‘Robotic Membranes’ is an exhibition of two collaborations between architect Mette Ramsgard Thomsen, knitter Toni Hicks and designer Simon Løvind. The projects explore the idea of a behaving architecture merging architecture, textiles and robotics. Suggesting a space formed through its own internal behaviours, or strange metabolisms, Robotic Membranes investigates the techtonic possibilities, both formal and technological, of a textile architecture shaped by its own inherent movement patterns.

Strange metabolisms is an exploration of knit structure in architecture developed in collaboration between Mette Ramsgard Thomsen and Toni Hicks, Constructed Textiles, University of Brighton. Vivisection, by Mette Ramsgard Thomsen and Simon Løvind, Danmarks Design School is the making of a live section, a sensing skin that acts and reacts on its inhabitation.

Private view Jan 8th 2007 6pm.

For more information please see: http://cita.karch.dk

An exhibition of BA Hons Critical Fine Art second year student’s work.         

“Art is too serious to be taken seriously”
Ad Reinhardt

In this show a specific aspect of the social world – the playing of games – is given inventive yet precarious form, with the presentation of abandoned articles: guttering, a bed frame, a microwave, milk cartons, a miscellany of card and tape. Crazy Golf re-houses the detritus, re-assigning its use value and function. It has to do with the ephemeral, of course, and contemporary ecological concerns, but refers also to resourcefulness, impermanence and spontaneity. The mini-golf course is offered as a ‘working’ sculpture: putters and balls are provided so that the visitor can either play with the artwork or stand aside and contemplate it.

Contact crazy.golf@hotmail.com

An exhibition of work by BA Hons Printmaking second year students.

Come and see a parade of print-based work by University of Brighton second year fine artists, a multinational group presenting a wide range of lively images. They challenge preconceptions about printmaking today.

African inspired dynamic woodcuts of contemporary issues lie next to exquisite and moving traditional engravings. Emotive and witty screenprints contrast with austere dramatic, shadowed etchings. The modern landscape is reinterpreted and goes head to head with video installations and nostalgic colagraphs.

Undercurrents and mysteries, irony and imaginative breakthroughs, a great mix. Go with an open mind and prepare to be intrigued.

Free admission
Open 10am – 5pm

Contact kitconnor@btinternet.com for details

14 - 18 February 2007

14 - 18 February 2007

Author, illustrator, teacher
The work of John Vernon Lord will be celebrated in a major retrospective exhibition hosted by the University of Brighton’s Centre for Contemporary Visual Art showcasing many examples of his prolific output over a 50 year career. The exhibition and accompanying book ‘Drawing Upon Drawing’ will provide biographical details and a valuable insight into his approach to his work.

The book is a useful source material for anyone interested in illustration. It contains extracts from many of Lord’s lectures and articles, and highlight his reflections on drawing and teaching. The title evokes both the notion of drawing in terms of volume as well as his idea that he ‘draws upon drawing’. The introduction was written by fellow children’s author and illustrator Quentin Blake.

John Vernon Lord began freelance illustrating in the 1960s, working on commissions covering books, magazines and advertising media.  In 1972 he produced the children’s classic The Giant Jam Sandwich, a perennially popular work that has since been translated into many languages and has never been out of print.  Other works for children have also been published widely and similarly translated.  To adult readers, however, Lord is associated with a number of prominent publications that have given full expression to his considerable range and interests.  Inspired by poetry, myths, legends, sagas and epics, he is an illustrator-contributor on these subjects to the Folio Society; his most recent book is an illustrated edition of Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark.  Further back in time, The Nonsense Verse of Edward Lear (1984), which included 330 illustrations, won two national awards.  His Aesop’s Fables (1989) included 110 illustrations and won the W.H. Smith/V & A Illustration Award in 1990.

Lord’s distinguished contribution to teaching and learning includes a number of high-profile positions both in England and abroad.  He has lectured widely and been an external examiner on many undergraduate and postgraduate courses.  He has also served on various national and international selection panels for illustration and children’s book awards and prizes. In the 1980s he chaired the Graphic Design Board of the Council for National Academic Awards.  He was Professor of Illustration at the University of Brighton until 1999; he is now Professor Emeritus.  

His work has been exhibited worldwide and is in many private collections.

Supported by the Universityof Brighton Foundation

Private View Friday 16 March 2007 5.30 – 8pm

“the freshest ideas in contemporary art and design” The Argus
“the hottest talent outside London” The Insight

.... vote for your favourite student's work in the Burt Brill and Cardens' People's Art Award!

NEWS RELEASE 13/04/07
DATES ANNOUNCED FOR:
THE BURT, BRILL & CARDENS’ GRADUATE SHOW 2007
University of Brighton, Grand Parade
Saturday 2-Thursday 7 June 2007

Over 500 graduating students from the University of Brighton will showcase their work this June at the acclaimed Burt, Brill and Cardens’ Graduate Show 2007. An annual highlight of the arts calendar for the south, the renowned Faculty of Arts and Architecture is transformed into a massive gallery showcasing work in a staggering range of medias and subject areas from 25 courses.

An artistic celebration attracting over 15,000 visitors each year, the graduate show is accompanied by a bumper programme of activities in the university garden including: the much talked about Graduate Fashion Show on Saturday 2 June; a Family Day with the return of the hugely popular Big Knit where novices and pros come together with their knitting needles on Sunday 3 June. There is also the Charity Fashion Showby first and second year students on Tuesday 5 June and live music performances at lunchtimes.
The University of Brighton prides itself on producing some of the UK’s most talented artists and designers. Past graduates include legendary Biba designer, Barbara Hulanicki and Turner Prize-winners Keith Tyson and Rachel Whiteread. Fashion graduate Julien Macdonald was voted British Designer of the Year 2001 and Gresham Blake has become modish tailor to style-conscious stars and listed in Time Out as one of Brighton’s new wave of entrepreneurs. Keren Craig has also had outstanding success as one half of fashion duo Marchesa, the British couture label and must-have brand among Hollywood celebrities.
An ideal opportunity to discover the next generation of budding artists, the public can explore exhibits, commission artwork or build an art collection from students before they become stars. There are also special pre-booked art tours organised for local schools during the week - a great way to inspire young people about a career in the creative industries.

Those exhibiting their work this year include critical and fine art practice students Will Thorburn (pictured above), with an explicit and edgy take on the fusion of art and science and award-winning artist Hannah Ellul, who will challenge the way images are perceived through her installations. Fashion and textiles student Solveig Jacobsen will present a nostalgic portrayal of her Norwegian homeland through her fashion designs, inspired by once forgotten family photographs consigned to dusty archives. Inspirational new trends in building design at the extensive show of drawings and models will be unveiled by the School of Architecture, while wood-carved fashion accessories by Katharine Beech (pictured left) and other designers work from the ever-popular Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics course add yet another dimension to this exhibition of fresh talent.

Release ends

For more information, call the University of Brighton Press Office on 01273 644756
Ticket office 01273 644099

Notes to editors:

1. Burt Brill & Cardens’ Graduate Show is FREE and takes place at University of Brighton, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 0JY from Saturday 2 – Thursday 7 June 2007. Opening times: Sat and Sun 12noon - 6pm, Mon/Tue/Wed 10am - 8pm, Thu 10am – 4pm. Tickets not required.
2. Students’ Awards: Fri 1 June 2007, 7pm Tickets required
3. The Fashion Show: Sat 2 June 2007 – doors 8.30pm, start time 9pm, Tickets £10
4. Charity Fashion Show:Tue 5 June – doors 8pm, 8.30pm start Tickets £7
5. Please contact the University of Brighton for all tickets: 01273 644099
6. The Big Draw, Free Wednesday 6 June 1pm - 4pm
7. Burt, Brill & Cardens’ solicitors are the major sponsors of the University of Brighton Graduate Show.
8. School of Architecture and Design: Architecture; PG Diploma in Architectural Design; Fashion Design; Fashion Textiles; Interior Architecture; Three-dimensional Design; MA in Interior Design; PG Diploma in Architecture; MA Architectural Studies; Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics. School of Arts and Communication: Critical Fine Art Practice; Digital Music; Editorial Photography; Fine Art Painting; Fine Art Printmaking; Fine Art Sculpture; Graphic Design; Illustration; Performance and Visual Art Music/ Dance/ Theatre. School of Historical and Critical Studies: History of Decorative Arts and Crafts; History of Design, Culture and Society; Visual Culture.

The University of Brighton is proud to present an exhibition of work from students graduating at Masters degree level. The work demonstrates a diverse approach to the question ‘What form should Art take?

Traditional forms such as Painting and Sculpture are included amongst the more contemporary forms of Multimedia and Performance Art.www.mafa07.co.uk

Over a two year period this graduating group of students have been encouraged to develop their art practice with particular reference to contemporary and theoretical issues within the discipline.

Through practice-based research, Students have developed unique works and concepts. These concepts are presented here in a group show.

The work on show in this exhibition demonstrates a diverse approach to the question

‘What form should Art take?

Traditional forms such as Painting and Sculpture are included amongst the more contemporary forms of Multimedia and Performance Art.

The MA Fine Art interim show also runs concurrently on the second floor
in the painting studios of The University of Brighton at Grand Parade.

Private View Tuesday 26 June
5.30pm – 8.30 pm

State Of Nature is an exhibition of Digital Media Arts and is the culmination of 5 artists' post-graduate study at the University of Brighton, in collaboration with the Lighthouse Media Centre. State Of Nature brings together a collective of artists from a diverse range of digital media backgrounds, including fine art, film, commercial design, graphic design and animation. The show focuses on the juxtaposition of technology with nature and culture to move digital art 'beyond the screen'. Works transform the role of the audience into a participant through physical interaction, as well as exploring how technology sculpts new communities. This is realised through a series of interactive spaces containing colourful displays of video, animation and various forms of audio/visual stimulation.

Exhibitiors: James Johnson, Helen Plumb, Joe Shaw, Jon Sayce, Adam Tarry
www.brightondma.co.uk

A showcase of work from 21 talented artists and designers from the ‘MA Sequential Design and Illustration’ and ‘Design by Independent Project’ courses at the University of Brighton. Tutors and alumni from the department include John Vernon Lord who illustrated the children’s classic The Giant Jam Sandwich, and Mini Grey, prize-winning children’s author.

Students from all over the world are attracted to this unique and highly acclaimed course. One such is Birta Thrastardottir, from Iceland, whose rising star has already brought her to the attention of singer songwriter Bjork. The musician recently commissioned her to make a music video, which can be seen in the exhibition.

Other students include Kyungwon Huh from South Korea whose project, Brighton: an eccentric guide book captures the view of Brighton by an “outsider”, and Millie Young, whose MA focuses on art created by elephants in Thailand, as well as the relationships between the elephants and their handlers.

Hannah Carding’s work takes war as a focus and she has recently been asked to deliver projects with children and families at the Imperial War Museum.

Anna Deamer’s illustrations for children have already won her an award of Highly Commended for The Macmillan Prize 2007.

Exhibiting Students: Emma Campbell-Preston, Hannah Carding, Nigel Cornford, Nina Cornwall, Natasha Coverdale, Anna Deamer, Beth Forrester, David Fowler, Alelani Goto, Kyungwon Huh, Tonwen Jones, Jisun Lee, Lin Lin, Ya Ping Lo, Ian Oxford, Abigail Riddihough, Birta Thrastardottir, Katerina Waller, Ruth Walton, Amy Williams, Millicent Young.

The textile work in this exhibition has been made in response to research into Japanese sashiko stitched work-wear. In 2003, Michele Walker (textile artist) was awarded a 3 year Arts and Humanities Research Council Fellowship in the Creative and Performing Arts that has enabled her to undertake extensive fieldwork in Japan. Through these visits, she was able to uncover some of the personal histories fundamental to the understanding of these garments, the patterns of which, protected the body both physically and spiritually.

Michele Walker’s research comes at a critical time when the wearing of sashiko is barely within living memory. The lives of elderly makers and specialists, together with their knowledge, skills and traditional landscape of existence is rapidly drawing to a close.

The work in this exhibition has been made in response to Walker’s travels in Japan; not only in search of those ‘lost women’ who made sashiko but also to seek knowledge of the cultural traditions that shaped their lives.

Studies, preliminary models and photographs will provide a valuable insight into her approach to work, alongside several examples of historical sashiko garments.

Major works will include Maker’s Unknown, originally commissioned by Fabrica in 2005. Michele Walker was the recipient of the 2003 Wingate scholarship.

Architectural Drawings, Photographs and part of the PhD project CD.
Faredah Al-Murahhem

Images are displayed for the first time out of Saudi Arabia, the exhibition reflects Faredah’s journey of her master and doctoral works that inspired by these houses. The photos are unique and reflect a layer of history which is no longer exists.

One of the world’s most influential contemporary artists, Kentridge will exhibit a selection of his work including prints, installations and film, in Brighton this autumn. This will be the first time that most of these works will have been shown in the UK, and will constitute his largest exhibition here to date. Born and resident in Johannesburg, Kentridge produced work that engaged in the struggle against Apartheid. Today, his work continues to infuse political sensitivity into the making of his graphic representations and in his filmic and theatrical productions in a manner that discovers politics in the daily traumas and dramas of human experience.

Further information about the exhibition can be found at http://www.brighton.ac.uk/kentridge/exhibition.html

This is a major, international, multi-media festival of the work of the world-renowned South African artist William Kentridge, and a series of concerts by the composer Philip Miller written to accompany films by Kentridge. The festival includes a dual-site exhibition of the artist’s prints, and of his image-projecting installations, a live performance of Miller’s score for the Nine Films for Performance in the Duke of York’s. The use of the artist’s animated films, Homage to George Méliès, as urban sculptures will constitute a dramatic intervention in the urban experience of the city, and will be a challenge to how exhibition spaces are conceived.

Kentridge’s work is remarkable. Firstly, there is its fascinating use of media - theatre design, drypoint prints, opera, animated film, drawing, light projection and refraction, and photograveure. Then there is his incisive engagement with political subject matter.

Over 50 prints and three major installations of the artist’s work will be exhibited. The University of Brighton Gallery, a white cube, modernist space, will be partly folded inside-out by the back-projection of images through the plate-glass wall onto the urban street as a kind of filmic sculpture park.

The films will be presented jointly with the Duke of York’s and the CINECITY festival, and will be accompanied by live performances of Miller’s musical score for chamber orchestra, written expressly for the films, and conducted by the composer. Miller will also speak of his work, and of the challenges of writing for film.

The source of this prodigious talent is, as for any successful artist, a combination of
personal imagination and cultural and social circumstance. Kentridge and Miller still live in Johannesburg. This is the city in which Kentridge was born, and where his formative years and early adulthood were overshadowed by Apartheid. Kentridge comes from a family that was active in the anti-Apartheid struggle: his father defended anti-Apartheid activists, and was lead counsel at the inquest into Steve Biko’s death in 1977.

He developed his own relatively violent style of drypoint etching, while continuing his practice of charcoal drawing. It was the developing relationship between his etched and sketched work and his productions for film and theatre that ensured his growing international reputation in the 1990s.

An international symposium, associated with the exhibition and the performances, will explore the key themes of the artists’ work – personal memory, social context, identity formation, political resistance and artistic representation.

Information: 01273 643084 • www.brighton.ac.uk/kentridge

UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON GALLERY (exhibition)
Symposium HELD AT REGENCY TOWN HOUSE

The challenge confronting artistic representation after the detour of post-modernism is both profound and invigorating. What is the world of art in a world of war, terror and ubiquitous narcissism? If part of the modernist project was the foregrounding of self-reference and self-criticism in art, how can this be usefully preserved while re-engaging with the political? These questions will be debated at the symposium by practitioners, historians, critics and curators.

£80 (limited number of £25 student tickets available)

For further information about the symposium or to book a place please visit http://www.brighton.ac.uk/kentridge/symposium.html