishes on Saturday! Get round those bars quick before all the artwork disappears to be replaced by boring lager posters.
Here they have a couple of display cases containing Gillian Davis's 'Luxury Cocktail Accessories' - very nice, they'd make a good gift if you're into that sort of thing. There's also John Gerrard's 'Planar Portrait' in another display case, pictured here.
Of course, I had to try out the funky big red seats, now my back's complaining! --------
Here they have a couple of display cases containing Gillian Davis's 'Luxury Cocktail Accessories' - very nice, they'd make a good gift if you're into that sort of thing. There's also John Gerrard's 'Planar Portrait' in another display case, pictured here.
Of course, I had to try out the funky big red seats, now my back's complaining! --------
I called here yesterday afternoon.
I called here yesterday afternoon. The Museum MAN director, Adam Nankervis, actually lives here and the walls of his rooms, even the bathroom, are covered in artworks by artists from all over the world. Currently every centimetre of the kitchen walls and cupboard doors are covered with pages from medical books showing pictures of diseased parts of the human body. This is the work of Frank Shaepel and he was there to explain that if you can manage to ignore what they really are the images can look quite beautiful, the eyes can look like planets or universes.
There's also works in the basement which you enter through a very small doorway under the stairs, its all very gloomy and spooky. There's a bed of nails, peep-holes in the walls and an area where Jill Rock does performance art involving readings from favourite books and other stuff. I recommend it, there's a good mix of art and is worth visiting just for the quirky fun of it all.
Press the bell for Flat 1 at 30 Falkner St, Tues-Sun 2-7 pm. Phone 0789 1695577 afoundation Link --------
There's also works in the basement which you enter through a very small doorway under the stairs, its all very gloomy and spooky. There's a bed of nails, peep-holes in the walls and an area where Jill Rock does performance art involving readings from favourite books and other stuff. I recommend it, there's a good mix of art and is worth visiting just for the quirky fun of it all.
Press the bell for Flat 1 at 30 Falkner St, Tues-Sun 2-7 pm. Phone 0789 1695577 afoundation Link --------
October 26, 2004
Seen & Heard 2 at
Seen & Heard 2 at the Bluecoat this evening. I love dance but don't often get to see it for one reason or another. I really enjoyed this, there were more people there than the organisers were expecting so I didn't get a copy of the programme, I think they were mostly dance students from LIPA. We started in the courtyard with 3 girls dancing among the ice sculptures, it was lovely but lucky it wasn't raining.
Then up to the concert hall for lots more dancing to Abba and techno music and a dvd screening. Great stuff, and it finished in time for me to watch the second half of the football in the pub. --------
Then up to the concert hall for lots more dancing to Abba and techno music and a dvd screening. Great stuff, and it finished in time for me to watch the second half of the football in the pub. --------
I've been quiet for a
I've been quiet for a couple of days. I do have things to report but I'm going out again soon so they will have to wait.
Meanwhile, apologies for being off-topic but I'm really sad about the death of John Peel He was so much more than just a 'Radio 1 DJ'. Before the world of mp3, internet downloading etc. he was just about the only source of alternative music for old hippies like me. Don't think he was into fine art but the only times I saw him live was supporting and presenting gigs by Liverpool poets & musicians at places like the Everyman in the early 70s. How will the BBC ever replace him? --------
Meanwhile, apologies for being off-topic but I'm really sad about the death of John Peel He was so much more than just a 'Radio 1 DJ'. Before the world of mp3, internet downloading etc. he was just about the only source of alternative music for old hippies like me. Don't think he was into fine art but the only times I saw him live was supporting and presenting gigs by Liverpool poets & musicians at places like the Everyman in the early 70s. How will the BBC ever replace him? --------
October 25, 2004
--------
--------
October 24, 2004
There's lots of them around
There's lots of them around now but I'm not saying where. --------
I spent yesterday afternoon in
I spent yesterday afternoon in Jump Ship Rat gallery but whilst waiting for the wrestling to start I had another look in the Novas building and spotted the remains of Rebecca Backhouse's 'Trace' figures looking quite battered after being dragged round the streets.
This was the second live webcast from SPLICE but the live webstreaming wasn't working so the only way to see it was to be there. This featured the 'Graduates 04' artists and others including afoundation people discussing things like the support independent artists have had, the current art scene in Liverpool and what happens next. Perhaps they should have also debated the merits of holding a live debate in the same room as a live wrestling tournament! Maybe they did but it was drowned out by the sickening thuds of huge wrestlers being thrown onto the canvas.
This picture isn't actually MothMan, he buzzed around so fast my pictures are just a blur. The long-awaited event was quite a success, several GPW wrestlers put on a good show in front of a lively audience many of whom would not normally venture into an art gallery. I'm afraid I couldn't watch more than a few seconds at a time, my already nervous state was greatly increased when I noticed the huge ceiling beams were only a few centimetres above the fighters heads! But apparently not too much blood was spilled. I don't even know if MothMan won his bout or who his opponent was but I recorded a short mpeg vid of the start of the fight which you can download (its 6mb so might take a while) mothman.mpg --------
SPLICE Live II
This was the second live webcast from SPLICE but the live webstreaming wasn't working so the only way to see it was to be there. This featured the 'Graduates 04' artists and others including afoundation people discussing things like the support independent artists have had, the current art scene in Liverpool and what happens next. Perhaps they should have also debated the merits of holding a live debate in the same room as a live wrestling tournament! Maybe they did but it was drowned out by the sickening thuds of huge wrestlers being thrown onto the canvas.
Moth Man meets his Match
This picture isn't actually MothMan, he buzzed around so fast my pictures are just a blur. The long-awaited event was quite a success, several GPW wrestlers put on a good show in front of a lively audience many of whom would not normally venture into an art gallery. I'm afraid I couldn't watch more than a few seconds at a time, my already nervous state was greatly increased when I noticed the huge ceiling beams were only a few centimetres above the fighters heads! But apparently not too much blood was spilled. I don't even know if MothMan won his bout or who his opponent was but I recorded a short mpeg vid of the start of the fight which you can download (its 6mb so might take a while) mothman.mpg --------
October 23, 2004
Daisy Delaney's back in town
Daisy Delaney's back in town installing more windmills so let me know if you spot any, I want pictures of them.
And Dorrie Halliday's Angel balloons have brought a bit of pleasure to several people, see some of the responses here --------
And Dorrie Halliday's Angel balloons have brought a bit of pleasure to several people, see some of the responses here --------
1 Stop Wrestling News Free
1 Stop Wrestling News Free GPW Exhibition This Saturday Looks like the wrestling world is descending on Jump Ship Rat this afternoon.
--------
October 22, 2004
11 paragraphsBased at the Static
11 paragraphs
Based at the Static gallery is the official press corps of the Biennial and this is "A brief exploration of the Liverpool Biennial Press Release" --------
Based at the Static gallery is the official press corps of the Biennial and this is "A brief exploration of the Liverpool Biennial Press Release" --------
At the gallery above St
At the gallery above St Petersburg Russian restaurant in York St. I was here a couple of weeks ago for the exhibition by the Georgian artist Mikhail Makharadze now I'm back for this solo show 'Rhythms' by Nicole Bartos, originally from Romania. She's been very busy promoting eastern European art with the
Under Blue Sky exhibition at Blackburne House and the Art Seminar there next Thurs/Fri.
This picture is just a detail from a larger piece, you should be able to see its wet-on-wet work which requires the artist to work quite quickly and rhythmically and also suggests rhythms of light and water, hence the title of the exhibition. There are a few pieces in a similar style and others with much larger splashes of colour. Also some 3D works involving wood, nails and other mixed media.
Curator Kate Dadiani kept me amused with her efforts to get the hi-fi to play the right blend of eastern-euro music. Good old Tchaikovsky - very quiet, very loud, very quiet, very loud! (only kidding Kate) --------
This picture is just a detail from a larger piece, you should be able to see its wet-on-wet work which requires the artist to work quite quickly and rhythmically and also suggests rhythms of light and water, hence the title of the exhibition. There are a few pieces in a similar style and others with much larger splashes of colour. Also some 3D works involving wood, nails and other mixed media.
Curator Kate Dadiani kept me amused with her efforts to get the hi-fi to play the right blend of eastern-euro music. Good old Tchaikovsky - very quiet, very loud, very quiet, very loud! (only kidding Kate) --------
October 21, 2004
There's extra perfomances by the
There's extra perfomances by the transVoyeur group of artists in the Independents area tomorrow night and I suppose I'll have to go and watch the live wrestling on Saturday afternoon with Moth Man and GPW Wrestling at Jump Ship Rat.. Hope its not too violent! Details.
--------
October 20, 2004
Well, Hoody, to be more
Well, Hoody, to be more accurate. Thanks Emma! No more sneaking round galleries anonymously. I'll be going as 'bloggerman' --------
October 19, 2004
I've now blogged over 10,000
I've now blogged over 10,000 words in 94 posts over 5 weeks.
Just thought I'd mention that. --------
Just thought I'd mention that. --------
I've always liked Hemingways Coffee
I've always liked Hemingways Coffee House in Duke St. Opens at 8 am, reasonable menu, newspapers, magazines, board games and now they have sculptures by Faith Bebbington. They're all figures (couples even) made from fibre glass resin and are coloured silver or gold. Faith has been running workshops here, the next is Thurs 28th. Details and pics on her website
--------
Its a wonder the city
Its a wonder the city centre streets and shops aren't completely deserted. With, already, quite literally more than 3 people boycotting the city centre because of Yoko's banners, the council have started erecting huge Christmas decorations across the main thoroughfares.
I don't recall anyone asking the people of Liverpool if they wanted this stuff forced upon them. They haven't even got the excuse that its the work of an internationally renowned artist. It is tasteless, offensive, degrading, ironic and any other inappropriate adjectives you can think of. No doubt, there will be many members of the public complaining to the Council and the press already. As a devout anti-christmasitarian myself I will have to avert my eyes but this could make my gallery visits a bit difficult. I suppose they'll plonk a fir tree in the Walker soon.
I'm not sure what my punishment will be if my eyes should happen to fall on a Santa Claus or, heaven forbid, a whole nativity scene complete with David Bowie singing Little Drummer Boy! Perhaps, I'll be forced to spend the rest of my days in a room full of Stuckists, Religious zealots and everyone who's ever appeared on Big Brother. --------
I don't recall anyone asking the people of Liverpool if they wanted this stuff forced upon them. They haven't even got the excuse that its the work of an internationally renowned artist. It is tasteless, offensive, degrading, ironic and any other inappropriate adjectives you can think of. No doubt, there will be many members of the public complaining to the Council and the press already. As a devout anti-christmasitarian myself I will have to avert my eyes but this could make my gallery visits a bit difficult. I suppose they'll plonk a fir tree in the Walker soon.
I'm not sure what my punishment will be if my eyes should happen to fall on a Santa Claus or, heaven forbid, a whole nativity scene complete with David Bowie singing Little Drummer Boy! Perhaps, I'll be forced to spend the rest of my days in a room full of Stuckists, Religious zealots and everyone who's ever appeared on Big Brother. --------
October 18, 2004
I'm not biennialing today. Most
I'm not biennialing today. Most galleries are closed on Mondays and I need to catch up on a few chores like buying food, washing clothes etc. Then I'll watch the new onedotzero dvd 3 which arrived in the post this morning, yeah!
--------
'Cabin Pressure' at the Cabin
'Cabin Pressure' at the Cabin Club. thePooch.com I said this might be fun and it was. Shame there weren't more passengers on board this flight but they were a very friendly gang. I nearly wasn't allowed on board as the xray machine detected an offensive weapon in my coat! There was good in-flight entertainment including a virtual avatar , 'Bronwen' the ethereal apparition and I got this cute purple pooch pen from the duty-free trolley
There's a return flight scheduled for 7th November --------
There's a return flight scheduled for 7th November --------
October 17, 2004
Another epic art trek today.
Another epic art trek today. Beans on Toast with black coffee for late breakfast at Tabac. Nothing arty about that (unless you count the huge fish tank), just wanted to recommend it. Then down to 32 Seel St. but they hadn't opened. Artists lose all sense of time, they live in their own creative world where timepieces are used only as objects in surrealist landscapes. It was open later though so I'll come back to that.
Happily though, there's some new works in the Novas building. I don't have their names, I couldn't find any printed notes but its all very interesting. Watch out for giant spiders and barefooted loft monsters.
This is the theatre producer, Michael White's collection of 40 years worth of every invitation, badge and guest pass he's ever been sent. It was interesting to see how the styles had changed over the years.
--------
twoeightone presents: Transient
Except they didn't! Or, not to me anyway. They were only here for this weekend in a small room in the Marriott Hotel. The receptionist kindly got a member of staff to let me in for a quick look but there was nothing much to report. They're a collective based in Madchester so enough said.Yours Faithfully
At the Museum of Liverpool Life. I was actually heading for the Independents area but went via the waterfront and spotted this new exhibition by students from 6 local schools. Its not Biennial, its 'Year of Faith' and I don't have a single religious cell in my body (thank God) but its a lovely little exhibition and I learned that there's a Baha'i Centre in Langdale Rd., I never knew that before.Novas Building - New Stuff
So I eventually reached Greenland St., I was looking for a thing called FIT IN which was scheduled to start last week. But I couldn't find it and no-one I asked knew anything about it s I'll have to investigate that one another time Happily though, there's some new works in the Novas building. I don't have their names, I couldn't find any printed notes but its all very interesting. Watch out for giant spiders and barefooted loft monsters.
Ephemera
Another good bit of fortune as I was walking back along Jamaica St I noticed this exhibition which was supposed to finish yesterday was actually open. Of course, it hadn't been open when I'd tried to see it previously at a time when it should have been open.This is the theatre producer, Michael White's collection of 40 years worth of every invitation, badge and guest pass he's ever been sent. It was interesting to see how the styles had changed over the years.
Hello Sailor!
Back to 32 Seel St., another new exhibition. This is also part of the Homotopia festival and is an exhibition of Gay Art or rather an exhibition by gay/lesbian artists including Holly Johnson, Sadie Lee, Trademark and Gary Sollars who is also exhibiting in the transVoyeur section at the Novas building. Its a 'carnivalesque cornucopia of Queer' and is also rather good. There are also a pair of steam irons singing to each other! You have to get quite close to hear them. They're singing 'Somewhere' from West Side Story - naturally.
--------
'Cabin Pressure' thePooch at the
'Cabin Pressure' thePooch at the Cabin Club, 8pm tonight £3. Think I'll have look if I've still got the energy, went to the Cabin a few times when I was a teenager many, many years ago.
--------
October 16, 2004
'Ritual Bodies' at the WalkerNormally
'Ritual Bodies' at the Walker
Normally when I go to the Walker now I just head straight for the Special Exhibitions rooms, I've seen all the other stuff so many times. But these 'artists interventions' are spread around so I ventured into rooms I hadn't seen for quite a while which I suppose is a good thing. There's just 4 artists involved, I liked Margaret Cahill's thin plaster dresses lit up from inside.
Here's a picture of some of Phil Davenport's poetry on apples
One of them is stuck on the blade of this statue in the cafe area. The 'Gallery Guard' (Mike Chavez-Dawson) sings a song about it.
A pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. --------
Normally when I go to the Walker now I just head straight for the Special Exhibitions rooms, I've seen all the other stuff so many times. But these 'artists interventions' are spread around so I ventured into rooms I hadn't seen for quite a while which I suppose is a good thing. There's just 4 artists involved, I liked Margaret Cahill's thin plaster dresses lit up from inside.
Here's a picture of some of Phil Davenport's poetry on apples
One of them is stuck on the blade of this statue in the cafe area. The 'Gallery Guard' (Mike Chavez-Dawson) sings a song about it.
A pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. --------
The previews at Arena in
The previews at Arena in Duke St. are usually very popular and this was no exception. Perhaps its the cheap drink or its proximity to bars and clubs or I suppose it could be the artwork. Anyway the small gallery was very crowded and it was a good atmosphere as the 5 recent art graduates attempted to explain their work to annoying inquisitors like me.
I can't really describe it, you have to go and see it for yourself.
I was going to go on to the Independents area to see the transVoyeur performances but the rain was so heavy the nearby bars proved irresistible. --------
I can't really describe it, you have to go and see it for yourself.
I was going to go on to the Independents area to see the transVoyeur performances but the rain was so heavy the nearby bars proved irresistible. --------
October 15, 2004
There was still quite a
There was still quite a trail of sand (from last nights crawl) round the streets this morning. --------
The Art Crawl last night
The Art Crawl last night was great fun, I didn't do the whole thing though as I went to the Northern Lights relaunch party at the Masque which was also great fun.
Dorrie Halliday's Urban Angels were released into the night sky from outside The Quarter Cafe. Yes, they're actually red balloons but they have postcard prints of Dorrie's angel pictures tied to them. I've just looked at her website and a couple of people in the Manchester area have already reported finding some.
Also starting from here was Rebecca Backhouse's live performance 'Trace'. She filled a couple of people-shaped canvas sacks with sand and dragged them along the ground so that the sand starts to slowly pour out leaving a trail. Here they are enjoying a drink before starting off.
By the time they got to the second venue, Puschka, they were already looking a bit worn!
We congregated in the small wine cellar at Puschka where there are some great ceramics. I then left the 'crawl' but joined up with them well after midnight at the Bumper club where David Knopov was singing Sinatra songs in his Perfectly Frank guise. I'm not a Sinatra fan but this guy is good, I vaguely remember joining in the dancing at one point before literally crawling up the hill to bed at 2am. --------
Dorrie Halliday's Urban Angels were released into the night sky from outside The Quarter Cafe. Yes, they're actually red balloons but they have postcard prints of Dorrie's angel pictures tied to them. I've just looked at her website and a couple of people in the Manchester area have already reported finding some.
Also starting from here was Rebecca Backhouse's live performance 'Trace'. She filled a couple of people-shaped canvas sacks with sand and dragged them along the ground so that the sand starts to slowly pour out leaving a trail. Here they are enjoying a drink before starting off.
By the time they got to the second venue, Puschka, they were already looking a bit worn!
We congregated in the small wine cellar at Puschka where there are some great ceramics. I then left the 'crawl' but joined up with them well after midnight at the Bumper club where David Knopov was singing Sinatra songs in his Perfectly Frank guise. I'm not a Sinatra fan but this guy is good, I vaguely remember joining in the dancing at one point before literally crawling up the hill to bed at 2am. --------
October 14, 2004
Thanks to Greg for sending
Thanks to Greg for sending these from Toronto! No jokes about enormous zoom lenses please, Greg came over to help Daisy Delaney install the windmills.
This was on the windiest day of the year, you see the lengths our heroic artists go to to brighten up our daily lives. And the effort some scallies must have gone to to steal some of them!
There's more pictures here and there's more windmills on the way later this month. --------
Arena - Graduates 04 Oct
Arena - Graduates 04 Oct 16th to 30th. Private viewing tomorrow 15th 7-9pm. Six new graduates in need of appreciation and support. Wonder if I can buy one, lock them in a garret somewhere and force to them to turn out ten paintings a day in return for one bowl of gruel. Nah, not worth the hassle, the paintings wouldn't sell and where can you find a garret these days. Starving artist in a luxury penthouse studio apartment just doesn't sound right.
--------
Yoko Ono and boobs .
October 13, 2004
Richard Creed: Living in a
Richard Creed: Living in a Sea Shell - University Art Gallery
Didn't realise it was an open day at the University today, the campus was even more crowded than usual but this gallery in Abercromby Sq is always a quiet haven. There's 3 floors full of all kinds of stuff including some Turners, Augustus Johns and Epstein.Special exhibitions are always on the top floor and, as in this case, if there's too many pieces to fit in the room they spread out on to the stairwell.
All the paintings are abstract - very abstract - which is fine but these just didn't do it for me, apart from a couple. There are several watercolours and small canvases which show the artists preparatory work. Quite a few of these sketches and one of the oils is an interpretation of Abercronmby Sq as viewed from the gallery. --------
I've received confirmation (thanks Sarah)
I've received confirmation (thanks Sarah) that the Art Crawl tomorrow finishes at the Bumper in Hardman St (formerly Plummers). Scheduled to be there near 12pm and carry on till 2am with performances from Gaynor Evelyn Sweeney and Perfectly Frank.
--------
The Bar Art Crawl happens
The Bar Art Crawl happens tomorrow. Starting at The Quarter at 6pm (rumour is that Angels will be taking flight from here) and finishing at..oh hang on. Web site and original booklet say Modo but flyer says The Bumper, the flyer is quite recent so I guess its the Bumper, anyway thats at 11pm so everyone will be too pished to notice where they are. Wonder if there'll be free drinks, doubtful but we can hope Link
--------
October 12, 2004
LETS Create at ArtSpeq Quiggins
LETS Create at ArtSpeq Quiggins - I took a second look at this as it finishes this Saturday and there's some new additions. I like the various fabric things hanging around the place, makes a nice change from staring at walls and Mick Green's painted computer screens are fun - Read more about him here Nerve Magazine
--------
Vanishing Point, Sited works by
This is a new exhibition,
This is a new exhibition, opened yesterday, of works by Stephen Boyd on the theme of the historical perception of paintings. Pictures of conservation artists studios feature quite a lot. Its quite different from anything else and the techniques seem well executed. I like one called 'Aura' which has blue & red LEDs shining onto it.
Philip Key reviews it in today's Daily Post. I do agree with him that the artists statements are extremely pretentious and not at all helpful. ic Liverpool - Liverpool Biennial - Vanishing Point, Conservation Centre
Note: Its on two floors, if you're not used to the Conservation Centre its easy to miss either the Mezzanine or the First floor, depending on where you start from. --------
Philip Key reviews it in today's Daily Post. I do agree with him that the artists statements are extremely pretentious and not at all helpful. ic Liverpool - Liverpool Biennial - Vanishing Point, Conservation Centre
Note: Its on two floors, if you're not used to the Conservation Centre its easy to miss either the Mezzanine or the First floor, depending on where you start from. --------
October 11, 2004
Not strictly biennial this but
Not strictly biennial this but as I was approaching the Albert Dock yesterday I thought my old friend the superlambbanana had been vandalised. When I got close up I saw that I was correct!
Maybe I'm taking this too seriously, the sculpture was meant to be funny after all, but bananas should be yellow (though mine are often black). In the past this has been painted pink then black & white. Now its being used like an advertising hoarding for a not very inspiring logo.
Will all these 08 signs be sticking around for the next four years I wonder. --------
ic Liverpool - Liverpool Biennial
ic Liverpool - Liverpool Biennial 2004
I actually remembered to vote this week. This is the Liverpoll thing by Sanja Ivekovic, there's a different poll each week and the results are displayed on the large pie-charts in Church Alley outside the Bluecoat. --------
I actually remembered to vote this week. This is the Liverpoll thing by Sanja Ivekovic, there's a different poll each week and the results are displayed on the large pie-charts in Church Alley outside the Bluecoat. --------
October 10, 2004
I looked on as four
I looked on as four Tate visitors played the SuperCurator game this afternoon. This was created by Navin Rawanchaikul and takes up most of one of the rooms. I like the whole thing even without the game-playing
To quote..."This game is devised on the basis of Rawanchaikul’s own experiences. Situations set up for the player include cultural misunderstandings and attempts to influence an artist’s work. The player’s decisions determine whether he or she can ‘make it’ and become a successful international curator. The game is also a competition and a league table will be displayed throughout the exhibition."
The game itself looks similar to monopoly, a member of staff acts as banker and helper. The winner gets a smart trophy and their picture is painted into the large mural on one of the walls. all good fun, there are 6 games a week scheduled so if you're interested call 707 6719 to book. --------
I'm happy to report that
I'm happy to report that the large banner that was taken down from St Lukes church to replace a damaged one at the Bluecoat is now in place. Its looking a bit wrinkly though.
Respect to the Biennial people! --------
October 09, 2004
'In Shop-Shop' Torolab. I
'In Shop-Shop' Torolab. I saw this cart a lot at various places in the city centre in the first couple of weeks but not recently. Its a rubbish cart which has been transformed into a mobile shop and it sells items that some have rejected as rubbish but that others consider well worth buying. Mostly CDs and T/sweat shirts. When I took this picture they were selling CDs by the Mexican version of The Cheeky Girls, it had been rejected, quite rightly, by all the broadcasters but nevertheless became very popular amongst people with no taste. I'm not saying whether I bought one or not. --------
'Bread & Games, Plant
'Bread & Games, Plant & Play' Azra Aksamija This takes place in Gt. Georges Square (off Nelson St) each Saturday. The plastic boxes each contain an item, you can leave things in them or swap or borrow, I think. Bit complicated for me. I saw books, toys, clothes etc. There were some of these in the Tate as well only filled with soil and small plants or seeds which you could take away to grow the plants then you bring them back at the end of the Biennial to make a huge pan of scouse.
Its all about 'enabling the exchange of objects and ideas.' --------
October 08, 2004
which translates as Small Landscape
which translates as Small Landscape is in the Gostin Building in Hanover St. Don't be put off by having to use the intercom to get in and the scarey old lift up to the 6th floor. This is all part of the experience. There's about 20 pictures on the corridor walls as you come out of the lift. The clue is in the title, there are no large works, some are very small and they're all landscapes or the landscape is used as a theme. Various medias, of course, nothing outrageous, all very nice.
--------
October 07, 2004
Spotted a couple more
Spotted a couple more of Daisy Delaney's windmills today, looking a bit tired but still alive.
My sources tell me that there should be more appearing later this month so watch out for them. --------
Pollination - Artist: Peter ChanJust
Pollination - Artist: Peter Chan
Just got back from an art crawl across the city centre. Thats another couple of miles done and I need new shoes. Peter Chan's large canvases (oils or gloss paint) are abstractish mostly with a floral/blossom theme. They're at 7 different venues and I set myself the challenge of getting round them all in a morning.
I started at the SAS Radisson Hotel at the far end of Hall st. There's an interesting little courtyard there with round glass etched pictures in the walls and floor which is worth looking at (see pic). Chan's pictures are in the foyer which is also an interesting space, there about 6 pictures here. Next was Bang & Olufsen in Castle St., 2 pictures here, one's in the demo room. then Vivienne Westwood in Cavern Walks, 2 by the Mathew St entrance and one high up at the other end. Wade Smith in Mathew St. just had the one on the top floor (Mens Boardroom) - this has fish (Koi I think) rather than flowers. Next its up to Bold St, Waterstones Costa Coffee have a couple (one black & white) and a couple more in Giancarlo Ricci. Finally the Tea Factory has 2 pictures near the Fleet St entrance which look quite similar to ones that I saw at the first place (wonder if thats deliberate?).
That was fun but I felt obliged to buy things everywhere I went! Anyone want to buy these from me? A Vivienne Westwood shirt (£150); Gucci Denim Jeans (£220) and you thought art was expensive!; Versace T shirt (£84); B&O Plasma TV (££££). Only joking of course, there's no way I'd sell my lovely Westwood shirt darling. --------
October 06, 2004
I'm sure there's been some
I'm sure there's been some reduction in the number of experiments on animals for such things as cosmetics but looking at the New Contemporaries I'm worried that young artists are taking up the slack. 'Swarm' is a wonderful piece but I wanted to know if all those flying insects died of natural causes, there's a triptych of pictures of foxes standing on hind legs (they may have been stuffed, I don't know), Thomas Needham's Untitled has whats left of a dead pheasant stuck to the canvas, there's a video called Swan Upping - don't know whats happening but it involves a load of swans. Also some photos of monkeys, again, I don't know whats going on but they look like they're inside horrible wooden crates. Is this representative of this years college output or are the selectors especially keen on exploitation of animals.
There's also the horse in the Trigger video (at the Bluecoat) which was very much alive and I'm sure was just as shit-scared as the staff and guests it bumped into as it was led round the Adelphi with cameras strapped to its body. Especially when it was taken out onto the balcony above the noisy city centre. --------
There's also the horse in the Trigger video (at the Bluecoat) which was very much alive and I'm sure was just as shit-scared as the staff and guests it bumped into as it was led round the Adelphi with cameras strapped to its body. Especially when it was taken out onto the balcony above the noisy city centre. --------
Too busy with domestic issues
Too busy with domestic issues today to visit a gallery and I'm suffering. I think this is the first day I've missed since the start and I feel cold and empty. I need the buzz, the adrenalin rush. the mind-bending experience that only contemporary art can provide. I need more pictures of snowmen with candles on their heads, videos of women in swimsuits being splashed by passing cars, little red houses blasting Abba music, huge inflatable flowers and whisky fountains. Instead, I spent most of the day in the cultural wasteland known as 'The Wirral'. I'm a Citydweller Get Me out of Here!
--------
October 05, 2004
I must have seen a
I must have seen a few films here in my yoof but its been derelict for a long long time as you can tell by the picture. Now they've replaced the doors with a solid glass panel so you can see the dilapidated gloomy foyer while some shots from various surveillance cameras around the building are screened onto the glass. There are also occasional short performances shown on the screen, the final one scheduled for Friday 15th Oct. after which it will close down again.
The artist Peter McCaughey says he's interested in sites that are ,to quote Kerry Brougher, "not empty but filled with absence" - nice one. Link --------
I was hoping to post
I was hoping to post this message from the Independents district but was unable to get online. I reported a while ago that Nublu have provided a wireless hotspot for the area in Jamaica St. so I went to check it out today and just my luck the link was down. The Techies (well, Billy, anyway) were working on restoring it. You can spend a good half day viewing all the things in this area so its comforting to know that (if you dare) you can take your laptop along (they can feel really heavy after a while) and never be far from your emails.
--------
October 04, 2004
Ah yes, wonderful Blackburne House,
Ah yes, wonderful Blackburne House, fond memories of teenage schoolgirls. My first girlfriend, Carolyn, was one of them. I was a pupil at the Institute boys school (now LIPA) across the road. We used to see each other on the bus which was great until we broke up then it got a bit awkward. I did the decent thing and took another route or even walked which meant I was often late for school. This annoyed the teachers, one thing led to another, so I'm failing at school and jilted in love, that girl ruined my life! Bastard Blackburne House, I hate you!
Er, anyway, the art's nice and its a Womens Technology Centre now. Its an exhibition of 17 Romanian/Magyar artists in various media, its curated by Nicole Bartos who is exhibiting her own works from the 21st at the St Petersburg restaurant. There's painting, some very delicate ceramics, mixed media and photography including some that were tucked into some rather nice corduroy shirts! (see pic)
I was trying to work out if there's a particularly Romanian/Hungarian flavour to it but I'm not sure, individual pieces don't seem that much different from what I normally see round here but I think my overall first reaction was that of being in a foreign gallery
Its not often we get the chance to see work from this part of Europe, its not in the Biennial guide book but details are on the website
--------
Er, anyway, the art's nice and its a Womens Technology Centre now. Its an exhibition of 17 Romanian/Magyar artists in various media, its curated by Nicole Bartos who is exhibiting her own works from the 21st at the St Petersburg restaurant. There's painting, some very delicate ceramics, mixed media and photography including some that were tucked into some rather nice corduroy shirts! (see pic)
I was trying to work out if there's a particularly Romanian/Hungarian flavour to it but I'm not sure, individual pieces don't seem that much different from what I normally see round here but I think my overall first reaction was that of being in a foreign gallery
Its not often we get the chance to see work from this part of Europe, its not in the Biennial guide book but details are on the website
--------
Not a very good pic
Not a very good pic but this is Denis Buckley dragging a steel suitcase tied to his waist with chains round the city centre a bit like a young Joseph Marley. Not sure whats going on here, perhaps his thoughts are in the suitcase. He's based in the Sandon Room at the Bluecoat this week where you can communicate with him via intercom. I couldn't because as you can see he was just on his way out. Link
There's a veritable plethora of Live Arts events during the Biennial, many based at the Bluecoat. Looking forward to the In The 'Pool launch on Thursday - this is a mix of dance, music and film.
Tom McIlwaine at Metropolitan Bar
Great excuse for an aperitif, this Art in Bars thing. This used to be the Brewery bar in Berry St. which had the huge shiney (copper?) vats in the window, they've gone now sadly but the place needed a makeover. I thought the paintings were acrylics at first but the artist mixes oil and gloss paints which creates an unusual matt/gloss veneer, I like them, they're all portraits. --------Even those Yoko Ono bags
Even those Yoko Ono bags and badges that have been handed out to all and sundry, these are being advertised as rare limited edition items!. Someone has bid £19 for one of the bags, badges are going for £2 or £3 and one daft git is selling one of the 7 foot banners, latest bid £33. Unsurprisingly, police are believed to be investigating that one, here's the link
--------
October 03, 2004
Someone named Anonymous made the
Someone named Anonymous made the following comment...
--------
"So far the Liverpool Biennial has been going well i'm sure you would agree.However, I would like to ask you Ian what you think of the International strand of the Biennial. Do you think it has over shadowed the Independents a little?"
I'm sure you've noticed that my postings are pretty shallow, light-hearted banter but if you want to join in this heated debate please do. I've made my lame attempt to respond in the comments. So click on it.
Note: seems to take hours for comments to appear after publishing. It'll be there eventually.
--------
'Close to the Sea' at
'Close to the Sea' at FACT
Just into the third week now and I'm feeling a bit weary, contemporary art overdose, biennialy bloated.So, I chill out by going to a gallery! Just the one today though. I had a quick look at this work by Yang Fudong on the first day, it seems to be one of the critics favourites so I had a longer look. I really like it, its in a large space and has ten video screens, 2 in the middle showing a young couple in love, living by the sea but threatened with death. The other 8 screens show the musicians standing on rocks by the sea playing the music you hear all the way through. To quote from the blurb "The specially commissioned musical score by Jing Wang conveys a strange, dreamlike, disturbing quality" thats just what it does. Its quite a long piece (about 30 mins) and there's no seats. --------
October 02, 2004
As promised, I made a
As promised, I made a second attempt at watching Francesco Jodice's film about UFO sightings in the Mersey Valley at Open Eye. I came in near the end, there's an old geezer 'singing' and playing the spoons (rather well) in the FACT bar. So then the film restarts and a woman starts prattling on about cake decorating and her collection of porcelain pigs. I couldn't take any more, sorry.
To be fair, the film is not intended to be just about the UFOs but also about "pathways into the everyday lives of ordinary people". But thats the problem for me, its purely personal taste of course, I'm not decrying them but I really dislike films about the everyday lives of ordinary spoon-playing, cake decorating, ornament collecting, karaoke singing, line dancing, bingo playing, UFO spotting, even web blogging people.
So I went to the Bluu Bar to see the "Live Artist in residence" but he isn't resident at all, in fact, he pulled out. Apparently Tony is on the case so let us know, Tony, if there's any news. Nice bar, first time I've been there.
Next I went over to 44 Duke St, The Darkroom Gallery, open daily 16.00-20.00, it was 16.30 and it was very unopen. Ah well, there's bound to be a few non-happenings, you know what artists are like but not a very successful afternoon. Still, I would normally be in front of the TV watching people discuss the football scores. I think there's a video of me spending Saturday afternoons watching the football scores showing at a gallery somewhere. --------
To be fair, the film is not intended to be just about the UFOs but also about "pathways into the everyday lives of ordinary people". But thats the problem for me, its purely personal taste of course, I'm not decrying them but I really dislike films about the everyday lives of ordinary spoon-playing, cake decorating, ornament collecting, karaoke singing, line dancing, bingo playing, UFO spotting, even web blogging people.
So I went to the Bluu Bar to see the "Live Artist in residence" but he isn't resident at all, in fact, he pulled out. Apparently Tony is on the case so let us know, Tony, if there's any news. Nice bar, first time I've been there.
Next I went over to 44 Duke St, The Darkroom Gallery, open daily 16.00-20.00, it was 16.30 and it was very unopen. Ah well, there's bound to be a few non-happenings, you know what artists are like but not a very successful afternoon. Still, I would normally be in front of the TV watching people discuss the football scores. I think there's a video of me spending Saturday afternoons watching the football scores showing at a gallery somewhere. --------
Posts disappear off the end
Posts disappear off the end of this page after a while. Click on the archives links on the left of the page to see older postings.
Click on the comments link below postings if you want to comment. --------
Click on the comments link below postings if you want to comment. --------
Went to the two Cathedrals
Went to the two Cathedrals today. The Metropolitan has a work by Julian Broadhurst which is eight geometric shapes (2D not 3D). Can't think of anything interesting to say about it, sorry, but this place is crammed with good paintings and sculptures so is always worth a visit if you've not been before.
The Anglican was rather cool, the organ was being played (which was nice) and there's 2 large structures made out of old coats donated by people from the sister cities of Cologne and Liverpool. You can walk inside and a lot of the coat pockets contain messages about the coats history which you are encouraged to read (just try and make sure you put it back in the correct coat!). Its called 'Belonging and Beyond' Link --------
The Anglican was rather cool, the organ was being played (which was nice) and there's 2 large structures made out of old coats donated by people from the sister cities of Cologne and Liverpool. You can walk inside and a lot of the coat pockets contain messages about the coats history which you are encouraged to read (just try and make sure you put it back in the correct coat!). Its called 'Belonging and Beyond' Link --------
Walked down to the Independents
Walked down to the Independents area last night for the late night events but they're postponed until tonight. I know not why. Now I see that I could have gone to the private viewing at Hemingways coffee house, Faith Bebbington is running some sculpting workshops there details. It mentions a website launch as well but I tried it and it aint there yet!
Sadly, I've hardly made it to any of The Art Organisation events based in St Brides Church and they finish today. I think there's something going on at the Old Rodney Boys Club in Myrtle St later today so I'll try and call in.
There's the ROW Riposte event at Arena at 14.00 today. "Visitors are invited to participate..and to contribute to a real-time comments book" I'm not a participatory kinda guy but I'd be interested to hear about it from anyone who is. --------
Sadly, I've hardly made it to any of The Art Organisation events based in St Brides Church and they finish today. I think there's something going on at the Old Rodney Boys Club in Myrtle St later today so I'll try and call in.
There's the ROW Riposte event at Arena at 14.00 today. "Visitors are invited to participate..and to contribute to a real-time comments book" I'm not a participatory kinda guy but I'd be interested to hear about it from anyone who is. --------
October 01, 2004
Juno Covers at 33-45 Parr
Juno Covers at 33-45 Parr St
Went straight from St. Petersburg to 3345, the wine was flowing at both these places hence my fragility today. 3345 (update the website please guys!) is a members bar for 'Creatives' but its easy to join, you just have to pledge allegiance to all things creative, they send you a card, next thing you can be rubbing shoulders (it can get packed) with some of Liverpool's finest, totally stoned, musicians and JUNO produce the artwork for their albums, posters etc. There's large prints on display of their work for the Zutons, the Coral, the Stands and the MountaineersLater on there was some lovely singing from Camille
but before that I sat in the quiet boardroom and watched the digital artists videos - more details --------
'Beyond the Reality' at Hermitage
'Beyond the Reality' at Hermitage Art Gallery
I don't think this made it into the Biennial guides, I only heard about it because I bumped into the curator Kate Dadiani on the first day of the biennial so I went to the private viewing last night. This is an exhibition of work by the Georgian artist Mikhail Makharadze and features his original sketches for his costume designs for the Bolshoi and other ballet theatres as well as larger oil paintings portraying such things as the seven sins, decisions and Georgians' festive spirit. Look out for the folder where you can see photographs of the dancers performing in the costumes designed by Mikhail.
The gallery is above the St Petersburg restaurant in York St. The restaurant itself is on the first floor so you just carry on up the stairs, unless you want to stop off for a meal, its excellent cuisine apparently but too carnivorous for my tastes. Not sure when this finishes but the next exhib starts on 21st Oct so it can only be a couple of weeks. --------
This was broadcast last night,
This was broadcast last night, 5 originally said it was a 2 parter but it looks like they've reneged on that, will have to check next weeks schedules. So with only 23 minutes to cover the whole biennial they made the best of it I think. Inevitably they focussed on the Tate, John Moores, Bluecoat, Bloombergs and a few high-profile internationals like the 'abba house' and the obligitory Yoko (its for John) interview with several almost subliminal shots of other stuff.
Tim Marlow does seem genuinely enthusiastic and supportive of what's going on here and the lasting effect this event has on the city, he even predicted that by 2008 when it coincides with capital of culture it could be the best Biennial/Biennale in the world!
(Edit) Bit disappointed not to see myself on film, I was there! But I did spot young local artist Rebecca Ward (famous for her 'broken glass' installations at FACT's Cafe) & boyfriend.
Hi Becky.
--------
Tim Marlow does seem genuinely enthusiastic and supportive of what's going on here and the lasting effect this event has on the city, he even predicted that by 2008 when it coincides with capital of culture it could be the best Biennial/Biennale in the world!
(Edit) Bit disappointed not to see myself on film, I was there! But I did spot young local artist Rebecca Ward (famous for her 'broken glass' installations at FACT's Cafe) & boyfriend.
Hi Becky.
--------
oo ee ouch. Mixed my
oo ee ouch. Mixed my drinks last night, not quite to Withnailian excess but still feeling a bit rough. I had a lot to report too, wonder what it was?
Maybe after munching my way through this bowl of my home-made industrial-strength muesli I'll feel better.
--------
Maybe after munching my way through this bowl of my home-made industrial-strength muesli I'll feel better.
--------
Search
Recent Posts
- Michelle has been busy making
- I don't get angry but
- I couldn't face a trip
- An American Stuckist's Perspective on
- A few things finish this
- I braved the windy weather
- I called here yesterday afternoon.
- Seen & Heard 2 at
- I've been quiet for a
- --------
- There's lots of them around
- I spent yesterday afternoon in
- Daisy Delaney's back in town
- 1 Stop Wrestling News Free
- 11 paragraphsBased at the Static