27 May 2010
Cutting Light
29th May – 19th June 2010
Queen’s Gallery,
160 Nethergate,
Dundee, DD1 4DU
A solo exhibition of new work by glass artist Jessamy Kelly will open at the prestigious Queen’s Gallery, in Dundee in May 2010. The material quality of glass and its reaction to light intrigues glass artist Jessamy Kelly; she harnesses the light in her work by cutting away the glass to reveal the inherent luminosity if the material. Minimal amounts of cutting and engraving are used to shape her sculptural work. Jessamy’s work shows balance, precision and great delicacy. Jessamy has recently completed her PhD in Glass and Ceramics at the University of Sunderland and is currently Artists in Residence at Edinburgh College of Art. Her work has been exhibited widely throughout the UK as well as internationally in France, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and the United States. She has won many awards including the Craft and Design Magazine Maker of the Year Award in 2009.
This exhibition is part of the new national initiative Craft Festival Scotland conceived by the Past Present and Future Craft Practice researchers at the University of Dundee.
05 May 2010
Chicks on Speed - come to Scotland!
Chicks on Speed:
5 June – 8 August
Press view: Friday 4 June
This is the first major solo exhibition in the UK of Chicks on Speed; an ever-changing multidisciplinary art group who apply punk-inspired DIY ethic to interrogate the boundaries of art, craft, fashion, music and new media.
Known globally for their melting-pot-style – encompassing cutting-edge pop music, performance art, a record label, collage graphics, painting and DIY fashion. Chick’s on Speed’s practice is chaotic and firmly against sedative art. With their tongues firmly in their cheeks, they are happy to court controversy.
The exhibition will open with a live art performance for invited guests on 4 June; featuring the ‘e-shoe’ – the world’s first wireless high-heeled shoe guitar, made in collaboration with Siberian-born shoe designer Max Kibardin and Hangar.org. These shoes will be unveiled alongside Chicks on Speed’s ever-growing collection of self made ‘objekt instruments’ – cigar-box synthesizers, super suits with sewn-in body sensors that trigger audio/video samples and two hats made in collaboration with Christophe Coppins and Hangar.org, based on illuminated drawings of Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th century Christian mystic who received visions, composed ethereal airs, performed healings and even founded convents. These hats transmit the utterances of their wearers by way of microphones and speakers.
The DCA galleries will be further transformed into a giant stage and studio set for making music videos, experimenting with no-choreography and ongoing craft projects live, including loom-weaving inspired by Bauhaus design, lectures and workshops, film screenings of their fashion archive and selected video pieces. Chicks on Speed have been working with local and international artists and makers to combine traditional craft with cutting-edge technology.
Further highlights include a Theremin tapestry based on theremin technology, woven by The Victorian Tapestry Workshop, Australia, with hardware from Andre Smirnov @ the Theremin Institute in Moscow in conjunction with hangar.org. A series of print based artworks produced with the DCA print studio and Fashion Archive.
Judith Winter, curator of the exhibition said:
““DCA are interested in working with artists that challenge the institution and the context of the gallery. Chicks on Speed’s practice blurs the boundaries between creative disciplines but much more than that - their work counters political correctness and employs a range of feminist strategies that support creative radicalism. I wanted to see if we could also hint at some of the connections in their practice to the history of interdisciplinary practice.
“Many of our early discussions were around the Bauhaus and in particular Oskar Schlemmer performance of the Triaddich Ballet. Conversation soon transgressed to the status and visibility of women within the Bauhaus - on to activism and early modernist performance through to conversations around the political actions of Valie Export in the 1960s.
“Anyone who is also interested in fashion or wanting an anecdote to global consumption should enjoy some element of the show. We are looking forward to the unexpected!”
To coincide with the exhibition DCA are co-producing a book with Booth-Clibborn Editions that will be launched in September 2010. There will also be a series of events, films and workshops surrounding the exhibition. For further information visit www.dca.org.uk
Chicks on Speed: Don’t Art, Fashion Music is part of Craft Festival Scotland.
Gallery opening times: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am - 5.30pm, Sunday noon – 5.30pm. Closed Monday except Dundee Public Holidays. Entry to the galleries is free. Tel: 01382 900 900.
Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DY
For more information, interviews and images please contact:
Teri Laing, Head of Marketing
Teri.laing@dca.org.ukTel: 01382 909241
Craft Australia
In the May 2010 issue of CA enews there is a contemporary jewellery focus and roundup of the JMGA conference held in Perth Western Australia 2010:
Craft Australia publishes a free online news letter, CA enews every month http://www.craftaustralia.org.au/enews/
The subscription to CA enews is free and I would like to invite you and JMGA members to. Subscribe at: http://www.craftaustralia.org.au/subscribe/
There is also an archive link to previous newsletters:
http://www.craftaustralia.org.au/newsroom/newsletter.php?id=index
Craft Australia is celebrating its 40year anniversary in 2010 and as part of the celebration has set up a flickr page to showcase Australian studio craft and design. They are continually uploading images to this site and a number jewellery and object images has been uploaded with many more to come.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftaustralia/
The Craft Australia calendar promotes contemporary craft and design through exhibitions, workshops, opportunities, conferences and trade fairs. They have listed a number of contemporary jewellry and object exhibitions and opportunities in the online calendars. http://craftaustralia.org.au/calendars/about
01 May 2010
Handmade Nation, directed by Faythe Levine comes to Scotland
Wednesday 9 June 8 p.m.
Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee, Scotland
Handmade Nation documents a movement of artists, crafters and designers that recognise the marriage between historical techniques, punk and DIY ethos while being influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. Fuelled by the common thread of creating, Handmade Nation explores a burgeoning art community that is based on creativity, determination and networking.
In 2006 first-time director Faythe Levine travelled to 15 cities, interviewing 80 individuals. Levine captured the virtually tight-knit community that exists through websites, blogs and online stores and connects to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs. Interviews were also conducted in artist studios and homes of the featured makers. Faythe Levine will introduce the screening and participate in Q&A session afterwards. The event is part of the Prototype Symposium, co-convened by Duncan of Jordanstone College of ARt & Design and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which is taking place June 10-11th in Dundee. BOOK NOW: www.dca.org.uk/whats-on/films/handmade-nation.html
Stitched Up
If you’ve never been to a Friday Night Late event at the V&A, make a date in the diary! They are held on the last Friday in every calendar month. My experience is they are full of energy and fantastic fun! Last night’s ‘Stitched Up’ was no exception. Organised to coincide with ‘Quilts 1700-2010’ exhibition, curated by Sue Prichard, the evening was buzzing with activity. There were 15 activity options, catering for a range of tastes. Occurring inside the building and outside in the gardens, the event ranged from an alternative garden tea party to craft activities with both emerging and established practitioners.
I began by engaging in The Stitch Surgery supported by Coats Crafts and volunteers of The Quilters’ Guild. A fantastic little ‘how to patchwork kit’ was provided from which you were encouraged to take a seat and get making! My attempts to follow the instructions in the pack were made easier by the encouraging chatter from fellow ‘stitchers’ perched beside me in the Grand Entrance and, the 1950s jazz music being played in the background. (To give an indication of how successful the surgery event was, I understand 1000 packs had been prepared, and by 7 p.m. only 30 minutes after the evening had started, all of them were gone! By any event organiser’s standards, that’s impressive.)
Following this, I took myself off to the Lecture Theatre where ‘Domesticity and Creativity’ in craft were being re-evaluated. A round table discussion with Sue Prichard, textile artist Caren Garfen, (creator of ‘How many times to I have to repeat myself ‘ which was commissioned for the exhibition) and Janice Langley, Trustee of the Women’s Institute (WI) was the means with which this subject was aired. The focus was given to why investment in the home is a way of redressing the work/life imbalance fuelled by contemporary technology. In essence the talk asked, Is taking time out a luxury or necessity? What value does it offer?
The view and discussion of craft, at times appeared to be at odds with my recent research, which focused on understanding craft as an intellectual rather than skill based activity. However, the emphasis on learning new skills via communities to support self-sufficiency (especially in the home) and social networking is an integral aspect of the craft continuum. Indeed, the presentation by the WI who proffered their contemporary tagline (or role) as Inspiring Women was fascinating.
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