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Author: cap_benjamin

Art e-Facts 81: Susan Philpsz 2010 Turner Prize Winner and the Telford CAP Student:

Published December 10, 2010

Question: What’s the connection between 2010 Turner Prize winning Scottish Artist Susan Phillipsz and the HND Contemporary Art Practice course at Telford College?

Answer: 47 Film

In May this year Film 47 documented Phillpsz Prize winning work ‘Lowlands’. The final film was submitted to the Turner Art Committee for judgement ad there is little doubt that 47 Film’s film footage helped Susan secure her prize

At around the same time Filmogropher Andy Cameron of 47 Film, was working closely with Art & Design student Natalie Doyle on the recording of Natalies’ Final Major Project work of her Foundation Course here at Telford College. Natalies’  movie focuses on social relationships through the Internet and how identity is built up through that medium. CAP Alumni Lauren McLaughlin and Gordon Douglas also appear within the film.

The following is a short documentary about the film:

Andy Cameron works freelance in and around Scotland and has worked for the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Glasgow International Arts Festival and has been published on several high profile websites.

For further information email 47 film at:

andy@47film.com
47film@googlemail.com

Telford College Partner in The Big Arts Give Christmas Challenge 2010

Published December 8, 2010

Telford College and Contemporary Art Practice partner Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop (ESW) is one of only six Scottish charities selected to participate in the Big Arts Give Christmas Challenge, UK-wide campaign supported by the Scottish Government and Arts & Business which aims to raise £3m in total by increasing the incentives for supporting the arts.

Until Friday 31 December, all donations made through the Big Arts Give website will help ESW raise funds for the New Sculpture Centre

The Big Idea

To create a purpose-built sculpture centre in Edinburgh providing the facilities and services needed by artists to support them at all stages in their careers and to provide a valuable public resource which will enable people of all ages and ability to learn about contemporary sculpture.

ContemporaryArtETC.. has a long standing and highly productive partnership with ESW allowing our learners to produce and exhibit work in a professional, supportive and highly respected organisation. The new purpose built sculpture centre, the only one of its kind in the UK, will allow us to take the partnership to to a new level and we need your help to make it happen and secure this exciting future.

A limited number of donations and match funded and all money raised will go towards the cost of building the new sculpture centre.

If you would like to support Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop please make your donation through the Big Arts Give website by following the link below:

Big Arts Give Christmas Challenge

ContemporaryArtETC.com Relaunched!

Published December 7, 2010

Hello and welcome back to the new look HND Contemporary Art Practice course Blog; localhost:10076/

As we reach our 3rd year anniversary and our 200,000th hit the team felt that the blog was in need of a nip here and a tuck there. As a result regular visitors will notice a number of changes to the overall look and feel of the site.

The new design / theme features a  two-level navigation system with drop-down menus. The first level features navigation through the separate pages featured on the site many of which have been updated including the Alumni, Gallery and Course Information pages.The second level allows you to search posting by their various categories which have also been updated and streamlined making posts and subjects easier to find.

So, we hope you all enjoy the new look site and that you will continue to come back time and again for the latest art e-facts,  art e-maps, news, views and reviews.

A special thanks must go  to Alumni member and Guest Lecturer Ben Fallon for designing the wonderful new header for the site.

Best wishes to all.

The CAP team

Edinburgh’s Telford College launches Artist In Residence Programme

Published November 25, 2010

The Art & Design Team at Edinburgh’s Telford College are delighted to launch an innovative Artist in Residence programme with the announcement of our first participant, Stephanie Cairns.

The Artist in Residence programme (AIRetc…) is an innovative scheme which provides recently graduated / professional artist and designers with a dedicated studio space within the Art & Design dept as well as access to specialist resources and facilities.

Stephanie, a former student on the Art & Design Foundation and HND courses here at Telford, graduated in July from Edinburgh College of Arts Sculpture School with 1st Class Honours and will start her 12 week residency with us immediately. As well as giving Stephanie the opportunity to interact with learners in the studios she will also develop a new body of work for an up coming show at the National Gallery of Modern Art in January.

Talking about the opportunity Stephanie said “I am delighted to have been invited to be  Telfords first ever Artist In Residence and I am looking forward to the opportunity to  develop and share my work and practice in a creative and supportive environment.

The motivational and inspirational tutoring I received at Telford while studying instilled a strong work ethic, which allowed me to achieve my goals, and I hope that my time here will help do the same for others.”

Although such schemes already exist at primary, secondary and HE education levels this is the first of its kind in the Scottish FE sector and will allow learners and lecturers alike to observe and interact with current practioners.

Art & Design Curriculum Manager, Colette Woods, said: “This is a very exciting development for the team and our learners. It will provide an opportunity for learners to have direct access to and contact with professional contemporary practitioners who are developing new bodies of work as well as offering recent graduates the chance to gain valuable experience of working in a dynamic, professional learning and teaching environment.”

The AIRetc… programme is open to practicing Artists who have previously studied Art & Design at Edinburgh’s Telford College. The selection and support of the artists in residence will be undertaken by the AIRetc.. committee which is made up of a cross section of staff from the Art & Design team.

As part of the programme AIR participants will publish regular blog postings at www.airetc.wordpress.com.

Embassy Gallery Presents: New one off performance devised by Alex Hetherington.

Published October 29, 2010

Linda Levez Vos Elfriede Skinny Rosemarie Fists Jelinek Comme Antennas Trockel to Fratianne Heaven

To celebrate the end of his solo show ‘Levez Vos Skinny Fists Comme Antennas To Heaven’ at the Embassy we are presenting a new one off performance devised by Alex Hetherington.

Rebecca Green and Chris McCann as Mr. And Mrs. Dempsey
…
A collective response to both his Embassy installation and his recent film – Linda Fratianne – made for the CCA. Using improvisation and a series of spoken set texts it creates a bridge between disparate and abrasive forms that explore conventions of performance, the object, glamour, failure, combat, spectacle, defeat and scripted behaviour.

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The Embassy will be open until 7pm on the 31st to give you a final chance to see the show. After the performance we will be heading downstairs to the ROXY Bar for a few Hallowe’en drinks.

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This performance is part of the ROXY’s death weekend a celebration of death taking place over the Hallowe’en weekend with various events check www.roxyarthouse.org for details

Telford’s Partners, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop Receives £3m Arts Investment

Published October 27, 2010
Edinburgh’s Telford College’s are delighted to hear that its partners at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop have heard yesterday, 26 October 2010, that they have won a £3M Arts Funding Prize from the Scottish Community Foundation.

The anonymous donor funding the prize has given the Scottish Community Foundation – a charity that specialises in supporting philanthropic giving – the green light to award £3M to the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop to create a world class research and production facility at its Newhaven site.

Telford’s Fine Art Curriculum Leader and Board Member of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Alan Holligan said:
“Edinburgh’s Telford College has had a long relationship with the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop so we are therefore delighted to hear of this generous investment to develop in north Edinburgh a state-of-the-art sculpture centre. There is nothing like this currently anywhere else in the UK and it will give our learners the opportunity to continue to develop their industry knowledge and skills in a creative environment alongside professional artists and creative and cultural entrepreneurs.”
The Creative Laboratories will provide a mix of indoor and open-air workspaces around a central courtyard. Together with the sculpture centre, the Laboratories will create a vibrant cultural hub of benefit to the whole city. The addition of viewing areas and a café will open up the space to visitors. The primary purpose of the competition was to fund a building of exceptional architectural and cultural merit within the City of Edinburgh, which will enable residents and visitors to the city to experience or participate in the arts.
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s Creative Laboratories beat off stiff competition for the prize from the Scottish Book Trust and Edinburgh College of Art. Designed by Sutherland Hussey Architects, the Creative Laboratories will be a unique new building situated alongside Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s new £5m sculpture centre.
Director of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Irene Kernan, said:
“This is an amazing opportunity for Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop which will enable us to fulfill our ambitions to create a world class sculpture centre in the city. The Arts Funding Prize represents a major investment in future generations of artists and will be a major resource for our local community in Newhaven as well as the city as a whole.
“The partnerships Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop has with Telford has been hugely successful and the Creative Laboratories will now allow us to expand our partnership and to further develop interdisciplinary practices and provide graduates with the stepping stones to a career in the arts.”
Professor Bill Scott Chair of the Board of Directors at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop said:
“The working partnership with Telford and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop demonstrates collaboration at its best – Edinburgh’s Telford College was the first college to really connect with Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and the development now of the Creative Laboratories will offer huge learning experiences to students.”
Chair of the Judging Panel, Bob Benson said:
“The panel felt Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s proposal offered the most inspiring combination of exciting architecture and cultural impact. Its Newhaven location will expand the artistic geography of the city, and create a unique cultural venue in this part of Edinburgh.
“Along with offering our wholehearted congratulations to the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, the panel would also like to commend the Scottish Community Foundation for the smooth running of this award. It ensured the best projects were put forward for this prize and enabled the donor to make a high profile contribution to Edinburgh’s cultural landscape while preserving their anonymity.”
The Centre is expected to open in 2013.
www.edinburghsculpture.org
www.scottishcf.org
www.ed-coll.ac.uk

State of Play: art and culture in Scotland today

Published October 5, 2010

Saturday 9 October 2010, 9.15am–5pm

AHM (Sam Ainsley, David Harding and Sandy Moffat) present State of Play: Art and Culture in Scotland Today. The first of three one day symposia to be delivered over two years in different locations across Scotland. Organised as part of their Research Residency at Glasgow Sculpture Studios. Keynote speakers are Christine Borland, Dr. Neil Mulholland, Prof. Philip Schlesinger and AHM Chaired by David Harding

The symposium will begin with a dynamic 30 minute performance of spoken one minute personal manifestos by a wide range of artists that include Ruth Barker, Justin Carter, Dalziel & Scullion, Ellie Harrison, Nicola Atkinson, Peter McCaughey and Shauna McMullan.

Gilmorehill Centre University of Glasgow 9 University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ

Tickets: £10, Concessions £5

For more information on this event please visit http://theahmblog.blogspot.com/

To book a place please contact Glasgow Sculpture Studios on 0141 204 1740 or via info@glasgowsculpturestudios.org www.glasgowsculpturestudios.org

The joy of blogs with Gordon Douglas

Published September 24, 2010

The following video was made by recent ContemporaryArtETC… graduate Gordon Douglas. Gordon started blogging along with his colleagues  on the course 2 years ago and has become an avid user of social media to document and reflect on his activity. Don’t take our word for though, click on the video and Gordon will tell you himself.

Thanks Gordon!

The Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary 2010-11 open for entries.

Published September 15, 2010

The bursary, now in its fourth year, is available to mid-career disabled or deaf artists working in the field of visual arts. This year’s winner will be given £5,000 and a residency at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. The bursary has firmly established itself as one of the most significant commissioning opportunities for disabled artists in the UK.

Applications are welcomed both from artists who work in a disability or deaf arts context, and from those whose work is not focused on their disability. Email: armb@shapearts.org.uk

The deadline for entries for the competition is Monday 18 October at 10am. For information on how to apply, please visit our website www.shapearts.org.uk.

The annual bursary was set-up in memory of Adam Reynolds, to provide time, space and support for artists to develop their ideas without the pressure to deliver a particular outcome develop their ideas without the pressure to deliver a particular outcome. Adam Reynolds (1959-2005) was a sculptor, curator, teacher and arts advisor. Adam was active in the disability arts sector and generous in his support for other artists, the bursary is offered in the same spirit in which Adam lived and worked. World-renowned sculptor, Antony Gormley is patron of the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary. Gormley says, “Adam was inspirational as an artist and a man – seeing his disability as a strength. This bursary is the most practical and powerful way to continue doing what Adam did to make the possible palpable.

” The Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary 2010-11 is made possible by The Garfield Weston Foundation.

Telford graduate selected for Embassy graduate exhibition.

Published September 13, 2010

Opening this weekend at Embassy Gallery ‘Meat Force’ features selected and specially commissioned work of artists who have graduated from the the four Scottish art colleges. This years exhibition, selected by the Embassy committee, features the work of former student Hayley Mathers. Hayley, who was  featured on this site earlier this year, (see Graduate Profiles ETC…) graduated from the Fine Art dept at Edinburgh’s Telford having studied for 2 years on the HND programme.

“My time at Telford provided me with an excellent background in contemporary art which was invaluable in helping me succeed at art college. As well as meeting a great group of people, the HND course built up my confidence and gave me the skills to develop my practice independently and get the most out of my degree.”

Hayley progressed directly into year 2 of the Fine Art Degree course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee where she gained a 1st Class Honours Degree.

Meat Force opens this Friday  7pm – 9pm at EMBASSY

located in the tower of the Roxy Art House, 2 Roxburgh Pl, Edinburgh, EH8 9SU

The Exhibition runs:

18.09.10 – 03.10.10
open Thursday – Sunday 12-6pm

Art e-Facts 80: David Shrigley, An important message about the arts.

Published September 10, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6rYDaORe3k

Glasgow based artist David Shrigley has made a short animated film in support of the ‘Save the Arts’ campaign.

The Save the Arts campaign is organised by the London branch of the Turning Point Network, a national consortium of over 2,000 arts organisations and artists dedicated to working together and finding new ways to support the arts in the UK.

The aim of the Save the Arts campaign is to encourage people to sign a petition which will be sent to the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. It points out that it has taken 50 years to create a vibrant arts culture in Britain that is the envy of the world and appeals to the government not to slash arts funding and risk destroying this long-term achievement and the social and economic benefits it brings to all. Source: http://savethearts-uk.blogspot.com/

Find out more, and sign the petition, at savethearts.org.uk


Art e-Facts 79: Victor Pasmore, The Apollo Pavilion, Peterlee.

Published August 22, 2010

Victor Pasmores Apollo Pavilion is a reinforced concerete homage to the Apollo moon landing in 1969. The structure spans a small man made lake connecting the two halves of the Sunny Blunts estate in Peterlee, County Durham. Between 1955 and the 1970’s Pasmore was Consulting Director of Urban Design for the Peterlee Development Corporation, collaborating with architects Peter Daniel & Franc Dixon he contributed to the towns spatial arrangements, road system and open spaces as well as the distinctive aesthetic of the housing.

During the 1980’s the Pavilion fell into dis-repair due to lack of funds and became the focus of vandilism and anti-social behaviour. Despite this and in the face of significant critism, Pasmore remained committed to the structure defending it at a public meeting in 1982. In 2009 the Pavilion underwent major restoration including the rebuilding of the stair providing access to the upper level, refurbishment of the light system and restoration of Pasmores original Mural.

www.apollopavilion.info

Budget cuts would devastate the arts, warn theatre and gallery directors: The Guardian

Published July 18, 2010

Job losses, widespread closures and damage to audiences and Britain’s reputation would follow, say leading figures

Leading figures in the art world have pleaded yesterday with the government “cut us but don’t kill us” and warned of dire consequences for audiences at home and Britain’s reputation abroad if threatened cuts of 25% are pushed through.

The Arts Council has warned that such cuts over the next four years would mean dropping at least 200 arts organisations out of more than 800 they fund, with the loss of thousands of jobs.

Read the rest of this article from the Guardian here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/jul/15/arts-cuts-budget-letter


This article was published on guardian.co.uk at 13.46 BST on Thursday 15 July 2010. A version appeared on p11 of the Main section section of the Guardian on Friday 16 July 2010. It was last modified at 17.25 BST on Thursday 15 July 2010.

In an era of austerity, reasons to fund the arts: Article from The Art Newspaper

Published July 16, 2010
Culture is a social language that we would be dumb without
It is 70 years since a British government last had to take the arts seriously. In December 1939, in a world darkened by war, winter and blackout, a small group of civil servants and educators met to discuss the crisis in the arts. Great museums and galleries were empty, their contents packed off to safety from bombing. The theatres were shut, orchestras about to disband. The committee agreed that it was essential “to show publicly and unmistakably that the Government cares about the cultural life of the country. This country is supposed to be fighting for civilisation.”

The rest of this article can be read by clicking here: The Art Newspaper

The writer is professor of cultural policy and leadership studies at City University London

Graduate Profiles ETC…. Hayley Mathers

Published June 16, 2010

It’s Degree Show time again and as always we will doing our best to get round as many shows as possible. This year started with Duncan of Jordanstone (DoJ) College of Art in Dundee where the stand out presentation was by Hayley Mathers. Understandably, we could be accused of bias as Hayley happens to have graduated from the ETC HND in 2007, however media coverage of the shows (see links below) and a 1st Class Honours degree appear to confirm our judgement.

Hayley’s work in the show is thoughtful, well crafted and mature. Her installation brings together a collection of drawn, sculptural and photographic offerings in a series of articulate connections between topics, people and conversations within media.

“The materials that I use in my installations reflect my method of research, which is entirely third hand; from documentaries, film and Internet research (which may be inaccurate). The works I have shown at my degree show intend to present elements of this research and reference their surroundings, bringing together my interest in these topics and a contemporary perspective.”

Hayley joined the HND course at Edinburgh’s Telford College in 2005 directly from high school and made an immediate impact with her considered and energetic approach. She quickly grew in confidence and in 2007 she gained direct entry in to year 2 (Level eight) at DoJ.

“My time at Telford provided me with an excellent background in contemporary art which was invaluable in helping me succeed at art college. As well as meeting a great group of people, the HND course built up my confidence and gave me the skills to develop my practice independently and get the most out of my degree.”

Hayley takes up a post at the National Galleries of Scotland later this month and intends to continue the development of her art practice. We look forward to the results.

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/features/Art-preview-The-degree-show.6329461.jp

http://cruxof.it/2010/06/01/hayleymathers/

Cabin Fever: 2010 Diploma Show

Published June 7, 2010

The opening night of this years HND Contemporary Art Diploma Exhibition ‘Cabin Fever’ was very well attended as always and the work was up to the usual excellent standards.

This years graduates will be going on to take up places on year 2 & 3 degree courses at;

  • Edinburgh College of Art (Drawing & Painting, Sculpture)
  • Glasgow School of Art (Sculpture & Environmental Art)
  • Duncan of Jordanstone Collage of Art (Fine Art)
  • Central St Martins College of Art & Design (Fine Art)
  • Cumbria Univesity (Fine Art)

Congratulations and well done to all!

Louise Bourgeois 1911 – 2010

Published June 7, 2010

 

In a career spanning more than six decades, the work of Louise Bourgeois encompassed the fields of sculpture and installation, painting, drawing, prints and illustrated books, which have been influenced strongly by autobiographical and psychological experiences as well as Surrealism. Born, Paris in 1911, Louise Bourgeois studied at various art schools and assisted in the tapestry restoration business of her father where she made drawings for restorations. With her husband, an art historian specializing in tribal arts, she moved to New York in 1938 and continued her studies at the Arts Students’ League in New York, before developing her complex and unique artistic work.

Lousie Bourgeois died of a heart attack on may 31st 2010 aged 98. She is survived by her two sons.

http://www.galeriepieceunique.com/infoframes/bourgeois.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/may/31/louise-bourgeois-obituary-art

FOR INFORMATION ON FINE ART COURSES IN EDINBURGH PLEASE CLICK HERE

Cabin Fever Opening this Friday.

Published May 24, 2010

HND Contemporary Art Practice Diploma Exhibition CABIN FEVER opens this Friday the 28th May at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.

After 9 months locked in the CAP Cabin the graduating students of this innovative fine art course will present their individual take on the world they inhabit from minimal abstraction to site specific installation the work.

Full details can be found on the poster below:

Berlin Day 2

Published March 25, 2010

After such a long, tiring first day it may have seemed to much to ask for everyone to be up and raring to go by 9am, but up everyone was, even if not altogether awake. So far the most inconvenient if not altogether tiresome aspect of the trip is getting tickets for the trains and trams. The problem is compounded by 2 of the 4 machines in the local station being broken and trhe 3rd not accepting notes. 23 brits paying one at a time does not make for happy locals already late for work. Several missed trains later it was off to Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum fur Gegenwart (Modern Art) Berlin.

As always this made a big impression on the first time visitors. Top tip here is to e-mail or phone ahead and book in as a student group as this exempts the whole group from entrance fees. The main spaces of the museum present an exhibition which uses thematic and surprising dialogues and individual appearances rich in associations to cast works from the Nationalgalerie, the Marx and Marzona Collections as well as the Friedrich Christian Flick Collection.

Highlights included: Rodney Grahams “Torqued Chandelier” 2004. Richard Artschwager’s “Archipeligo”, Robert Kusmirowskis, full scale paper train “Wagon” and “Un jardin d’hiver” by Marcel Broodthaers.

A certain amount of persuasion was required to get everyone out and of to the architecturally stunning Berlin Hauptbahnhoff for a “traditional” German transit lunch.

BK Whoppers don’t take long to scoff so within the hour we were on the rain to Zoo Station on hopping on a bus tour of the city, a little cheesy perhaps but a great way to see the city. All the main sites and history were covered a rather witty tour guide. On return to Zoo the students were left to their own devices and it was off shopping to Ka De We followed by a rather splendid dinner at Café Einstein.