The Bluecoat reopened on Friday 23rd May – Hurrah!
Reopening after a temporary closure following a fire,
with an exciting programme of exhibitions, talks and
live performances for the Bank Holiday weekend.
New Exhibition: Variable Capital (23 May – 29 June)
A new exhibition featuring work by Andy Warhol, Edward Burtynsky, Common Culture, Alexander Gerdel, Richard Hughes, Melanie Jackson, Louise Lawler, Hans Op de Beeck, Wang Qingsong, Julian Rosefeldt, Santiago Sierra, Larry Sultan and Brian Ulrich. As a regenerated Liverpool enjoys its status as European Capital of Culture and anticipates the opening of Europe’s largest retail development, Variable Capital presents a timely comment on today’s consumer culture. Organised by artists David Campbell and Mark Durden (who work collaboratively as Common Culture), the exhibition presents international artists’ critical and often humorous responses to how we produce goods and spend money.
Performance: Wiley (Friday 23 May)
Wiley whose latest single ‘Wearing My Rolex’ is at number 5 in the UK charts, will reopen the performance space with a masterclass in Grime. Heralded as one of the most innovative producers in British electronic music, Wiley has had a hand in the careers of nearly every act to come through the grime scene, most notably Roll Deep and Dizzee Rascal. Wiley is joined by one of his protégés, North London’s Chipmunk. With recent Radio 1 airplay, including a live session for Tim Westwood, Chipmunk’s rise has been meteoric.
In Conversation: Howard Marks and Harry the Polis (Saturday 24 May)
Howard Marks, who owned 25 money laundering operations to support his international dope dealing, has one of the UK’s best-selling autobiographies. Writer and stand-up storyteller Harry Morris saw it all in his 30 years with Strathclyde Police.
New Commission: Susannah Hewlett (Wednesday 28 May)
A special commission by live artist Susannah Hewlett who has created characters, installations and sound works for a wry celebration of the Saturday night game-show. A late night opening of the gallery until 10.00pm and special drinks promotions (Bottles of Grolsch £1.50) makes this a perfect opportunity to celebrate the opening of Variable Capital.
Alastair Upton, Chief Executive at the Bluecoat comments: “We are thrilled to be reopening after just ten days of closure and in time for such a fantastic weekend of events. Since the fire on the morning of Tuesday 13 May, staff at the Bluecoat have been pulling out the stops to get the building up and running and open to the public once again. Having worked in the midst of a construction site for three years, the Bluecoat’s team are used to working in difficult conditions but I would like to thank them all for their incredible show of team spirit, for their hard work and resilience in challenging circumstances.”
The Bluecoat’s creative industry and artist occupiers start to move back into their spaces today. Paul Corcoran, Director of Agent Marketing who occupies office space at the Bluecoat comments, ‘We are so happy to be back in the building and to hear the news that the public will be back in by the end of the week. It has obviously been a difficult week without access to our space but as occupiers of the building we just wanted to support the Bluecoat team in their efforts. It’s been incredible how quickly they have managed to make the building safe, secure and comfortable.’
The three retail units in the courtyard Landbaby, Purlesque and Bob Porter will reopen on Friday.
Espresso will produce daily special salads, high quality afternoon teas with finger sandwiches, mini cakes and scones and will be serving drinks that can be enjoyed in the Garden. The re-opening on Friday will not include the restaurant bar, Upstairs at the Bluecoat, located on the first floor of the building.
Upstairs at the Bluecoat will reopen once restoration of the building and kitchen is complete. The timescale for this is still being assessed. The partial reopening of the building includes the espresso bar in the ground floor hub offering visitors a range of drinks, homemade sandwiches and cakes.
To book tickets for events visit www.thebluecoat.org.uk or call Tickets and Information on 0151 702 5324