Spent Tuesday morning in South Liverpool. After visiting a couple of places in Smithdown Rd, we headed for Menlove Avenue
Calderstones park is lovely at this time of year (well it is any time of year really) and periodically there is an art exhibition to further enhance the park-visiting experience. The current exhibition in the Coach House is called 'Art from the Square' (I think) and features a few familiar names from the recent printmakers exhibitions and others. There are various media and styles, landscapes, seascapes, wildlife and abstracts. Very nice.
Its open 10.00 - 16.30 each day until June 11th 2006.

It was sunny but still cold, some nice hots chips for £1 from the cafe did the trick.

A bit further down Menlove Ave. is the Woolton Outhouse, I wasn't sure exactly where it was so we wandered up and down Vale Road for a while before seeking directions. Purely by chance we passed the house where John Lennon grew up, I'd never been there before. The glass outhouse is a bit further on in the small woodland at the back of the tower blocks. It is a piece of public art that was unveiled in early 2005, I think there's occasional displays inside it but it all looked a bit quiet at present, it was locked. Apparently it looks great as the day goes dark and it lights up.

There was huge crowd at the Cornerstone building on Friday for the opening of the Hope University Fine Art and Design Degree Show by the 2006 graduates. It continues until Friday June 2nd and is well worth a look. I thought the textiles and ceramics were particularly good. The painting seemed a bit weak this time but maybe that was just me being a bit worn out by the time I reached them.

From FACT...

FACT are seeking enthusiastic, hard working interns to work specifically on the Liverpool Biennial 06 exhibitions at FACT from June – September 2006.

Artists exhibiting at FACT during the Biennial 06 include Matthew Buckingham, Sissel Tolaas, Anu Pennanen, Kelly Mark, Shilpa Gupta, Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

Intern candidates must have an enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, contemporary art, some experience of working in the arts - ideally of coordinating an arts project, exhibition or event - and have excellent communication and organisational skills.

Candidates should be available for a minimum of three days per week, starting as soon as possible, until the opening weekend of the Biennial (September 16 and 17 2006).

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a friendly, dynamic team and organisation and gain first hand experience of working within the arts.

Please note these are voluntary positions but travel costs will be reimbursed within the Merseyside area.

To apply please send a CV, with covering letter outlining why you are suitable for this position and what you hope to bring to the post and FACT during the internship. Please also provide two referees.

For more information please contact:
Sheindal Cohen, FACT, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool. L1 4DQ
Tel: 0151 707 4444
Email: admin@fact.co.uk
Closing date for applications: Monday 12 June 2006
Interviews in Liverpool: Monday 19 & Tuesday 20 June 2006
www.fact.co.uk

We welcome applications from any individual regardless of ethnic origin, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. All applications will be considered on merit.

More good news for a North West artist. Though not actually based in Liverpool, Janette Ireland exhibited her pebble mosaic art at Egg last summer as part of a Headspace exhibition.
She has also exhibited at Hampton Court Palace and this past week her work was on show at the Chelsea Flower Show where she won a certificate of Merit for Outstanding Presentation.
Congratulations Janette.
More details on her website: www.mosaicart.uk.com

I was delighted to hear that local artist Sharon Mutch has been selected as a finalist for the Shrewsbury Open Art Competition. Hope she wins a prize too.
Shortlisted works will be exhibited across 4 venues in Shrewsbury from 15th July - 3rd September 2006 as part of the Shrewsbury Summer Season
ARTISTS’ AWARDS AND PRIZES INCLUDE £3,000 first prize; £1,000 prize and £500 ‘People’s Choice’ prize
The judges are a director of NESTA , a director of the Arts Council North East, Head of Arts at the Science Museum, London and the senior curator of Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Latest addition to the directory is Cannon King.
He says
'there are certain themes in my work that become apparent. when i become obsessed with certain shapes or subjects, they will appear in my work for a long time. my work on cigarettes has been a big part of my art for a while, but i have recently moved on. my cigarette work 'the Marlboro culture' was an attempt to sum up the 'smoking was cool' era.'
His own website: http://www.geocities.com/matthewcannon_king/

I featured this a while ago, here and there was a big spread in the Daily Post on Friday here.

You can now buy the prints, singly or order the complete set at special pre-publication prices from Lydia Bates website:

http://www.lydiabates.com/shop/

Via Daily Post...

A new museum displaying Liverpool university's precious art and heritage collections is set to open in Capital of Culture year.

Plans for the £7m gallery and exhibition complex are already in the hands of Liverpool council with academic bosses hopeful it will throw open its doors in just over two years' time.

They are planning a £2m fund-raising appeal to bring in some of the funds needed.

The new museum would be based in the university's Victoria Building, built in the late 19th century.

LINK

Via Wirral Globe....

THE £1m transformation of Port Sunlight's historic Lady Lever Art Gallery could start at the end of the summer.

Owners National Museums Liverpool hope Wirral's planning inspectorate will grant permission for a package of work that includes installing an access ramp, creating a new foyer and improving educational facilities.

Sandra Penketh, the gallery head, told the Globe: "The plans we have are in keeping with Lever's vision for the gallery and they will be sympathetic to the building. For instance, the entrance was originally designed as a grand reception space and we hope to utilise the original entrance."

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has stepped in to help the project with a £225,000 grant. Among the plans are improved education facilities for schools and an exhibition focusing on the gallery's founder.

LINK

Found these via Boing Boing. Much as I love contemporary animation these old Betty Boop cartoons are as imaginative and clever in some ways as any recent stuff.
LINK

At the South Liverpool Business Leaders meeting on Thursday Garston Artist Alex Corina presented Council Leader Councillor Warren Bradley with a picture produced to Celebrate Liverpool Capital of Culture.
The print Trojan Lamb Banana by artist Chris Vine is one of twelve Chris is working on up to the Capital of Culture 2008. The first four can be seen at 33-45 Parr Street.

Alex Corina who has led the campaign for the Lamb Banana to be returned to it's spiritual home asked Councillor Bradley when is it coming home to Garston?

Councillor Bradley responded “ I think it’s a great idea. I will go away and work on it with colleagues. We recently moved the Yellow Submarine to John Lennon airport. Garston will be the first, lets move it around the city so communities can benefit from what has become a city icon. I remember when the Lamb Banana first appeared people hated it and complained. If you tried to take it away now there would be a public outcry”.

Professor John Ashton Director of Public Health for the North West and supporter of the campaign said, “It’s fantastic, Garston would make a perfect home for the lamb banana” explaining “that the ship owner Sir Alfred Lewis Jones responsible, was a pioneer who not only imported and popularised the banana as a nutritional source of food for the working classes but was a founder of the school of tropical medicine in 1899 and also gave his name to the hospital in Garston.”

Alex Corina commented “I was surprised, its great news. The Yellow Lamb Banana has become an icon representing Garston and Liverpool’s heritage of exporting lambs and importing bananas that combines both with humour. The other link is that not only was Garston docks the route for exporting importing , but that the sculpture was made in Garston at the old Bryant and May Factory”.

The Tale of the Trojan Lamb Banana

'The Trojan Lamb Banana has been wheeled into the City of
Liverpool and placed on St. George's 'Greek Plateau'. Like the Trojan
Horse it stands and waits.

In the dead of night the clocks of the Liver Building are twinkling and
the people of Liverpool are fast asleep. All of a sudden a yellow door
on the side of the Lamb Banana opens; a red ladder is pushed out and a bunch
of scaled-down copies of itself are released among the Corinthian and Ionic
columns of the Walker Gallery and St. George's Hall.

The frisky little lambs take a quick sniff around and, with much bleating
and excitement, disperse to create as much artistic havoc as is
possible throughout the City of Liverpool.

A Limited Edition of prints of this painting are available. For further information printsatartworks@aol.com or phone 0776 338 8509
Website: www.alexcorina.com

Looks interesting and see the website: http://at-the-edge-of-art.com

Jon Ippolito: At the Edge of Art

Thursday 01 June 6.30pm The Box at FACT FREE
Artist, writer and curator Jon Ippolito presents his latest book. Written in collaboration with Joline Blais, At the Edge of Art analyses how the redefinition of our world brought by the Internet is affecting media arts (and vice-versa: how media arts have had a say in redefining the globe). Booking essential, please contact Paul Luckraft

One day only - today - Saturday May 27th until 21.00 in the Box at FACT.
Works by the Sound Art Collective 'Roguewave'. Its best if you are prepared to hang around for a while to hear a few pieces, there's about 15 in total. I only heard the first 5 and they were interesting.

First Wave: Site and Sound Rogue Wave sound art collective

27 May 12.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: The Box
Price: FREE - Just turn Up

An exciting exhibition of new sound art exploring the relationship between sound and place.

Rogue Wave has collected an array of sounds from environments such as the inside of an ice cube, the depths of a compost heap, a filling bath tub and wide open sandy beaches to make a collection of new immersive soundscapes that take you out of reality and into other worlds. The group uses a 10.2 surround sound system, similar to state of the art cinemas, to envelop visitors with sound.

First Wave: Site and Sound constantly questions the relationship between the listener and the listening space. How do we identify with our surroundings? What does sound tell us about where we are? Consisting of over a dozen pieces of work, including a live performance and an interactive soundscape.

Rogue Wave is a collective of 11 artists based in the North West. www.roguewave.org.uk

Supported by Arts Council England and MITES at FACT.

Here's the latest press release re art06...

Preston x.changes Its Market For Art
The Victorian covered ‘Fish Market’ on Market Street in Preston will play host to the art06 x.change on June 8th, offering the general public the opportunity to experience all elements of the arts in an exciting and visual manner.
The x.change, which will run from 10am – 5pm, will provide a fantastic opportunity to view art created by the north west art community; meet artists and various arts organisations from across the region and beyond; find out about new initiatives and ideas being implemented in the sector; promote companies and projects and make new creative business contacts, in a dynamic and professional forum.

As part of the art06 event, supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, BBC and Preston City Council, Preston will also see a host of artists and performers gathered in one place to showcase their work and entertain.

Some of the attractions at the x.change include: Clare Bigger, who’s awesome steel sculptures dramatically improved the appearance of Preston’s Friar Gate Brow area; Dynamic New Animation, presenting Puss in Boots, its national touring show for 2006 and the highly acclaimed Horse + Bamboo Theatre company, presenting two captivating and magical visual theatre shows. This is just a taster of the artists and performers exhibiting at the x.change.
Everyone from the region is invited to come along to the x.change to find out more about art in the region or to simply have a great family day out and enjoy the sights.

Michael Eakin, executive director of Arts Council England, North West said; “This event celebrates the vibrancy of the arts in the region. Our vision is to see the arts at the heart of the nation and people at the heart of the arts. I believe art06 and the x.change is an excellent way of demonstrating this commitment. This is an important day for people working within the arts as well as offering the general public the opportunity to experience all aspects of art and simply have a great day out.”

I haven't been to see it yet but there's an art exhibition in the visitors centre in Calderstones Park.
The exhibtion is on till 11th June 2006, open 10.00 - 16.30 each day.

Yikes! I'd better get started on my project, things are starting to move!

From Mike Noon (Arts Council NW)....

Colleagues

As he is still working on setting up channels of communication I have agreed to distribute the following message from John Brady, Creative Facilitator, Liverpool Biennial Independents:

Quote: 'The catalogue for the 2006 Independents will have a listings section with a copy deadline of August 16th. The editorial element will include comment, polemic and artwork. Catalogue space for editorial is limited and subject to selection. Materials and proposals for editorial content will be accepted for consideration in the period June 15th to August 3rd.' End quote.

It is also John's intention to make a public presentation to disseminate his approach to creatively facilitating the 2006 Independents in Liverpool on or around June 14th. To this end, this mailing list is now being permanently handed over to John in his role as Creative Facilitator, in order that he can keep you up to date with news and information as necessary, including the exact details of his public presentation when they have been clarified.

Best wishes

Mike Noon

Long time since I've been into Green Fish Cafe / Domino Gallery for a late coffee. Stan Ambrose was there playing the harp so it must have been Wednesday. There is a new solo exhibition of several landscape paintings by Keiron Bawamia, titled 'Landscapes from Life'.

I assume they are all paintings of places he has visited, in which case he's a much travelled bloke. There's Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Germany and Yorkshire to name just a few.

Mostly summery blue skies and green fields and hills. Not sure what the medium is, I guess acrylic on board, small to medium sized affordable works, beautifully mounted and framed.

I see that the 08 online shop is now open.

You can now kit yourself out in 08 logos from head to toe without even leaving your home.

There's everything from 08 golf balls to Anfield Road T Shirts.

Take a look: www.onlinemerchandising.co.uk/liverpool08/

Joining the dots between business and art...

Liverpool based art consultants dot-art celebrate the launch of a new series of canvas prints with an evening of networking and art at the Philharmonic Hall.

dot-art has produced a series of exclusive canvas prints by 8 local artists, which will be launched on the 1st June at an event hosted by Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and attended by the Lord Mayor as well as representatives from the local business and art worlds. The event, which will mark the beginning of an exhibition of the work involved running until the 13th June, will give local businesses and individuals the opportunity to meet the artists involved in an informal setting and be the first to own one of these fantastic pieces.

As well as selling to the general public through their website, dot-art makes it easy and straightforward for local businesses to buy and rent art work to brighten up their workplaces, increase staff motivation and present a fantastic corporate image, while at the same time supporting the local art world.

"We are passionate about supporting local artists," says Lucy Byrne of dot-art, "and believe that many local businesses feel the same, but are unaware of how to get involved or access their work. We can facilitate the entire process and provide a simple and effective way to support the citys artistic community."

To attend the event, email invite@dot-art.co.uk, otherwise you can visit the exhibition from 2nd- 13th June.
Website: www.dot-art.co.uk

From Dave Brazendale...

Liverpool Parish church of Our Lady and St Nicholas are preparing a programme of artistic and cultural events during 2006/7/8.
The church provides a prestigious venue in a central location.
Cost is kept to the minimum and we would welcome contact from artists who might be interested in usuing the location for exhibtions or events during the celebration years.

Includes, August 14 to 23 September 'Artists in Residence'

Organised by 'Dying Frog Arts Network' and supported by the Arts Council of Great Britain. Three artist will work in the church buildings for 2 weeks each. Visitors can see finished work and the works in progress. There will be a programme of group visits, workshops and discussions. The artists are 14 Aug to 26 Aug Julie Jones painter and print maker, 28 Aug. - 8 Sept. Tabitha Moses, installations and live art, 11 Sept. - 23 Sept Kevin Hunt, a sculptor.

Full list here: http://www.livpc.co.uk/OLSN_New_Main.htm

Lead Application Developer
Full Time, Fixed term (12 Months)
Competitive Salary

In 2007 FACT will launch a major online archive and web-based working platform for artists. An exciting opportunity exists to lead the small team designing and building the systems. You will have a hands-on approach with extensive understanding of open source web technologies, Apple systems and digital video and have 5 years experience and a strong track record.

For more information or to request an application pack please contact:
Zoë Chapman, FACT, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool L1 4DQ
Tel: 0151 707 4444
Email: chapman@fact.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Monday 12 June 2006
Interviews in Liverpool: w/b Monday 19 June 2006

www.fact.co.uk

We welcome applications from any individual regardless of ethnic origin, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. All applications will be considered on merit.

Even if you have no interest in 3345 Parr St and Parr St studios its worth learning about the disgraceful way they have been treated. 'Business ethics'? I wish. But if all the big names that have been involved with Parr St can't get through to Phil Collins & co. then what chance have the rest of us.

33-45 Parr St
Liverpool

Thomas Lang
Parr Street Recording Studios.
Liverpool
L1 4JN

07801 433 256
tom@3345parrst.com

Tuesday 23rd May 2006

Dear Sir/Madam,

It is with heavy heart that I am writing to ask that you air this letter in your paper/ website/ radio station.
I represent the tenants and the business consortium that put together a plan to save the famous Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, a Grammy Award winning studio for its work with Coldplay. Other artists that have worked here include, Doves, Embrace, Elbow, Badly Drawn Boy, and so many more.

We have all worked in this studio since it opened 12 years ago.

The tenants, who include Oxygen Music Management, for Ken Nelson (Coldplay producer), Porcupine Music who manage Echo and the Bunnymen, Sense of Sound (vocal training), Plastic (graphic design) working with Aintree Racecourse, and 3345, creative industries members club (8500 members and awarded 3rd best members’ club in the country by Arena magazine).

In November 2005, the tenants and the free-lance engineers at the studio found out that the owners - The Genesis pension fund (Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Tony Smith) had decided to cash in on Liverpool’s Capital of Culture 2008 status, by submitting a planning application to turn our studio and work place into “luxury apartments”. However, they don’t intend to develop the site themselves but use this as an opportunity to increase the value of the property with planning consent attached.

We met with the managing director of Hit and Run Music, Robin Moore on 13th January, 2006 at Parr Street and, at that meeting, the tenants were promised that if we raised £1.3 Million that would save the studio.

A consortium was formed, Gary Millar, Steve Macfarlane and myself, whereupon Heads of Terms and a contract were issued, and all the tenants relaxed a little.

Mr Michael Hole of Miles Commercial, the agent for the disposal then got involved and
pushed the price up another £50,000. With great difficulty we managed to raise the extra funds, were told that we had a deal, and a second contract was issued.

We have been waiting to exchange contracts for 12 weeks. Yesterday we were told that, based on a purported slanderous rumour, Michael Hole had advised the trustees of the Genesis Pension Fund that our intention was to resell the building for £2million and therefore they should not to sell to us. THIS OF COURSE IS A
LIE.
I have to add that this is not about us - its about the Studio. The bigger picture is about Music, Culture, Awards, Pedigree, Employment, Growth, Regional and International Excellence, Morals and being an absolutely fantastic facility - possibly being lost and overshadowed by Greed, Self Interest, Unsavory Tactics, Profits and Bully Boy Business Ethics.

Not only are we upset at what has become a farce, the waste of all of our significant time, but more so we are all upset that our characters appear to have been openly besmirched and that their apparent greed has run roughshod over business ethics. We have to add that this has serious implications for the tenants, since they own successful businesses at Parr Street and many may now lose their livelihood! We don’t intend to purchase the building to sell on, to knock down or to build flats. Our intention is to save a cultural icon and to also maintain the studios the creative cluster of companies that the studios house and create employment and businesses.

Mr Hole is now putting the property back on the open market however, he has verbally agreed that if we cough up £1.6 Million the studios are ours! This of course totally contradicts his previous advice to the trustees.

We cannot possibly afford it nor justify that price, based on the fact that we had been ‘promised’ that our offer of £1.35 would save the studios.

We feel that Messrs Collins, Banks, and Rutherford can’t possibly know how ‘their’ agent is operating, given the fact that they are all musicians they would never want to close a recording studio, and our place of work, losing jobs and opportunities for young musicians.

We believe that they are closing the studio next week, 31st May, and intend to have us all out by end of June 2006.

We would really appreciate it if you would publish this letter, which we hope may help get the attention of any member of Genesis and elicit their help, as we are confident that they have no idea what their agents are up to.

Please help.
Respectfully
Thomas Lang. Musician

GENESIS lyrics - Get 'Em Out By Friday

(Banks/Collins/Gabriel/Hackett/Rutherford

"Get 'em out by Friday!
You don't get paid till the last one's well on his way.
Get 'em out by Friday!
It's important that we keep to schedule, there must be no delay."

Yes, the Museum is closing on June 4th and the new place doesn't open until 2008 so make the most of the last few days.

PREPARING FOR NEW MUSEUM
Last chance to see the Museum of Liverpool Life

The Museum of Liverpool Life closes to the public on Sunday 4 June 2006 so that preparations for building work can begin this autumn on the new £65 million Museum of Liverpool.

The next few weeks offer a last chance to see displays at the museum that has been a popular Liverpool waterfront feature since opening in 1993.

The Museum of Liverpool will be a bigger and better version of the Museum of Liverpool Life which is housed in a former boat hall and building used by pilots controlling traffic along the river.

The Museum of Liverpool Life and its collections celebrate the people of Liverpool, their culture, achievements and contributions to national life. The fascinating displays also give remarkable insights into a unique city and its inhabitants.

During the final week of opening, a fun-packed programme of free family events takes place to mark the closure of the museum.

- Hear stories from a Meccano factory worker and handle items from the famous toy collection in Meccano in the Making at 1pm - 4pm hours on 25 May and 1 June 2006.

- Boo the heroes and cheer the villains in the time-honoured puppet show Punch & Judy. Show times are 1pm, 2pm and 3pm hours on 27, 28 May and 4 June 2006.

- Get to grips with the techniques and principles of printing with expert printer Dave Veevers. Drop in between 1pm and 4pm hours on 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 May and 2, 3, 4 June 2006.

- Take the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic Living With The Romans exhibition for the last time. Call in on Veritrix in the Roundhouse and meet the Iron Age resident between 12noon and 4pm hours on 3 and 4 June 2006. Alternatively, indulge in some Celtic Crafts, between 1pm and 4pm hours on 29 May 2006. Fun art, craft and dressing up are on offer for kids of all ages.
- Enjoy a guided tour around the galleries of Museum of Liverpool Life and rekindle some fond memories of our fair city. Tours start at 2pm and 3pm hours on 30 May 2006.

- Visitors with under-5s can enjoy a day at the seaside in early-years Playday. Bring the little tiddlers along between 1pm and 4pm hours on 31 May 2006.

LINK to Museum of Liverpool LIfe: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/liverpoollife

By Amanda DeAngeles

Hive 015: Veejay vs.Deejay
Date: 10 May Price: £5.00 (£4.00 FACT members & concs) WHAT!!!!!
The Hive Collective return to The Box for another session exploring the boundaries of audiovisual entertainment. Soundsystem culture will be revisited in a one-off videoclash event, focusing on the increasingly dynamic art of veejaying. Visuals teams from across the North West will battle each other accompanied by dj sets from Alextronic and Jasbof alongside live performances by Adam Sloan and Up You and Bill Payer.
Links: www.thehivecollective.co.uk

Halo,
Here's my verdict: I had no idea who did what, as there were no intros or running order announcements and my psychic power had crashed . . . assuming I had any to start with.

INTRO & ACT 1 - A large African woman seems sad as she watches overlaid, urban scenes. Music is akin to Tony Hart's Gallery (70's kids TV show featuring art- I wish they'd repeat it. I loved Morph). It was a breezy enough start for me, in the sofa-box lounge of FACT.
BTW I don’t think that sprawling on sofas lends itself to the stratosphere of this type of music. It seemed very odd, in fact.

Four rectangle pictures, set centrally, with no precision, flicked on and off the big screen. Shorter than seconds, repeated images were flashed, focused, blurred, zoomed and overlaid. A young Queen Elizabeth II, (perhaps), waved happily, as a soldier carried a gun and walked purposefully towards us, in a neighbouring rectangle. A fingerprint and images of tower-blocks, in New York, gave me a terrible kick in my gut. Thankfully, I didn't need to get up and walk out.

An out-of-sequence, loudspeaker- countdown, boomed, with blips and distorted electronica. Images - some subliminal, were hypnotic and it was impossible to stay with it. It was unsettling. The music continued with The Statue of Liberty and a race along Brooklyn Bridge. This cinematic view was as though the camera sped along, unaided by transport.
Thought-provoking, sound and light, indeed, but I think I could have put it together myself, on a laptop.
The next section was more upbeat: a skateboarder-versus-tread. I turned around and noticed two people were slapping their hands over a pair of projector beams to create the flashed images. It was a visual drum-machine!
A product of youth’s information-overload was evident in this work.

ACT 2-Next, a performance-DJ bit:

Tables were set up with machines, decked, in front of the silver screen. Two fellas got busy with a circuit-board operation. The music was more creative here. I heard a middle-aged man, complaining on a telephone, about money demands, to a call centre. Fizzy drumbeats, static, and howling winds blasted over a steady, repetitive and carefully-constructed beat, with drum and bass. A scrambled mix of 'Will you still love me tomorrow!’ was the only recognizable melody I heard. This was highly entertaining and hiked up further, above the phone-call. Live 'Woo'; onomatopoeic sound, was breathed into a hooked-up mic. The DJ/VJ's checked their game of timing with nods of their heads. Scratching, explosions, rapid bird-song and electronic waffle boards, progressed until the telephone call ended with: "Well you should know, don't get mad at me." in a fantastic, Northern accent.
This was a highlight for me and other viewer/listeners, who rushed forward and took photographs or recorded on mobile phones, the machines both DJ/VJ’s were toying with.

BACK to an American theme: “Michigan White Panthers” commentary interspersed with funky beats and a solid aura of a neon, dancing woman, surrounded by revolving -3-D shapes and blasts of (predominantly) pink or green light. Plenty of city warning signs of PROHIBITION etc. “Yo, tell me when to’, is cut off in its prime and then a French rapper dominates the sound. A robot spun around the screen.
Square kaleidoscopic images moved as slow as an escalator and more drum and bass featured in the sound. Images of train tracks and overhead cables raced as glow-woman persisted. This was a fairground ride; music/art was young, fresh, and political without words.

ACT 3- Black and white – I missed colour, after such a barrage of it, but this definitely contrasted. A stick, sun image and a delicate musical-box sound revolved a bird. This was coupled with audio of funk and stilted static. A hand tried to grab the bird, but the ink drawn picture suffered a severed finger. The circle of sun spun, like a droning washing machine as an overlay of oriental speech filtered through.
Pan-pipes, D&B and electronica, fused to explode a thorn in a bubble. A nerdy collection of stamps and beer-mats was accompanied by a bleat of a teenage philosopher. The spinning bird returned.
The VJ style streams, but topics are not segued. An architectural -3D building plan circles about. The music is a continuous drone of electronica/funk. People are exiting and entering the box-lounge. A medley of a man-deer-balaclava, snappy teeth, another spiky ball and New York Times Square is accompanied by the return of the musical box and great alliteration of “Need-a-drink, booze!” zig-a-zig-aaah’d.
I left to top-up my caffeine levels.

Overall - I think this was an interesting evening, but it lacked club atmosphere. I left early.

Amanda DeAngeles May 2006

The cartoonist behind the virtual band Gorillaz was named Designer of the Year last night, fending off a field which included the team behind the Guardian's Berliner format. Jamie Hewlett was awarded the £25,000 prize by the Design Museum for devising the graphics, website, animations and "live" performances of the chart-topping virtual group. The animated band, which he dreamed up with Blur frontman Damon Albarn, have released two successful albums.

Other finalists included the furniture and lighting designer Tom Dixon, Cameron Sinclair, for his work with humanitarian design group Architecture for Humanity, and the Guardian's redesign team.

Design Museum: more about Designer of the Year
Gorillaz website

We could do with more of this sort of thing, There's so much good art hidden away in offices, boardrooms, lecture theatres etc. etc. Shame its only here for a week, finishes on Friday 26th. A small but interesting exhibition in the reception area of the Plaza, mostly North West artists I think. The Plaza is the building that housed all the John Moores, Littlewoods offices and you can see the Moores Brothers outside having moved there whilst Church St. is being refurbished.
Had a nice but expensive cup of coffee in the bar at the Radisson across the road too.

Out of Office reveals what’s on those boardroom walls

Dates: 22 - 26 May 2006
Times: 10am - 6pm
Admission Free
Address: The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street
Brief Detail: Out of Office brings together inspirational pieces of art from the offices, corridors and boardrooms of more than 23 high profile North West companies. Hosted by Bruntwood in association with Arts & Business.

For one week, Bruntwood is turning one of their prestigious Liverpool office receptions into a fully functioning art gallery that will be open to the public. From 22 – 26 May 2006, the reception in The Plaza, Old Hall Street will be transformed as part of the Arts and Business event ‘Out of Office’ that Bruntwood is sponsoring.

Out of Office brings together inspirational pieces of art from the offices, corridors and boardrooms of North West companies. More than 23 companies will exhibit over 37 pieces of work. Alongside Bruntwood, other companies showing work include Addleshaw Goddard, DWF, Royal Bank of Scotland, Eversheds, Singer & Friedlander, Arup, C N Group Ltd and Mason Owen.

Many of the region’s offices have incredibly respected art collections, and Out of Office will be the first time many of the pieces go on public display.

Saturday May 27th 2006

Post Plastic presents: Sustainalicious - an ethical lifestyle fair for all! Fair trade...Eco Design...Local Talent (Judith Brown jewellery, Alison Bailey Smith wire creations etc.)...Free entrance! 10am till 4pm. The Piazza, Metropolitan Cathedral, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool.

And from 7pm till late there will be an evening of Ethical Fashion with Style - featuring catwalk displays from Junky Styling. Nook&Willow. Bulletproof. London Fashion Graduates, live music and dance. £7.50 entrance.
Tickets available from The Guild Card Shop and News from Nowhere(Bold St)
At The Crypt, Metropolitan Cathedral, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool City Centre
Email: postplasticpeople@yahoo.co.uk

Bluecoat Arts Centre is running 3 free drawing workshops for adults at Out of the Bluecoat on Paradise St (next door to BBC Radio Merseyside)

Tues 20th June 10.30am – 12.30pm

Weds 21st June 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Thurs 22nd June 5.30pm – 7.30pm

The workshops will be led by artist Simon McKeown and will explore less traditional drawing techniques in response to an exhibition at Out of the Bluecoat entitled Hermitage.

A short feedback session will be held after each workshop (with light refreshments) so we can gain your input into our planning for the future.

If you are interested in taking part in one or more of these experimental workshops then please contact Bec Jones on 0151 703 9248 or email bec@bluecoatartscentre.com

**Please forward this opportunity to anyone you think might be interested**

OpenEyeGallery
Jacob Aue Sobol - Sabine
Artist Talk - Friday 26 May 2006

In a rare UK appearance, Jacob Aue Sobol (winner of the 2006 World Press Photo Prize, in the category of Daily Life Stories) will be talking about the exhibition and other projects at Open Eye Gallery on Friday 26 May at 7pm. The talk will followed by an open, informal discussion.

'Sabine' has been described as "brilliant" by the British Journal of Photography - simultaneously a captivating love story and a fascinating insight into Inuit culture, Jacob's spontaneous, elegant black and white images form a beautiful tribute to an unforgettable woman and an extreme, remote landscape. Open Eye Gallery (in collaboration with Redeye) is delighted to offer you this rare opportunity to view the exhibition and to engage with this exciting young photographer - find out more about Sabine and her world, Jacob's experiences and inspirations, and his current work.

Advance booking is highly recommended - tickets are £5 (£4 concessions), and are available from Redeye on 0845 456 0260 or www.redeye.org.uk

A book is available to accompany the exhibition, and Open Eye Gallery is pleased to offer a 10% discount on all 'Sabine' book purchases made at the event.

'Sabine' is at Open Eye Gallery from 26 May to 15 July 2006 - we look forward to seeing you there

From Mike Noon at Arts Council NW....

Dear Colleagues

Following interviews last week, we can now announce that a Creative Facilitator for Liverpool Biennial Independents has been appointed. The successful candidate is John Brady, who some of you will know from his previous work in Liverpool. John is currently setting up ways to contact him, including a telephone number and e-mail address, and will be working out of an office in Greenland Street in Liverpool, thanks to the generosity of the afoundation. Further details will be circulated imminently, including a message from John.

The appointment of John is one which we hope will be a good one for the artists and the artistic communities of Liverpool, visitors to the Independent and the north west as a whole. Having worked with John some years ago I can vouch for his dedication to detail, artists and the city of Liverpool, and expect that he will unite all three within this work.

As agreed when this mailing list was being set up earlier in the year, it is now being bequeathed to John in his role as Creative Facilitator, so that he can contact you as necessary. If you now wish to be taken off the mailing list, please let me know (mike.noon@artscouncil.org.uk) as soon as possible and I will make the necessary changes.

In the meantime, the search for a board continues; some nominations have already been received. More are welcomed, especially from those with strong business skills and a non-arts background. Please continue to direct them to myself at Arts Council in the first instance. If you require a copy of the board specs and board nomination form, please let me know.

Best wishes
Mike Noon

Strictly speaking, I'm too old for this game but I don't care its more fun than those boring gameboy thngs (is gameboy still current? I don't know)
Anyway, it is a learn your alphabet flash interactive game. It uses paintings and objects from the Walker Art Gallery's collection to illustrate letters of the alphabet. It's all linked into the Big Art for Little Artists gallery.

I'm only up to D so far, I'm curious to see what they've chosen for X.

Link to Big Art ABC game

Carnival Artist / Assistant Positions- Voluntary (Brouhaha International
Street Carnival)

We are currently seeking artists/ workshop leaders to join their 2006 Carnival Production Team.

Our aim is to develop carnival arts with young people in Liverpool. We offer artist a wide range of Carnival skills, ranging from Costume Design, costume making and large scale production management the project working with
and along side community groups.

Working as part of a team, you will gain experience in producing carnival costumes, from the initial cloth to the final fitting. There will also be opportunities to get involved in all the other workshops.

We are seeking enthusiastic, energetic and committed individuals, with availability during:
Workshops dates:
June- August 2006.
Liverpool International Street Carnival.

This event delivers a wide range of carnival and street performance arts programmes with thirty local educational and community arts projects throughout North West region and collaborating with twenty five International streets
performance groups and working with seven national partners cities.
Liverpool International Street Carnival has become a model large scale community carnival project and is now the largest single community carnival in the UK comprising of 2000 costume wearers.

Please send a covering letter and CV by 26th May to info@sunshineiart.co.uk
For further information about SIA visit
www.sunshine-international-arts.co.uk

Counting down with just three weeks to go!!

The art06 agenda debate is now sold out so book your tickets for the art06 party now!!

art06, the third annual spotlight on the arts in the North West takes place in Preston throughout the day and evening of Thursday 8 June.

See the stunning Here + Now international visual arts programme with Jeppe Hein's spectacular open air fountain sculpture, Kutlug Ataman's Kuba installation, street performances by Horse and Bamboo, visit the art06 x.change to catch up with the latest from over 60 arts organisations, visit RIBA’s Architruk and the BBC’s Media Bus.

In the evening, there's music from Guest DJ Gavin Turk, buffet and bar with MC, actor, comedian and musician Mat Fraser plus the erotic, intimate performance of Pigeon Theatre at the glitzy art06 awards party. Discover who's won this year's £10,000 art06 awards - all for £15!

So book your places now at art06 online booking

Visit www.artscouncil.org.uk/art06 to find more information about:
art06 x.change and briefings – Victorian covered market and Preston Minster – free
art06 artists’ programme – free throughout the day in Preston City Centre.
art06 awards party – 53 Degrees, University of Central Lancashire – you’ll need to book your ticket for only £15

art06 is held in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency, supported by the BBC and Preston City Council.

For further information on events and news about art06, please visit www.artscouncil.org.uk/art06

Short Notice: Deadline: Tuesday 23rd May 2006, 11am.

Call for submissions for collaboration exhibition

Please circulate to anyone you think might be interested.

The Royal Standard is an exciting new artist run gallery, bar, and artists' workspace situated in an the former location of 'The Grapes' public house in Liverpool centre. We are opening the building on Thursday June 22nd with
an exhibition on the theme of collaboration, and are looking for further proposals for work around this idea.

As this is the first exhibition in the new space it is keenly anticipated and will attract a large audience. Work will be exhibited in a dedicated white-walled gallery space, and can overflow into a pub bar/social area with the
possibility of also using male/female toilets.

We will consider works using any media and will be particularly looking for qualities such as poignancy and light-heartedness underpinned by a rigorous and committed practice. Our aims for this exhibition are to create a fun and dynamic atmosphere of welcome and approachability, while underlining our aims to show the best emerging art in the uk and maintain our focus on excellence in production.

Works could range from performances in the bar, to video screenings, to photography, to small drawings or large paintings. All works must investigate the idea of 'working with other people' on some level.

Some artists production costs will be available, pending the receipt of funding.

Please send:
-an email/front page of application outlining your practice and the concept
for the proposed work (under 300 words)
-up to 5 images in total, relating to proposed work and previous works
-CV
-further page with any other information you feel is important (not a requirement)
Please make sure you outline any technical/space requirements.

Send to: theroyalstandard@skylight-projects.com

Or Address: 2 Grey St, off Windsor St, Liverpool L8 1XN

Deadline: Tuesday 23rd May 2006, 11am.
Exhibition opening: 22nd June (as the deadline is quite tight, please ensure that you will be available to make and send the proposed work in time/be free on the day to come over if applicable)

The Royal Standard is directed by: Paul Luckraft, Jim Buso, Sean Hawkridge and Eleanor Hawkridge (previous directors of Arena Gallery, Liverpool).

20-23 July, Manchester

Futuresonic, the electronic music and media arts festival, this year celebrates ten years at the forefront of its field.

The 2006 festival takes place over three days traversing music and the arts, involving multiple and often unusual spaces.

FACT’s ex-Director, Eddie Berg, is coming up to introduce Toshio Iwai’s key note lecture. Japanese wunderkind, Toshio Iwai also presents a UK-first live performance of the aptly-named TENORI-ON- Japanese for 'sound on your palm'.

I'm interested in the Manchester Soundmap project and sCrAmBlEd?HaCkZ! which allows you to speak into a microphone and hear and see an 80s pop star mimic your every word, in real time. Unique software analyses your voice and matches it to outtakes from a database of 80s music videos.

More details here

I promise not to fill up this blog with music listings but here's another one. This qualifies anyway because its 'sound based art' and its the launch of SoundNetwork...

Monatronic Live
Monatronic Present the SoundNetwork Launch Party

27th May 2006

Performances:
Live: Global Goon (J-Hawk, Rephlex, Audio Dregs)
Mark Pilkington (Thought Universe)
One Manned Mule (Monatronic)
Opiu Vs. Nunatak (Monatronic - decks,FX,bleeps, beeps and geeks)
Hive DJ’s (The Hive Collective)

Visuals: Father Francis Lo-Fi Visuals

Venue and Time:
Dragon Bar, Berry Street, Liverpool
Performers from 9pm -2am
Entrance Free

Monatronic are ushered to Liverpool to host the Sound Network launch party. A host of Monatronic artists are joined by electronical mega star Global Goon and some local favorites.

SoundNetwork
SoundNetwork is a network developed to sustain, advocate and support sound based art practice in the North West of England and beyond.

SoundNetwork have been organising events, generating new membership,workgroups, collaborative projects, exhibitions and web resources for it’s membership in Liverpool, Manchester and beyond. http://soundnetwork.omweb.org

Contact
E: info@monatronic.com
W: www.monatronic.com

Kinetic Fallacy are great. The Zanzibar, sadly, is the opposite but if you are braver than me go see them. I'll just stay here and watch the short videos on the website...

Kinetic Fallacy - Live film and music performance

Friday 26th May, Zanzibar Club, Seel St. Supporting Son of Dave.
Doors 8 pm, Kinetic Fallacy on 9:30.

Tickets £6 advance from Probe Records, Zanzibar Club, info@kineticfallacy.co.uk or Sam (07984 619 677)

see clips at www.kineticfallacy.co.uk/movies.html
find out more at www.myspace.com/kineticfallacy

Its the end of the 2005/6 season of films at this lovely Scandinavian Church (GUSTAV ADOLFS KYRKA) on Park Lane tomorrow.

The last film of the season, “Babette’s Feast”, on Monday the 22nd, doors open at 7pm when a feast of coffee and cake etc are on offer to purchase.

Monday, 22nd May @ 7.45pm

Babette’s Feast (Babettes gaestebud)
Gabriel Axel | Denmark | 1987 | 102 mins

On the Danish coast live Martina and Philipa, beautiful daughters of a devout clergyman who preaches salvation through self-denial. Both girls sacrifice youthful passion to faith and duty, until Babette, a mysterious refugee fleeing from the French civil war arrives in the village, where life for the sisters begins to change. . . especially when Babette invites them to a gourmet French meal, scandalising the local elders. . . .

The new season starts on September 21st, with the Ingmar Bergman film “Autumn Sonata”.

The complete programme for Season 2006/07 is underway, but not yet ready to publish. To keep yourself informed, please check the website nearer time www.lincinema.co.uk for details.

Photographer, Benjamin P Fenton has been added to the artists directory.
Benjamin produces unique wallhanging artwork for business and households, he has had a number of exhibitions in galleries, cafes and restaurants. Recently he has produced a limited edition greetings cards with his photographs on.

Prints and the cards are available from his website or by contacting him.
www.bpf-photography.co.uk