Open Eye Gallery
As ever there’s oodles of artsy things to see and do in our Liverpool home, Getintothis’ Janaya Pickett has put together a list of her chosen eight.
PhotoStories website: Launching February
As part of Open Eye Gallery‘s Culture Shifts programme, photoseries.org.uk launches this month. The aim of the website is to showcase some of the work created by photographers involved in the Culture Shifts project and also invite people to share their own photo stories.
The hope is to allow communities to contribute to their own stories as well as generate discussion through the power of photography. There are Culture Shift photographers based in Sefton, Toxteth, Kikby, Halton, St Helens and the Wirral. For more information click here.
Nik Colk Void (image by Georg Gatsas courtesy of artist’s Facebook)
Fact and Deep Hedonia Present Nik Colk Void & Klara Lewis: Philharmonic Music Room, Feb 1
Two of electronica’s most promising female producers will be performing at Philharmonic Music Room on February 1. Nik Colk Void of Getintothis favourites Factory Floor and acclaimed composer Klara Lewis will kick off a series of female-led workshops and activities at FACT picturehouse – as part of their No Such Thing As Gravity group exhibition – that aims to debunk the myth of technology as a masculine pursuit.
Both producers are known for their ‘back to basics’ style of electronica, Lewis‘s sound in particular goes even further: blending together seemingly random sounds to create atmosphere rather than floor fillers. What is promised is a sensuous experience of art and sound in a bespoke setting. There’s not long to go for this one so you better make it snappy. Book your tickets here.
Rewind Fast Forward: Archive Tour & Zine-Making Workshop, Liverpool Central Library, February 4
Liverpool DJ, poet and social activist Sandi Hughes has for the past four decades amassed a treasure trove of photographic and film documentation of the local LGBTQ and BAME community. The value of Sandi‘s collection is only now being fully realised and for the past year a small team have worked alongside her to digitise and properly archive the collection.
You can join Sandi and her team at Liverpool Central Library for a tour of the archive and the opportunity to find out more about this fascinating aspect of Liverpool’s history. Salford Zine Library will also be in attendence with a small collection of zines on display from their archives and workshops on how to create your own. This event is free, but spaces are limited and tickets are required. Book here.
Yoko Ono at The Bluecoat, 1967 (image from thebluecoat.org.uk)
Public View: The Bluecoat, Feb 4 – April 23
Public View will mark the beginning of a series of events marking the 300th anniversary of The Bluecoat. This long running and extensive exhibition pays homage to the swathes of artists that have featured in Bluecoat over the past fifty years.
On display will be delights such as Pete Frame‘s Eric Progeny family tree, video and photography of Yoko Ono‘s 1967 performances at Bluecoat, Malcom Garrett and Peter Saville‘s screen printed posters as well as new art from Mike Stubbs, Director at FACT. There’ll be pieces by Merseyside artists and academics John Hyatt and Lin Holland, both originally exhibited in The Bluecoat during 1987.
Public View looks set to be one of the biggest exhibitions of the year here, as every medium from video to sculpture will be on show, across three generations of artists. It’s a celebration of a landmark building that has gone from strength to strength for three whole centuries – nurturing Liverpool’s ever present arts community. For more info click here.
image courtesy of everymanplayhouse.com
The Enemies Project: North by North West Poetry Tour: Everyman Playhouse, February 11
The ambitious Enemies Project which includes the North by North West Poetry Tour takes place this month, bringing together sixty poets to collaborate in pairs and produce a performance piece. Taking place over six nights across the North West, this Arts Council England support tour is bound to be of good quality.
The aim is to foster a community network among regional poets as well as celebrating the art form.The tour is curated by poet Tom Jenks and performance artist SJ Fowler, with local curators Christopher Stephenson, JT Welsch, Linda Kemp and Robert Sheppard. Here, find out more.
Tracey Emin’s My Bed 1998 (Photo Credit: Tracey Emin, taken from the Tate’s website)
Altered Perceptions: Look Closer: Tate Liverpool, Feb 12 – 15
Students from Holly Lodge Girls College and the Young People’s Advisory Service have collaborated with Tate for a special weekend exhibition – in response to Tracey Emin‘s infamous My Bed. Using the piece as a starting off point they explore their own youthful experiences through various mediums.
Contemporary ideas of sexuality, gender, identity and mental health will be the focus and how Emin‘s piece, created twenty years ago, is relevant to young people today.This exhibition is free and one worth supporting. For more info, click here.
Film Screening: ‘My Beautiful Launderette‘: Victoria Gallery & Museum, Febuary 18
This 1985 ‘rom-com’ is an indie classic that deals with homosexuality, racism and abuse in Thatcher‘s Britain. It’s the story of the relationship between Omar (Gordon Warneke) and Johnny (Daniel Day Lewis) coming to terms with their differences through their friendship and love for one another.
As part of VG&M‘s long running Andrew Fekete: Out of Time exhibition, this is a free event and there’s no need to book. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The film starts at 2pm.
Narvik: The Bluecoat, Feb 27 – March 3
This critically acclaimed play is the story of the relationship between a Liverpudlian naval officer and Norwegian woman during WWII. It’s a musical with a difference, the script being more spoken word than Broadway and the use of live folk music rather ‘show tunes’.
Inspired by writer Lizzie Nunnery‘s conversations with her Grandfather, Narvik was written as a one off show for The Playhouse. After sterling reviews and audience responses Narvik has now been developed and readied for a national tour. An epic story of love, loss, and war carried by some beautifully emotive music, this sounds like a real treat. Buy tickets here.
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