08 / 06 / 2009

Exhibition, News / Posted by Rich

We didn’t get the Ironbridge commission. I think we were a little too ambitious. But never mind, it was a good experience. I’ve never had to do a ‘pitch’ before.

27 / 05 / 2009

Exhibition, News / Posted by Rich

In partnership with artist and curator Trevor Pitt we’ve been shortlisted for a public art project in Ironbridge, Telford.

From our proposal:
‘Our proposal is to construct a sculpture downstream from the historic bridge that will attract and provoke visitors to consider the dynamic relationship between the bridge, the natural force of the river Severn and the 300th anniversary of the World Heritage site. Our concept is to use the architectural form of the bridge, the flow of the river and 300 ribbons attached to a series of floating objects to create a simple yet striking structural form that can be viewed by visitors from a variety of locations.

‘The initial approach consists of a slim arch spanning the river which will be sited up to 100 meters downstream from the bridge. The arch will be the same size as the arch of the bridge. 300 ribbons or strips will be attached at regular intervals to the arch. These ribbons will be a rusty orange colour - both to stand out, and refer to the oxidising nature of iron.

‘At the end of each ribbon (or groupings of ribbons) will be a floating object that has been either found in and around the river or inspired by information gathered during the research phase. These objects will then be turned into small floating sculptures during workshop sessions. The objects will be tethered in a line from one bank to the other and as the flow of the river pulls the objects downstream the ribbons will be pulled taught by the current and the form will be created. In the evening the ribbons will be illuminated by spot lights from both banks, causing them to flicker and ripple as they move.’

I present the proposal on the 5 June. Fingers crossed.

19 / 05 / 2009

Exhibition, News / Posted by Rich

I’ve been shortlisted for the ‘Floor Plan’ exhibition at Phoenix in Brighton.

05 / 05 / 2009

Exhibition, News, Residency / Posted by Rich

Exhibition news: I’ll be building a new work in Belfast in June as part of the Capitalyst Festival, run by Catalyst Arts.
I’ll be one of a small number of artists in residence for a short while, developing and building work in sites around the city centre.

28 / 02 / 2009

Art crime, News / Posted by Rich

From the Manifesto Club along with Manick Govinda of Arts Admin, The Showroom and Afterall among others.

To:  UK Parliament

The UK Home Office has introduced new bureaucratic procedures for organisations that wish to invite non-EU artists and academics to the UK. As professionals committed to the principles of internationalism and cultural exchange, we are dismayed by these new regulations - which will curb our invitations to non-EU artists and academics to visit the UK for talks, artist residencies, conferences and temporary exhibitions.

The system is costly to both the host organisation and to the visitor, and has already meant a number of cancelled exhibitions and concerts. All non-EU visitors now must apply for a visa in person, and supply biometric data, electronic fingerprint scans and a digital photograph. The Home Office’s 158-page guideline document also outlines new controls over visitors’ day-to-day activity: visitors must show that they have at least £800 pounds of personal savings, which have been held for at least three months prior to the date of their application; the host organisation must keep copies of the visitor’s passport and their UK Biometric Card, and a history of their contact details; and if the visitor does not turn up to their studio or place of work, or their whereabouts is unknown, the organisation is legally obliged to inform the UK Border Agency.

We, the undersigned, believe that these Home Office restrictions discriminate against our overseas colleagues on the grounds of their nationality and financial resources, and will be particularly detrimental to artists from developing countries, and those with low income. Such restrictions will damage the vital contribution made by global artists and scholars to cultural, intellectual and civic life in the UK.

Sincerely,

(sign here)