Opening Archives - Bonington Gallery

Earlier this month, we introduced the next instalment of our 2019/20 season for Bonington Gallery exhibitions, Matt Woodham: Sensing Systems.

A debut solo exhibition by the artist, designer and technologist, Woodham channelled his skills and interests into generating auditory and visual experiences – including music videos, live visuals for club nights, light installations, and experimental websites.

On preview night, the gallery was filled with a composition of connected installations, positioning visitors within a system of light, sound and motion. Visual and kinetic events are sequenced by a central processing unit which distributes signals around the room. Throughout the exhibition, audiences can interact with the system, which alongside random data sources and a sensitivity to initial conditions, will create a unique experience for each viewer.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us for this exciting preview night and exhibition opening!

Image from the opening night of Matt Woodham: Sensing Systems

In late November, we opened our doors to introduce the next exciting preview in our 2019/20 season of exhibitions – Motif. An experience bringing together 15 years of research conducted by our very own Tim Rundle, Principal Lecturer in BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Promotion here at NTU.

After 30 years of aggressive shifts in design, our relationship to retail, consumption, personal and lifestyle narratives are unrecognisable. One of the key markers of these global changes is our adoption of motifs. The exhibition celebrates both badges of belonging and icons of individuality throughout society, charting shifts in consumer behaviour and popular culture over the decades.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on the preview evening, it was a fantastic atmosphere and a great way to celebrate incredible talent of our staff and researchers here at Nottingham Trent University.

Thanks again to everyone who attended our preview night of Waking the Witch: Old Ways, New Rites, it was an incredible evening and a great way to open our 2019-2020 season!

Here are a few highlights from the night, including a fantastic opening performance from Ben Jeans Houghton, who expressed aspects of his own magical practice through a harmonic voice and the spoken word, using repurposed effects pedals, loopers, ritual tools, and costume.

Don’t forget to check out the exhibition for yourself, open until Saturday 16 November.

All images courtesy of Luke Brennan, find out more from Luke on Instagram: @lukebrennanphotography_

Thanks to all who joined us for the preview yesterday – what a brilliant way to start off 2019!

Below are a few highlights from the event, featuring some selfies taken in front of Dick Jewell’s epic photo collage, War & Peace. When you visit, be sure to take your own selfie and share it on instagram with the hashtag #djwarandpeace. One lucky winner (selected by Dick) will get a signed copy of Dick’s book, 4000 Threads!

Image from the opening of Dick Jewell: Now and Then

Dick Jewell Poses with a visitor for a #djwarandpeace selfie

Dick Mewl posing with a visitor for the #djwarandpeace selfie competition.

Thanks to everyone who came along to yesterday’s double preview event… what a great way to launch our autumn season of exhibitions!

Image from the opening of The Accumulation of Things

Image from the opening of House of Wisdom

Special thanks to all of the curators and artists involved in putting together both exhibitions –

Bonington Vitrines #8: House of Wisdom

The Accumulation of Things

Both exhibitions are now open until Saturday 27 October. For more information, visit the exhibition pages.

Big thanks to everyone who came along to the Preview of Video Days last night! We really enjoyed hosting Nottingham’s skate community for an evening of photos and film screenings – as well as a great talk from Chris Lawton, co-founder of Skate Nottingham. By the end of the evening a mini skate session broke out …inside the gallery…

Image from the opening of Lace: Unarchived

A selection of images from the opening of Ruth Angel Edwards: Wheel of the Year ! Effulent Profundal Zone !

Image from the opening of Ruth Angel Edwards: Wheel of the Year ! EFFLUENT PROFUNDAL ZONE !

Image from the opining of our exhibition It's Our Playground: Artificial Sensibility

Image from the opining of our exhibition Bonington Vitrines #3 London's Calling

Scarlett Cannon (left) and Juliana Sissons reminiscing about the 1980s, over the content of the vitrines in London’s Calling.

Scarlett and Tom… Scarlett also brought her dog, Maude along… be sure to follow @scarlettandmaude on Instagram for more.

Scarlett met up with long time friend and NTU Photography lecturer Emily Andersen last night, too.

Juliana Sissons chatting with Joey and Camille (It’s Our Playground), in front of Simon Callery’s newly installed work, Wiltshire Modulor (small, 2010-2013)

After everybody left, It’s Our Playground stuck around to document their show before they return to Paris…

It’s Our Playground: Jocelyn Villemont and Camille Le Houezec

To mark the opening of his solo exhibition here at the Gallery, Giorgio Sadotti led 80+ volunteers in an INAUGURATING INCANTATION. With the audience entering in silence and into near total darkness, the performance evoked the sense of a sort-of ritual taking place in a cave. Evidence of the performance has now been left in the space, creating an installation which will remain throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Thanks to all who came along to the preview, and special thanks to all the volunteers who took part in the performance. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Image from the opening of Shapeless Impact Not Time Slow Is (Flits By)

Giorgio Sadotti will be giving a live lecture next week in Newton building’s lecture theatre (just across the road) – don’t miss it!