Friday 8 July 2011

Bold Tendencies sculpture project opens in Peckham car park

Adaptable Boardwalk (with Three Genetic Drifts) by David Brooks...
with the city of London in the background

The 5th edition of Bold Tendencies, the sculpture show on the upper floors of Peckham car park, opened to the public on 30 June. The show will run until 30 September, is free of charge, and open Thurs - Sun 11am - 10pm. 


Untitled(Osaka) by Eva Berendes


Bold Tendencies was the brainchild of the Hannah Barry Gallery, but has in recent years received public funding and is a non-profit making enterprise, with the aim of 'showcasing new art by international artists'. 


Tube by Lilah Fowler


The first Bold Tendencies took place in 2007, and has been growing ever since. 45,000 people attended the 2010 event. The 2011 event includes 15 large-scale new artworks. 


The top floor of the car park is occupied by a temporary 'pop-up' restaurant, Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar designed by Practice Architecture (Lettice Drake and Paloma Gormley). 


Restaurant designed by Practice Architecture


A new auditorium made of straw has been commissioned for 2011, which will host a series of screenings and events. For the events programme, visit: http://boldtendencies.com/events 


Straw auditorium

UP Projects' Floating Cinema project launched

On 1 July 2011 East London-based arts organisation UP Projects, one of the Arts Council's new NPOs, launched its most recent project: the Floating Cinema. This water-borne cinema space (a converted canal boat) will spend July - September navigating the canals and waterways around the Olympic Park in East London. The Floating Cinema has been produced by UP Projects, but was designed by artists StudioWeave. The project was originally created by artists and filmmakers Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie, otherwise known as Somewhere, and winners of the first ever Northern Art Prize in 2007. The programme of screenings and events has been curated by Somewhere.


Inside the cinema (capacity: 12) Photo by Je Ahn

The project is a continuation of UP Projects 'Portavilion' programme of temporary pavilions for London's public spaces. The great benefit of the Floating Cinema being, of course, that it is not only portable, but doesn't even require to be de-constructed in order to be re-erected elsewhere. Plus you're surrounded by the wildlife of the canals while in transit - an extremely relaxing way to travel.

The cinema will host intimate onboard screenings and discussions as well as providing a base for larger outdoor events at different locations on the waterways throughout summer. The programme includes new films made by local film-makers, historic archive screenings and tours by writers Iain Sinclair, Richard Mabey & Michael Smith and comedy performances by Holly Burn, Susie Donkin & Jemima Burrill. 


The project forms part of the Create 2011 summer festival and is commissioned by The Olympic Delivery Authority and funded by Arts Council England.

For the full events programme, visit: http://floatingcinema.info/events/ 

Mark Wallinger's White Horse for Ebbsfleet cost soars to £12m


The Ebbsfleet Landmark project's winning design by Mark Wallinger, with an original estimated budget of £2m, now has some more realistic figures in and the cost looks to be about 6 times the original intended cost. 

To read the Art Newspaper's full article, visit:

Cecil Balmond appointed to work with Charles Jencks on Gretna Landmark project


Architect Cecil Balmond has been appointed to work with landscape designer and architectural theorist Charles Jencks to design a new 'integrated sculptural form and landscape' to mark the border crossing between Scotland and England at Gretna. Titled the Star of Caledonia, the design is intended to welcome people travelling on the M74. 


The project has come at a time when there is a great deal of ongoing discussion about Scotland becoming independent of England. 


To watch a video with author Ian Rankin talking about why he likes Cecil Balmond's design, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-13992689  


To read the full story, visit: http://www.creativescotland.co.uk/news/cecil-balmond-selected-to-work-with-charles-jencks-on-an-innovative-contemporary-landmark-for-s


To find out more about the project, visit: www.gretnalandmark.com