Category Archives: art\write
art\write: Returning Voices
There is a new art\write project called Returning Voices. The blurb says:
Artists and writers let lost voices speak.
art\write
What would the voices from our pasts say if they had one more chance to speak? Inspired by Denise Riley’s collection of poems Say Something Back, artwrite invited artists and writers to go on a personal quest to seek out their lost voices, to find a story for them and to let them speak.
I haven’t created work for this one but I did some technical support for Nick Holmes‘ The Past Is Another Country and Deborah Catesby‘s Yellow. I’m pleased with both of them.
art\write are now on Facebook and Instagram as well.
art\write’s Back to Back project – a proposed live event – (which I do have a piece for) is still in abeyance.
art\write: Two Chairs goes live
The art\write Two Chairs project I wrote about earlier has gone live. The main project page links to eleven very different responses to the original prompt by sixteen different artists and writers.
My piece is a short film involving live action and (of course) some small sections of stop motion animation. It took a lot of false starts and rapid learning to get to where it is now. I’ve still got a lot to learn. I am indebted to Pat Roberts and Jon Legg for their help.
The next project is already underway. I was challenged by a friend to incorporate a particular guest character. It felt strange at first but I think I have created a world and style that fits. The screenplay is written, voices are being recorded and some very technical shots are in the can (!). Today I’m reviewing the shot list and getting ready to start the bulk of filming. It’ll be 95% stop motion as things stand. Stay tuned.
art\write Two Chairs project
I am one of sixteen artists and writers invited to contribute to this art\write project during the Coronavirus lock-down. The participants have been invited to create online work inspired by this image.
I’m working with artist Deb Catesby to create a video setting for her drawings.
My piece will be a short video with a hint of drama. I will post more when the work is on the web site. In the mean time you can bookmark the development of the project here. There’s already work there if you’re interested.
I’m still learning new skills but I hope the piece will be competent, coherent and entertaining.
Back to Back at the Back to Backs
10 creative writers and 10 visual artists make a site specific response to Birmingham’s historic communal courtyard housing.
I’ll be writing a site-specific piece and performing it on the * POSTPONED until further notice * at the Back to Backs in Birmingham. I am working in conjunction with visual artist Deb Catesby. The visual art exhibition element runs from * also postponed *.
It’s going to be a great event. More details on the art\write web site. Booking is essential but it is not open yet.
Birmingham Back to Backs – National Trust
55-63 Hurst Street/50-54 Inge Street, Birmingham, B5 4TE
Now preserved by the National Trust these buildings represent the working history of Birmingham. The 19th-century courtyard of working people’s houses provides an atmospheric glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who helped make Birmingham an extraordinary city. They are Birmingham’s last surviving court of back to backs – houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard. The National Trust tour moves from the 1840s through to the 1970s, giving us an insight into the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work.
Unframed in Bromyard
Yesterday was the performance of my short piece unframed at the unframed writings event at the Chapel Gallery in Bromyard. It was one of eight pieces. The art\write writers involved this time were:
- Sharon Ashton
- Elsa Braekkan Payne
- Deb Catesby
- Sheila Farrell
- Catherine Greene Jones
- Philip Monks
- Jude Warr-Arnold
- Lance Woodman
My piece was a three-hander and I’m grateful to fellow writers Philip Monks and Sheila Farrell for helping me to perform the piece. The rehearsals for all eight pieces of writing were short and intense and we are all indebted to theatre director Jonathan Legg for his calm direction and support.
The Chapel Gallery is a lovely venue and the audience were great. I hope we helped to raise plenty of funds for Bromyard Community Arts.
Coming Up: unframed writings
I am writing and performing a short piece for the below event. It will be inspired by pieces shown at the Chapel Gallery’s recent, rather wonderful, Unframed show. Please do come along.
Unframed Writings
The Chapel Gallery, Bromyard
2 Forbury Chase, Sherford Street, Bromyard, HR7 4DL
Saturday 25th May at 4.30pm (doors open at 4.15pm)
A group of creative writers, collectively known as ‘art\write’, will be performing short creative works inspired by unframed, which was an exhibition of drawings and sketches recently shown at The Chapel Gallery. The afternoon will include poetry, short prose and drama. Entry to this one-off event is free – donations welcomed to support Bromyard Community Arts. The performance will end at approximately 5.30pm with tea and cake. Find out more about art\write at www.artwrite.net
R&J: take 2 – tickets still available
My piece for Romeo & Juliet: take two at the ArtistsWorkhouse in Studley is ready to go. The short two-hander is called the point of light. It is paired with Sheila Farrell‘s beautiful artwork a small light which will be in the exhibition. We are one of ten writer and artist teams presenting on the night.
The first performance is on Friday (8th June) at 7pm and the second is on Saturday 16th June, also at 7pm. Tickets are still available from Eventbrite at £7 (price includes refreshments). The last time that I looked there were still £5 early bird tickets available.
The exhibition (free entry) runs from Saturday 9th-Sunday 17th June, 11am-4pm (closed Monday and Tuesday). There are more details on the art\write site.
On a practical note… Parking: There is free parking available behind the closed Royal Victoria pub opposite ArtistsWorkhouse (B80 7AU). Alternatively there is a public car park at Pool Road (B80 7HJ) which is a short walk away.
Romeo & Juliet: take two
Romeo and Juliet has started previewing at the RSC in Straford. It plays there until late September and will then go to London. Why mention it? art\write are using the play to inspire ten collaborations between writers and visual artists. I am one of the writers and have been teamed up with artist Sheila Farrell.
It has been a interesting process and we’ve had some good conversations. The work in progress is, I think, promising. The written piece will be a 5 minute two-hander.
art\write have run similar projects before but not with the writers and artists working so closely together. It will be fascinating to see the results.
The performances of the written pieces are on Friday 8th June and Saturday 16th June, both at 7pm. The shows are at the Artists Workhouse in Studley (more details below). Tickets are £7 each and numbers will be limited.
The exhibition runs from Saturday 9th June to Sunday 17th June, 11am-4pm, (closed Monday and Tuesday).
Coming soon-ish
I am one of ten writers writing new, short plays inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet for an art\write show and exhibition. I am working with visual artist Sheila Farrell who will be contributing to an exhibition of art works on the same theme.
The performances and exhibition will be at the Artists Workhouse in Studley in mid-June. More information to follow.
I wish you had met him
My piece for the Portraits 2 show on Sunday evening will be called ‘I wish you had met him.’ There are some great writers and I think tickets are still available.
