(Photos by Tony Knox.)

About a hundred artists attended the meeting last night at Static with the new Creative Facilitator for the Independents, John Brady. He started with a quick overview of the Biennial structure and went on to explain why he feels the order of the words is important. Hence 'Independents Biennial Liverpool'. It then becomes easier to envisage an Independents Biennial Glasgow for instance then maybe an Independents Biennale Veince, Sydney etc.

DIY is important, i.e. Do It Yourself. The Creative Facilitator is here to Advise or Broker, to Develop Audiences and to ensure Critical Scrutiny, he is not here to provide funds or find venues or recommend any artist for funding etc.

There will be a none-selective listings publication of some sort, the Deadline is August 15th. It will be distributed locally by TEAM and artists can also send out copies to their own mailing lists.
The website will include daily updates (we'll see)

There will be a catalogue published after the Biennial following critical scrutiny of the exhibitions and a selection process.

There is still no Independents Board, there have been 4 nominations and more are sought.

Contact details:

www.independentsbiennial.co.uk
mail@independentsbiennial.org

The Blade Building
67 Greenland Street
Liverpool
L1 0BY

tel. ++44 (0)797 661 0581

More information including the templates from this meeting will be on the website in due course.
Artists are encouraged to send details of their plans via email.

There were a few announcements:
Contact Gaynor Sweeney for latest details of the Transvoyeur International project transvoyeuruk@hotmail.co.uk

Contact Dorrie Halliday for details of The Gang (of digital artists) meeting at 3345 Parr St on alternate Mondays, next one is July 3rd. ItsDorrie@aol.com

And Tony Knox is performing as Mothman during the St Helens Arts Festival on Saturday July 8th at 14.00 in Church St., St Helens.

Music from (half of) Lemon Jelly and interactive visuals from Airside at The Walker Art Gallery!
Oh, I am so, so looking forward to this year's Biennial.

STEP INSYDE
Biennial installation for the Walker Art Gallery
16 September – 26 November 2006

The Walker Art Gallery is delighted to present Insyde – a unique interactive installation created by multi-disciplinary design collective, Airside. The artwork is specially commissioned for the fourth Liverpool Biennial.

The piece is designed specifically for the upper hall in the Walker - a spectacular marble- lined thoroughfare between galleries that is part of the original building, dating from 1877. The installation responds to the atmosphere and architecture of the area and the movement of people passing through it.

Insyde envelops the exterior and interior of a large, cubed space built within four existing neo-classical columns. On entering the space, visitors are transported to a fantasy world– a mixture of actual and virtual objects where the distinction between reality and fantasy is blurred.

The world is styled as a futuristic woodland glade, comprising a mixture of real world objects, wall projections and music. Fred, who is one half of dance act Lemon Jelly, has specially composed this music for Insyde and it is an integral part of the piece.

As the viewer immerses in the environment, they meet the animated inhabitants of the glade. Creatures gradually emerge from the projections until they become clearly visible, reacting to motion detected by sensors built into the structure.

But, the inhabitants are shy. Sudden movements can scare them back into the undergrowth. They respond only to slow, gentle movement from individuals, encouraging viewer and inhabitant to come to an understanding, which in turn, allows for a scene to fully unfold. The experience between the gallery’s visitors and the inhabitants is almost that of discovering an alien tribe - both groups keenly yet cautiously observe one another and it requires patience and coaxing if the creatures and their world are to be fully revealed.

Ann Bukantas, curator of fine art at National Museums Liverpool, says: “Insyde is a unique and intriguing artwork that our visitors will need a combination of patience and curiosity to fully explore. The installation reflects Airside’s ability to push at creative and technical boundaries. It makes an innovative yet enchanting piece that will complement both the historic interior of the gallery and the diversity of work on show in Liverpool, during the Biennial.

“Given the city’s musical past, it is also exciting that Fred Deakin is composing a new piece of music which forms an important part of Insyde. This element of the work really captures the contemporary spirit of the Biennial“.

Insyde is exhibited throughout the Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s biggest contemporary art festival, alongside the John Moores 24 exhibition.

Not much there yet but if you are interested in the Biennial Independents 2006 you should bookmark it.

www.independentsbiennial.co.uk/

invitation to meet Independents Creative Facilitator John Brady
at Static, 23 Roscoe Lane Liverpool
on Monday June 26th 18.00.

John will outline his approach for 2006 and how it could contribute to future developments. There will also be an opportunity for artists/ project promoters intending to be Independents to call for participants, announce progress, etc., Those wishing to do so should forward a brief summary with full contact details to mail@independentsbiennial.org pronto. Do not send images or attachments at this stage.
For those of you unfamiliar with John’s previous work in the North West please see the biographical note below.

John Brady has extensive experience of conceiving, and subsequently promoting, high profile, multi- venue programmes through his work as Festival Director of Visionfest, Year of the Artist coordinator for the North West and coordinator for the International Symposium of Electronic Arts Conference. He has facilitated artist projects in primary schools, dockyards, promenades and shopping parades. Used frameworks as multifarious as walking tours, parties, public votes and media ranging from text messaging to performance art. John has programmed and managed exhibitions (in institutional and non-institutional spaces), conferences and exterior installations. He is familiar with the responsibilities, and opportunities, that come with innovative practice and the need for all artworks to attract and sustain audiences.

Deadline is July 7th 2006

MADE IN LIVERPOOL 06: BENEATH THE SKIN OF THE CITY

Made in Liverpool 04 was a screening of locally made films that took place as part of Liverpool Biennial 2004. Following on from the success of Made in Liverpool 04, Liverpool Biennial, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Scarman Trust will work together on the development of Made in Liverpool 06. The theme for Made in Liverpool 06 will be ‘Beneath the skin of the city.’

Get under the skin of the city through the medium of moving image for Made in Liverpool 06!

We are looking for films that respond to our changing city and that expose the energy of a city in transition.

The project will create an opportunity for local film makers to respond to this experience and provide a platform for these voices to be heard during Liverpool Biennial 2006.

Selected films will be shown in the seven Liverpool neighbourhood areas and on the BBC big screen during the opening weekend of Liverpool Biennial. Celebrations will include a special screening event and awards ceremony.

If you have a film that fits the above criteria we would love to hear from you!

For a submission form to apply for inclusion in Made in Liverpool 06 please contact Renae Belton on 0151 709 7444 or email renae@biennial.com

Closing date: 7 July 2006.

Made in Liverpool 06 is part of International+ (Liverpool Biennial's Learning and Inclusion Programme)

ARENA BIENNIAL CREATIVE FACILITATOR

INTRODUCTION:
Arena Studios will be transformed into a whole building of exhibition spaces throughout the Biennial period, 15th September till 15th December. Priority will be given to Arena members but space will be available for external projects. Our aim is to have the entire building as an innovative creative center with which to showcase Arena Artists and host guest projects, events, gigs, workshops and talks.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Arena Art and Design Association seeks to appoint a creative facilitator during the Biennial period.Responsibilities will include liasing with the directors, management and members to co-ordinate the exhibition programme. Reviewing exhibition proposals and communicating with external artists/art groups to fill any unused space. Applying for funding to producing publicity and marketing material and co-ordinate the transformation of the vacated studios into suitable exhibition space.

2. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

• Organising Arena Biennial Committee meetings
• Providing information on the Arena Biennial- in the run up to the Biennial, to potential contributors and press.
• Developing a selection mechanism for any external projects.
• Ability to apply for grants and funds if needed.
• Co-ordination of the Arena Biennial activities – managing central info / press and publicity
• Evaluation and way forward report.

3. SCHEDULE

The term of the contract will be from 3rd July to 20th December 2006

4. PLACE OF WORK

It is expected that the main place of work will be the office in Arena Studios.

5. EMPLOYMENT OF CREATIVE FACILITATOR

The Creative Facilitator will be working for Arena Charity on a freelance basis with funding received from grants and subsidies they create.

6. SELECTION PROCESS

Application: CV and statement
Your application will be evaluated and, if necessary, further clarification sought.
Short-listing process
Interview dates.

Venue TBC

7. DEADLINE AND ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN QUOTATION

Deadline for submissions: Friday 16th June 2006

You should send 2 hard copies of your CV and Statement in an envelope marked Confidential – Creative Facilitator for the attention of :

Sarah Richards
Development Manager
Arena Art and Design Association
Arena House
82-84 Duke Street
Liverpool
L1 5AA

CALL FOR PROPOSALS - ALL MEDIUMS CONSIDERED

Arena Art and Design Association are currently requesting proposals for exhibiting at our studios in the central Ropewalks area during the Liverpool Biennial 2006. A successful studio group providing affordable city centre studios for nearly 20 years, Arena has established itself as an important cultural institution within the city and beyond. Due to Arena’s relocation to new premises, this ideally located building will be transformed into a unique, multifaceted exhibition complex offering an exceptional opportunity for artists to exhibit during the Liverpool Biennial.

A historic building situated in the heart of Duke Street, Arena House comprises of four floors, a basement and sub-basement. Approximately 6,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space exists within the building to be allocated amongst Arena members, artists groups and independent artists. We are looking at facilitation three large groups and up to 10 individual artists each stage. Rental costs could be subsidised, but all exhibitors will be expected to contribute to rental costs for exhibition space.

Individual artists, artists groups and associations are asked to submit current CV’s, exhibition proposals, a CD-rom showing their practise, a non-refundable £5.00 administration fee (cheques only please)and a stamped self addressed envelope.

Individual artists should write 250 to 1000 words including a personal statement and a proposal outlining your project and what your requirements would be. For larger organisations please write up to 2,500 words including information on you and your previous work and what you propose to do. Also how you intend to make this happen together with details of how you plan to finance this.

Important Dates:

Deadline for submissions Friday 14th July 2006
Notification of decisions Friday 28th July 2006
Setting up from (Stage one)11-09-06 - (Stage two) 31-10-06
Private View (Stage one)16-09-06 – (Stage two) 04-11-06
Exhibition ends (Stage one)27-10-06 – (Stage two) 15-12-06
Removal all works (Stage one)30-10-06 – (Stage two) 20-12-06

Please make all cheques payable to Arena Art and Design Association and address all entries to:
Arena Biennial Exhibition
Arena Art and Design Association
Arena House
82-84 Duke Street
Liverpool
L1 5AA

For further information please email Sarah Richards on arenastudios@clara.co.uk