ARTISTS TALKING

# 13 [29 August 2007]

Chris Simcox-airspace studio artist

 Some things that Chris has been up to...

Architecture week "A Fuller Space"

This was an event that intended to demonstrate the need within town centres for use of space to be explored in different ways, whether it be shelters or some kind of seating area. To capture people's imagination about public space and the surrounding architecture and to open up other possiblities or ways of seeing the surrounding urban landscape. The project started by putting together Architects, engineers, Artists with a local youth group and to come up with ideas through the use of workshops and events to inspire the young group to come up with their own ideas and to actively engage with the project. After some plane sailing, and the scenario of getting to know who you are working with! We arranged a time table and a brief to work from, the first day we came together as a group to come up with some funny, fantastical and sometimes crazy ideas. As the weeks went by we all came up with the idea of a "chill out" space, based upon the shape of a football.. So it was the professional's turn to make the idea a reality, realizing we should make the architect on our team work and show his skills of design. The next stage was to construct the shape using a 'geo-dome' which is made up of pentagons, and hexagons. Some serious late nights followed using in the 'airspace' studios to build it. Using the dome we collaborated with the youth group to come up with some panels to attach upon the surface, different materials such as steel, grass, and clay to add an interactive element to the project. On the day we were unfortunate to have the worst summer's day you can imagine, but the work was brilliantly successful and the youth group certainly made it their own.

Harlech Bienale  "Uncommon Ground" Five day residency involving artists from all over the world including Argentina, Spain, Israel and even England. The project was to have studio based artists who normally work and live in vibrant cities (Stoke-on-Trent)?? To come to Harlech which is an incredibly beautiful landscape of tree's, Mountains, Sand and sea to produce work and to place it in and around the landscape. My own perpective on this was to use and pick out the vast natural colour of Harlech and the surrounding landscape. I began by gathering scrap wood from which i could cut out circular shapes, and paint them with the intension of capturing colour and light to expose the natural beauty of the landscape.

# 12 [29 August 2007]

Window Projects

The window of Number 4 Broad Street has become a taster for artists to show their work to the passers by of Hanley City Centre.

Past work includes the fading memories of Katie Shipley's ‘A Place to Forget (5)', 35mm slides encased in wax that melted through the sunny days of April and revealed the forgotten memories within. And Anna Francis' iconic image of the partly torn down ‘Terrace', which pays homage to the buildings that hold history for many people in Stoke on Trent, but are being sacrificed for the regeneration of the area.

Both pieces have been recycled from past exhibitions at AirSpace's old home at the Falcon Works, Old Town Road. Creating a gradual move from one space to another and allowing interested parties to see the quality of what may lie behind the doors of the new Gallery.

The current work on show in the window is Matt Robinson's bright yellow vinyl design, catching the eye of all passers by. This is an extension of the Dizzy Heights show that just finished at the gallery.

# 11 [29 August 2007]

AirVideo

31^st August Preview (invite only) 7pm -9pm

31^st August - 7^th September open to public

‘Alternative Possible Worlds' involves 17 international video artists who have gained recognition as emerging talents. The work has been selected based around concerns about a rapidly changing world; from the effects of a shifting global economy, the destruction or suppression of indigenous cultures, mass building programmes and  urban sprawl to dreams of possible futures informed by a mixture of 1950s science fiction and advancements in cloning and genetic manipulation.

The artists' Alternative Possible Worlds trace a fine line between the illusion of progress and potential catastrophe.

Artists include Nick Goulis, Andro Semeiko, Toine Klaassen, Brignell and Raimes, Stephen Bishop, Noémi McComber, Zhenchen Liu, Ella Kajsa Nordstrom, Monica Rodriguez Medina, Michael Salmond, Gaia Persigo, Akiko and Masako Takada, Marcin Gajewski, Joseph Hallam, Ben Young, Alexandra Crouwers and Michelle Letelier.

AirVideo is a series of film and video events co-curated by Matt Roberts and Yu-Chen Wang of BasementArtProject.com. For more information www.basementartproject.com/airvideo

# 10 [17 July 2007]

Head Talk

Two of AirSpace's studio artists, Bernard and Brian, have been working together to create Head Talks, an opportunity for the AirSpace team to get together and talk about relevant subjects in contemporary art.

On Sunday the 15^th July the first Head Talks took place, we planned a walk and a picnic and the rain didn't deter us. A group of 11 people donned their waterproofs and we took a short walk around Consall Nature Park before picnicking in the cars, then gathering together in the Staffordshire Arms pub for a pint.

Here we began the talk; as a group of people used to casual meetings and talking about their art work it was interesting to see the members engaged in a different kind of conversation. The topic of discussion was that of the artist and branding, which is relevant to most of the AirSpace members, within this topic we also discussed definitions of the word branding; branding as a particular style recognised in an artist's work; branding as a form of marketing. The conversation turned to a discussion of our own experiences and situations including worries about compromising our artistic integrity in order to make money.

Also present were Matt Robinson and Pete Smith the artists currently installing the Dizzy Heights exhibition at the AirSpace Gallery. They were invited to talk about their practice and to join in the discussion.

The first Head Talks was a brilliant day, some beautiful scenery and fresh air to inspire the mind before a pint and some good conversation; I can't wait for the next one!

# 9 [4 July 2007]

Dizzy Heights

Preview Friday July 20^th 7pm-9pm   (Private View, invitation only)

Exhibition Saturday 21^st July -Saturday 18^th August (Open to the general public)

Gallery open Tues - Sat 11-5pm

AirSpace, Stoke on Trent's new contemporary art galley, will celebrate its grand opening at its new location, No. 4 Broad Street, Hanley on Friday 20^th July. For the occasion we are delighted to announce that internationally renowned artist Paul Rooney will preside over the opening ceremony which will be during a private view of the new show Dizzy Heights.

Dizzy Heights

Prepare yourself to be taken into a different world, a weird and strange place where dream like forms become reality and imaginations can wander unfettered by the everyday.

Dizzy Heights, the next show at Airspace Gallery has brought together two exciting new artists Pete Smith and Matt Robinson, who have created bizarre and wonderful installations whose irresistible allure will challenge your perceptions of reality.

There is something from our childhood memories that resonates in Matt Robinson's work. The bright cartoon like colours and shapes put us at our ease, however on closer inspection we realise that "here be monsters". 

Sick Cloud is a giant 3D work made from a combination of randomly collected objects and polyurethane mouldings, which muses on what an ethereal ever changing thing like a cloud would puke up if it could. Matt made the work in a process of what he calls "doodling", the bringing together of "stuff", some which is recycled, in the spirit of play. In this tide of "virtual" vomit we can pick out a seemingly never ending variety of visually entertaining mini-installations, which explode from the stream. In a colourful semi-abstract way these smaller works, some with intricately composed narratives, others which offer witty re-workings of recognisable images and icons, make up a ginormous whole articulating its own unique visual language.

The sheer volume and gusto with which Matt explores the notions of constant evolution and the setting off of themes of utopian visions against references of horror, decay and disgust, leaves us with feeling that a frenzied battle is taking place. The allure and beauty of the colours and fabric of the work draws us in, but once engaged the realisation of the awfulness of the object repels us, leaving a bitter sweet memory of the experience.

Wailing Wall by Pete Smith is, as it suggests, a giant wall, but unlike other walls the function of this construct is to involve us to play.  Like Sick Cloud, the wall is made from a random collection of unlikely objects, however this wall give forth utterances. Gently, familiar voices whisper familiar phrases, drawing us in, inviting us to explore and engage. Breaking the usual gallery convention of "please do not touch", we are invited not only to add to the work but to go one further and physically immerse ourselves in the work itself, investigating its interior and ultimately leaving our mark.

From Stoke on Trent, Pete Smith is well known for his unusual constructs having had installations in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham as well as locally. Interested in the human condition he creates mechanical surrogates that mimic the mundane patterns we follow in our everyday routines, from the ritual workspace to our most intimate private moments. The impressive scale and size of Wailing Wall allows us to step out of our normality for a while, and through its multi faceted nature invite us to consider other possibilities.

Both these works playfully ask questions about what is normal and real. Echos of Dali resonate in both, highlighting urgent present day questions of environment, politics and aesthetics. These works raise issues of modern day media, image and time and the way these things effect and play upon our very humanity, suggesting an unnerving fragility of our perceptions of the norm.  

# 8 [4 July 2007]

Art Gallery tries a hand at Animal Rescue!

It's a tale of high drama, of battling against the elements, of passionate endeavour, loss and finally an unlikely happily ever after, plus possibly the cutest picture of ducks you'll ever see in your life.

Yes duck, ducks! When Andrew Branscombe and David Bethell the curators of AirSpace, Stoke on Trent's new contemporary art gallery, received the news that they could finally take official occupancy of no.4 Broad Street, Hanley, they were unprepared for the heart rending experience that was about to unfold.  Preoccupied as they were with the negotiations of Dizzy Heights, AirSpace's next exhibition, it was only by pure chance that they noticed a small mother duck who had set up her nursery in a disused out-house behind the new gallery. Although the past year of running the gallery in a disused factory at the edge of town had taught Andrew and David how to cope with the most taxing and bizarre of situations, still they were astonished to suddenly find themselves in the role of carers to a mother to be.  

There were concerns of what would happen to the chicks once they were born as the nearest water was over half a mile away and across many busy roads. But more intense concerns were raised when despite vigilant observation it was discovered one morning that mummy duck had vanished. Was she attacked by an urban fox which had been seen in the vicinity or perhaps a city cat or stray dog? Whatever it was, she had fled leaving her unborn chicks to their fate.

Operation ‘Rescue' started as David and Andrew hatched a plan. The remaining nine eggs were collected into Andrew's jumper and nestled into a cardboard box in front of a heater in the Gallery Space. The eggs were then carefully relocated to an incubator at Andrew's house and three days later immersed in the organisation of gallery events David received a text message from Andrew: ‘Might be a bit late today Dude, 9 eggs went in a 9 ducklings came out.' And sure enough 9 beautiful ducklings were hatched and squeaking for attention.

But now what? How were they to look after the new arrivals? They had no pond!

Several phone calls later and we are delighted to report that a new foster home has been found for the little uns at a bird sanctuary near Uttoxeter. All are doing well and will be released in to the wild later in the year. A happy fairy tale ending for the Stoke on Trent ducks.

# 7 [6 June 2007]

So we had our first opening at Number 4!

AndersonMacgee's Two, revealed the beauty beneath the white walls of our new gallery by stripping back the paint and carpet, showing us the ornate tiles and bare materials used to construct the room. This process alters our perceptions of the white walled gallery space, provoking thoughts of history and permanence and leaving us eager to view the second piece; a permanent intervention along side the ring road in Hanley City Centre. The opening of the show also saw the launch of AndersonMacgee's new publication, produced along side the Two show; visitors were seen delving into this throughout the opening.

For the evenings entertainment DJ Beetroot provided us with some funky back ground music while the visitors took in the new work, which was later accompanied by a debut performance from Chromatone; where performance artists responded to a projected video. Hurricane Landcrash reacted with his guitar and computer as artists Chris Simcox, David Clamp and Laura Fletcher responded with drawing, while the audience relished the ability to watch the process.

Attendance was good, the cosy bar area at the back of the room was full of interest as people poured over maps of the city and passed exhibitions press releases and everyone enjoyed the chance to have a sneaky peak at the new building.

A positive beginning to our new abode and we're really excited to see what is going to happen in the new space.

The Two publication is available to buy from the gallery.

airspaceinfo@btinternet.com

# 6 [14 May 2007]

Out of Space

For the last few weeks the derelect AirSpace building has been swarming with the un-dead, we have been hosts for the filming of Out of Space a Zombie film with a difference.

Here's what it's all about:

She takes her last drag of her cigarette…

and sips her wine.

The clay was cold under her fingers.

The darkness encroached.

Silent light echoed through the old abandoned pot bank.

She sleeps.

The living did not foresee the next 23 hours.

No one listened…

The landfills spilled over,

The rubbish mounted up

The mines were filled

And the pollution thickened

CONTAMINATION….. Mankind shall pay

OUTOFSPACE is an artistic approach to an important issue. This zombie horror film with a difference explores an original, down to earth and ‘realistic’ reaction to an environmental disaster.

The films strong environmental message is not about pointing the finger or answering questions. Rather we are using film as an attempt to encourage a discourse, creating a dialogue which forces people from all different backgrounds and ages to ask questions about our attitude to the world, to think outside the box and to take personal responsibility for their consumerist footprint. Therefore empowering individuals to create positive environmental change within their society, as well as raising people’s awareness of the potential impacts we are having on the earth.

The film will be edited as a lost transmission and will explore the complex network of relationships between the media and individuals.

We have recently received funding from the local council for the production of the film. To our surprise the film is escalating in popularity and we have gained local and national recognition from a range of professional bodies. These included our guest director, international award winning film maker Chris Stone and international illustrator and artist Shane Oakley, who is currently working with Labyrinth Arts to create a graphic novel based on the screen play of OUTOFSPACE.

Labyrinth Arts

Labyrinth Arts is a collective of professional artists who are based within the Stoke-on-Trent area. We facilitate a number of creative opportunities and experiences within the local and national community, for the purposes of personal, cultural, environmental, economic and social improvements.

Each member of the not-for-profit group brings different skills to the projects with the aim to share their knowledge and empower other people from the group and within the community to explore, create, celebrate and ‘have a go’ for themselves. For this project our core artists and professional skills/capabilities include:

Members

Aimee Blease-Bourne: Writer, actor, researcher, environmentalist, musical composer and camera person

Pete Brown: Audio-visual technician, lighting designer, set constructer and stunt man

Michael Cartwright: Visual artist, musical sound director, director, stuntman, editor and camera person

Neil Coburn: Actor, musical composer, set designer and constructer, musical and sound designer and stuntman

Andrea Cope: Musician, chemist, researcher, Prince2 Project Practitioner and environmental officer

Katrina Durber: Make-up and Special FX artist and seamstress.

Caroline McCarthy: Musician, psychologist, actress, writer and researcher

Tez Roberts: Visual artist and designer, photographer, actor, Director, special FX artist and costume designer

Sarah Rowlands: Director, writer, choreographer, actor, stunt co-ordinator and camera person

OUTOFSPACE

The film is based in Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands. As a city whose industry has been so influenced by the special and unique character of the landscape- we think it is time for us as residents to give something back to the Earth and say thanks, because without the clay, coal and iron the Potteries, would not be what it is today. As these industries are fading, we are increasingly becoming a consumerist, plastic and throw-away society, but we need to take personal responsibility for our waste and reduce the footprint that we leave behind on the Earth. Through various community workshops we are also providing local people with the opportunity to get their point of view across in a creative and non-aggressive way and therefore encouraging artists and participants to learn and share skills.

www.outofspacethemovie.co.uk

# 5 [7 May 2007]

Number 4, Broad Street:

We finally did it!

They haven't quite signed the dotted line, but we're one step closer to moving to Broad Street.

Number 4, Broad Street has been being talked about between Stoke's Creative Development Team and AirSpace since last year. A comprehensive feasibility study has been being drawn up care of New Media Partners, gathering interest from across the city.

It was initially suggested that we would move in March '07 and with the electricity being cut off in our current building just before Christmas we were eager to get the negotiations on the way. On the 3^rd May '07 planning permission was finally agreed.

We have been patient and it will be worth the wait. Number 4, Broad Street is right in the middle of the Cultural Quarter, across the road from the Potteries Museum and much closer to the centre of town. It has heating, hot water and more importantly electricity! We will have more space for artists and a real office for the MD's so we can improve on the family atmosphere we have been striving for.

The gallery will be much more accessible for visitors and there is even room for a caf' and smaller gallery space for hiring out!

AirSpace are extremely grateful to get permission to move to their new home, and we would like to thank the S-O-T's Cultural Development Team in-particular for all there hard work and perseverance

So get excited everyone, we're on the move.

# 4 [7 May 2007]

Axis Festival:

Stoke on Trent made a big leap this weekend with their first ever major arts festival.

They got all kinds of great musicians; Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, The Guillemots, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and organised some fun workshop days, with a Wish Tree, Labyrinth and Costume making!

As the now leading contemporary arts centre we decided to get our audience involved too...

It was a bit of a slow start seeing as we were advertised in the brochure for Friday instead of Saturday; but not to complain as actually the Graffiti artists chickened out and Dan Hopkins had to cancel his projection performance due to good, and therefore bad, lighting. This left resident artist Chris Simcox to down tools for his performance piece, but never fear we will be holding these events on our next show opening instead.

We kept our fingers crossed for the 'After Party' planned to start after Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly. And true AirSpace Style, resident DJ Raskutarnus warmed us up as people began to arrive early. The donations bar was busy straight away and with the addition of interest in the projection showing in the spare room of 'The Making of Out of Space', Labyrinth Art's Zombie Film the atmosphere was building up nicely for the new found local talent of From The Captain. From The Captain are an upbeat rock band, they mix a hint of heavy metal with melodic vocals and bang it out for dancing fun. Then things hotted up with performances from Silhouette, a local Burlesque group revealing their talent for the AirSpace crowd. To finish DJ Raskutarnus wooed the dancers with his funky beats until we drank the bar dry. A brilliant night for all and we just had the cleaning up to do in the morning.

www.myspace.com/fromthecaptainstoke

www.myspace.com/silhouette_burlesque