ARTISTS COMMISSIONS for 2007
01.FUSION
IMLAH HALL - (a.k.a DJ Lionheart) [ PERFOMANCE ]
COVENTRY COMMISSION
Priory Place Coventry
Ticket price: FREE
Biography
An established CDJ and radio host with over 10 years in the music and entertainment industry, fusing US and UK music. Imlah uses music to help to provide us with a visual insight into each others worlds and provide exposure for all those involved.
Project Summary
A lighting and musical extravaganza, new urban music forms the basis of this piece with fresh choreography in the backdrop of Priory place.
02.DAY AS DARK AS LIGHT
M-A-STARKEY - (aka Issa James) [ PERFOMANCE ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Thursday 20th September, 7.00pm
The Drum Arts Centre
144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU.
Drum Box office on 0121 333 2400
Biography
M-A-Starkey is an exceptional new writer and music producer tackling the important dynamic of balance in life.
Project Summary
Harmony Black & Junior White are from worlds apart, or are they? Not everything in life is Black and White! Set in North West Birmingham, theatre, film and inner-city music tell the tale of four young people as dramatic events unfold over four days.
03.IDENTITY
ABDALLAH MEIRGANI [ VISUAL ART ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Monday 1st October - Sunday 14th October,
10.00 am - 5.00 pm
Private view - Thursday 4th October,
6.00 pm - 9.00 pm
The Custard Factory
Gibb Square, Birmingham. B9 4AA.
Ticket price: FREE
Biography
Abdallah Meirgani is a Sudanese born artist. He completed a Diploma in Fine Arts at the Tetouan Institute of Fine Arts in Morocco in 1995 and subsequently an arts education course at North West London (1999). He won an award for his contribution to the Winter Open Exhibitors (2002) organised by Brent Artists Register.
Project Summary
Evoking a sense of duality this exhibition explores the link between African and Arabic culture in Sudanese art work. The paintings will be used to inspire new music which will be played throughout the exhibition.
04.THE SPACES IN BETWEEN
ANDREW JACKSON [ VISUAL ART ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Monday 17th September - Sunday 4th November,
10.00 am - 5.00 pm
Arts For Change Citizens Gallery
138 Digbeth, Birmingham. B5 6DR.
Ticket price: FREE
Biography
A photographic practitioner who uses photography as a device to examine a diverse range of social issues concerning life within the spaces of the urban environment. Whilst my stance is purely that of a purveyor of subjective dialogues, it is hoped that this dialogue will in turn engender a window of discussion that allows the viewer to find their own conclusions and their meanings.
Project Summary
A captivating photographic exhibition from this esteemed photographer; attempting to make sense of hectic modern urban life with all it's twists, turns and contrasts.
05.NATURES BREADTH
DILWARA BEGUM [ VISUAL ART ]
COVENTRY COMMISSION
INVITED AUDIENCES ONLY -
Friday 16th November 2007
11.00 am - 3.00 pm
- 1.00pm Tour - Visitors Centre to Top Pool Lodge
- 1.30pm Official Launch
- Asian finger food, soft drinks and hot drinks will be available
OPEN TO PUBLIC -
Saturday 17th November 2007
10.30am - 3.00pm
- 1.00 - 2.00pm Artist Talk
- Free, but booking is essential due to limited space
Sunday 18th November 2007,
10.30am - 3.00pm
Visitors should wear suitable footwear and clothing for rural and winter setting.
Top Pool Lodge, c/o Coombe Abbey Country Park, Brinklow Road, Coventry, CV3 2AB.
Tel: 024 7645 3720
email: coombe.countrypark@coventry.gov.uk
website: www.coventry.gov.uk/coombe
Biography
A visual artist, who is inspired by nature, the environment, recycling, personal journeys, memories and identity. Her work is organic, process lead and she enjoys experimenting to capture and express concept. Her work has been exhibited at venues including the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Midlands Arts Centre (Birmingham), Belgrade Theatre, The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery (Coventry), Osterley Park House, Business Design Centre (London), Municipal Youth Council (France) and Volgograd Museum of Fine Arts (Russia).
Project Summary
Sensitive cutting edge pieces inspired by nature. This craft based work is an experimental piece from an artist renowned for creating the unconventional from the mundane.
06.IN HIS SHADOW
DUNIA YETU [ PERFORMANCE ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Thursday 25th October, 7.00pm
The Drum Arts Centre
144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU.
Tickets £8.50
Drum Box office on 0121 333 2400
Biography
Anthonio Oscar Zissou is a professional actor, teacher and poet from Togo in West Africa. He was also the leader of the UNESCO student club in Togo where he organised cultural events throughout West Africa. Since moving to Birmingham with his family in 2002 Anthonio has performed his poetry at a range of venues including Symphony Hall and The Hippodrome and has recorded on the Freedom CD. He has also participated as a Gallery 37 artist and run drama workshops for artSites and Celebrating Sanctuary. He has recently established a new panAfrican drama group Dunia Yetu
Project Summary
A Small African village raises money to send a young man to study in England. It is expected that he will take his skills back for the benefit of the village but the well laid plans take a drastic turn. A thrilling tale fusing traditional theatre, music and dance from this visually exciting group.
Website: www.duniayetu.org.uk
E-mail: enquiry@duniayetu.org.uk
Public Relation Officer: Chantal Hales -07957 631283
Secretary: Evrard Loembe -07985 557310
07.TERROR OF LIVING
JIVA PARTHIPAN [ PERFORMANCE ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Wednesday 31st October, 7.00pm
The Drum Arts Centre
144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU.
Limited number of Free tickets now available call 0121 333 2400 to book.
Biography
Jiva Parthipan is an interdisciplinary artist who has a particular interest in power. His work is concerned with the manner in which power is negotiated in the interpersonal, social, geopolitical and sexual spheres. depending on the idea and context he utilises a variety of disciplines and strategies ranging from games, dance, video, text, lecture and interventions to realise his ideas.
Project Summary
A multi media extravaganza. An entertaining journey around modern paranoia and our everyday fears in today's prosperous world, featuring live music, dance, and visual projections.
08.DRAMATIC ARCHITECTURE
LEROY HENRY [ VISUAL ART ]
WOLVERHAMPTON COMMISSION
Monday 17th September - Saturday 29th September, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Wolverhampton Central Library
Snow Hill, Wolverhampton. WV1 3AX.
Ticket price: FREE
Biography
A qualified artist with a BA (Hons) Degree in Printmaking with Design for Floor coverings and Interior Textile Furnishing. Leroy works in contemporary mediums such as spray art and paper engineering and has recently developed and facilitated paper engineering workshops in schools throughout the Midlands.
Project Summary
Emotional connections to the built environment are explored through the presentation of these Architectural inspired structures.
09.COMFORTS OF HERITAGE PART II
MARIA ONYEGBULE [ VISUAL ART ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Saturday 22nd September - Sunday 30th September
Woodbridge Gallery
47 Woodbridge Road,Moseley, Birmingham. B13 8EJ
Ticket price: FREE
Biography
Her work interprets form, decoration, colour and simple everyday life and culture of people and their surroundings. The colours she uses evoke the feel of Africa and reflect her desire to remain close in heart to the land of her family origin. In Africa artists are neither strictly traditional, nor western in style; rather there is a fusion of elements as she explores this concept in her work.
Project Summary
Following on from Comfort of Heritage exhibition in March 07, Maria's vibrant style moves the viewer deeply in this exclusive exhibition of new paintings incorporating techniques and influences from West Africa and Timbuktu.
10.THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE
REENA KALSI [ FILM ]
WOLVERHAMPTON COMMISSION
Wednesday 31st October, 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Light House
The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton. WV1 1HT.
Ticket price: FREE
Biography
Completing her BTEC National Diploma, Visual Communications course at U.CE in June 2000, she advanced onto BA (Hons) Animation at University of Wolverhampton, graduating in June 2003. She won the Channel 4 Animator in Residence Scheme immediately after, and became the first winner to enter the booth in the scheme's new location; The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford. She directed my film, 'Mela', at Sherbet, which was screened on Channel 4 November 2005 and in various film festivals since. Her style involves elements including 2D, 3D and digitally created painterly techniques.
Project Summary
Struggling to follow the formula of Learn, Earn, Marry, Produce. This film follows a young mans life as he attempts to make his mark on the world. A humorous yet sincere insight into the slog across the bridge we must all cross, from dependant to provider.
11.SCARECROW
SARAH WILSON [ INTERACTIVE VISUAL ART ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Saturday 15th September - Saturday 22nd September
The Drum Arts Centre
144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU.
Drum Box office on 0121 333 2400
Ticket price: FREE
Also showing on:
Sunday 23rd September - Sunday 14th October
Uplands Allotments
Oxhill Road, Handsworth, Birmingham.
Handsworth Wood Girls School Plot.
Biography
A musician, audio artist and singer songwriter specialising in digital and electronic media.She works with: The Ikon, Symphony Hall. Creative Partnerships, Birmingham City Council and National Youth Services as both an artist and workshop provider.
More recently she has been working with other artists and community groups moving in to interactive working practises and producing installations such as Light Up The Trees - an outdoor installation in and about Handsworth Park, Lest We Forget - with photography by Ming de Nasty and an interactive sound piece surrounding commonwealth veterans and White Noise - an _interactive audiovisual piece reflecting the experience of childhood at Ikon Gallerv.
Project Summary
Can scarecrows really be scary? This is your chance to ask them. Welcome to the next realm, these scarecrows can talk, know their food groups and will introduce you to a whole new world. This astounding work bridges visual and performance art in a truly interactive piece.
12.MASK'D
SHANE SHAMBHU [ DANCE ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Tuesday 30th October, 8.00pm
Post performance discussion and wine reception.
Birmingham Library Theatre
Birmingham Central Library, Broad Street, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham. B3 3HQ.
Ticket price: FREE
Box office on 0121 303 2323
Biography
Shane Shambhu is a British-Indian dancer and choreographer communicating through a unique movement vocabulary, developed by the manipulation and deconstruction of the Indian Classical dance form of Bharatanatyam. Through introducing a more fluid and contemporary approach to his form and incorporating theatre and drama he boldly challenges the boundaries of tradition and culture by developing a British Asian dance language and form. Working with concepts of a modern mindset his work integrates cultures, myths and science and portraying them in situations that relate to and are relevant to today's society.
Project Summary
An emotionally and physically charged new dance-theatre work using a movement language that blends Indian and Contemporary dance. Based around the various personalities we embody in everyday interactions and if we remain true to ourselves.
13.PAMOJA; TOGETHERNESS
STEVE YIMGA [ MUSIC ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Thursday 25th October, 8.00pm
The Drum Arts Centre
144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU.
Drum Box office on 0121 333 2400
Biography
Steve Yimga is a talented djembe player from the Cameroon. He collaborates with musicians from a wide range of musical cultures and is interested in cross-art form work. He is currently working with a cross cultural ensemble which has performed widely across Birmingham since their debut in October 2005. Performance venues have included Birmingham Library Theatre, Boiler Room, The Drum and as part of Refugee Week. Steve also runs djembe workshops for schools and community groups.
Project Summary
5 days, 5 musicians, six new pieces of music. A Jazz, R&B and Hip Hop fusion, Omuja's funky grooves have everything you need from a musical performance. Featuring Steve Yimga, one of the midlands music scene's brightest hopes.
14.JUMPING TO 3D
SUHAIR AL KHAYAT [ VISUAL ART ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Saturday 1st September - Thursday 18th October, 10.00am - 5.00pm
Birmingham Reparatory Theatre foyer
Broad Street, Birmingham, B6 2EP.
Ticket price: FREE
Biography
An Iraqi visual artist "painter" with an architecture background. The style of her work is influenced by the Middle Eastern Islamic art and architecture with its rich and colourful details, magnificent ornaments, spiritual structures and beautiful Arabic calligraphy fonts. Creating a colourful explosion of opulence framed by Islamic shapes and structures.
Project Summary
Contemporary modern artwork with an Islamic Middle Eastern twist, an eclectic mix of paintings and 3D pieces from this outstanding artist.
15.BHAKTI AND THE BLUES
VAYU NAIDU [ PERFORMANCE ]
BIRMINGHAM COMMISSION
Thursday 13th September, 7.00pm
The Drum Arts Centre
144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU.
Ticket price: £7.00
Drum Box office on 0121 333 2444
Biography
Vayu Naidus storytelling is performance that is a chemical reaction combining sub continental traditions with the contemporary moment in Britain. There is no specific location, but emotional geographies of the human condition that draw her audiences through the storyteller's imagination with the craft of words and gesture. The creative collision of live music, dancers and multi media in her work always enchants, while educating with surprise. Her work is a palimpsest of cultures world wide and across time re told with wisdom and wit.
Project Summary
Bhakti and the Blues, created by enthralling storyteller Vayu Naidu, is a carnival of storytelling, sound, music and image that takes the audience on a journey to the heart of creativity. From the birth of mothers, to the democracy of the soul, this is a journey across metropolises, mythologies and professions. Various moods texture the new work in expressing love in the daily and love that is eternal. Each one of us has it; that call of longing for the soul's belonging. This is an experience to become.
