Trying to reduce our ‘RT’ by building acoustic panels in the gallery this week:
This months Frieze magazine features a great article by Jonathan P.Watts (NTU Lecturer, writer, critic) examining how gentrification in London is impacting upon the lives of artists who live and worth there. The article uses Nottingham (& Norwich’s) burgeoning artist-led communities as examples of how critically engaged and sustainable practices can establish themselves away from ‘major’ cities. The article uses several specific examples including The Midland Group, Stand Assembly (now One Thoresby Street), Primary, TG & Tyson, and the ever vital Outpost Gallery in Norwich.
This article accompanies a recent Frieze commissioned film of the same title that can be watched here.
You can keep updated and get an overview of artistic activity in the city via the Nottingham Art Map.
Listen and you’ll see: Work by Peter Wright, 2015
Images dominate. Visual representation has a power which goes largely unchallenged in contemporary culture. The ability to pause time and repeat the moment for eternity is a strength of the photographic image which raises the visual above all other senses when we attempt to represent the world around us.
‘Listen and you’ll see’ is an attempt to add another sense to the equation. By recording a minute of sound at the same time as capturing the fraction of a visual second, Peter hopes to draw attention to what is ordinarily missing from our re-presentation of the world and our memories of it. Through repetition of the sound loop we can hear the rhythms of these scenes as well as see them.
This little experiment also presents an opportunity to go back-to-basics in our appreciation of the still photographic image and re-engage with the elements which made it so powerful in the first place.
You can watch the full piece here
Congratulations to Tim Saunders, whose entry was chosen as the overall winner by Alan Kitching!
Tim’s monogram was chosen by Alan “because it seems to be more in keeping with the spirit of the original concept, and is the simplest and the most interesting from the use of colour and textures.”
Tim, a Year Two BA (Hons) Graphic Design student, said “it was such an honour to be part of the project!”, and as his prize for winning the competition he chose a limited edition print of Alan Kitching’s Abram Games monogram.
Two runners-up were also selected to win some Monotype goodies:
#NTUMonogram runner-up entries: Jasmin Watts (L) and Wen Yee Kok (R)
Reflecting on the competition, Alan Kitching said “All have a very nice use of combination of the individual letters. The overall response to the competition was very encouraging and all entries had something worthy.”
On behalf of Alan Kitching, Monotype and the School of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University, thank you to all who entered the competition – it was great to see so many creative entries appearing on the social media wall!
If you missed out on the competition or the Alan Kitching and Monotype exhibition, why not join the mailing list to be kept in the loop with news and upcoming events from the Gallery?
have shaped its position within the city of Nottingham as a leading exponent of innovative exhibition practice.”
Read all about our autumn season of exhibitions and find out more about the Gallery over on Aesthetica Magazine’s website
Something very Roman Signer about the new coffee van here…
Iain & Andrew Foxall took a trip to Nottingham last week to visit the gallery. Whilst here they also took a look around the various workshops and met with technicians and teaching staff, all in preparation for their ‘Publishing Rooms’ project taking place in the gallery next year in April. Inspiration was found all across the site, here’s a few snaps taken by Andrew during the day…
Bonington Gallery was at the National Theatre yesterday for the launch of ‘Creative Industries – Routes to Finance’, a guide that outlines various funding sources available to the creative industries. In addition to the guide there was also the announcement of the new 40 million pound Edge Creative Enterprize Fund.
Despite this positivity and the increased acknowledgement of the value of culture and the ‘creative industries’ to the national economy, with the government announcing it’s spending review next week it’s still a tense time…
We have some copies of the guide at the gallery if anyone wants to take a look, just drop us a line.
Here’s Ed Vaizey MP making his contribution:
Over the next few weeks we’re going to feature the work of five renowned designers, giving you an introduction to the life and works of the individuals who have helped shape the design world over the last century and inspired the Alan Kitching and Monotype exhibition.
Alan Kitching Collection
Born in Germany in 1914, Frederic Henri Kay Henrion worked in Paris as a textile designer before moving to the UK in 1936 to work on a commission as a poster designer. During World War II, Henrion was employed by the British Ministry of Information and the US Office of War Information. Post-war, he established himself as a poster and exhibition designer, going on to work for companies across Europe and becoming ” the founding father of modern corporate identity in Europe”. Henrion’s work can still be seen today, including logos and identities that he created for KLM, Tate & Lyle and Blue Circle Industries.
Read about the many faces of FHK Henrion over on the Creative Review website.
I would advise young people to look at everything they encounter in a critical light … Then I would urge them at all times to be self-critical.’
The next featured designer from Alan Kitching and Monotype is designer and teacher, Josef Müller-Brockmann.
Alan Kitching Collection
Famed for his instantly recognisable clean-cut designs and use of grid systems, Josef Müller-Brockmann’s work and writing has inspired many throughout the years, including Alan Kitching.
Read an in-depth interview first published in Eye Magazine no. 19 vol 5, 1995, and find out more about the influence of JMB’s work through the accounts of Joanne Meister, a graphic designer who met him whilst studying at University in 1989.
Known for his often playful designs and book covers, Paul Rand was one of the foremost designers in the mid 1900’s. Some of his most famous work (some of which is still used today) includes corporate logo designs for IBM, ABC and UPS. Rand also wrote several books on design theory and lectured at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
As well as designing for several public service agencies and companies such as Guinness, Gillette, KLM and the Post Office, Tom Eckersley also helped to establish the UK’s first undergraduate Graphic Design course in 1945.Take a look through a selection of Eckersley’s poster designs, find out more about his work, and read an interview between Eckersley and Abram Games (another featured Pioneer of the Poster).
Nottingham Art Map represents a collective of visual arts venues, artist-led spaces and galleries from across the city of Nottingham. It offers you a go-to place to get the most out of what Nottingham has to offer in the visual arts scene – all in one easy place!
As well as the interactive web version, you can download the Art Map as a PDF. You’ll also pick up a copy from any of the venues listed, or from numerous cafes and shops across the city. Keep your eyes peeled!