including author of Estates Lynsey Hanley and “DIY enthusiast” Pete Ashton.
Churn, but good churn… An archivist at Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery has uncovered these images showing the aftermath of a 1970s terrorist bomb blast. Dating from 4 January 1974, the images show Ikon’s then-director Simon Chapman clearing up shards of broken glass whilst nervously smoking a cigarette. At this time Ikon was housed in a shop unit in the West Court of the Birmingham Shopping Centre (now the Pallasades), adjacent to an army and navy recruitment office – the likely intended target for the bomb. Jane Morrow, Ikon Gallery’s Archivist, is asking the public for any memories they have of the bombing to help inform an oral history project into the period : “We’re looking for stories from the people of Birmingham who remember Ikon during the 1970s, from stand-out exhibitions to incidents such as the bombing. We have plenty of official records – what I’d love to hear now are your stories and reminiscences.” Contact Jane Morrow on 0121 248 0708 or email j.morrow@ikon-gallery.co.uk The memories will form part of an archive collection to be presented alongside Ikon’s next exhibition, This could happen to you: Ikon in the 1970s. A retrospective of the gallery’s programme from 1970-1978, it will...
Ikon’s These are a few of my favourite things talks where cultural peoples from Brum get to reveal things that inspire or interest them — they’re short (an hour) and free — and well worth a look. Here’s who’s coming up in the next couple of months: Wednesday 9 June – Ikon Youth Programme participants Wednesday 16 June -Jonathan Coe, author of The Rotters’ Club Wednesday 23 June – Ruth Claxton, Birmingham-based artist Wednesday 30 June – Laura McDermott and Harun Morrison, Joint Artistic Directors of Fierce Festival Wednesday 7 July – James Langdon, designer Wednesday 21 July – Anthony Cartwright, Dudley-born author of The Afterglow Wednesday 28 July – Lynsey Hanley, writer and journalist for The Guardian All 6.30-7.30pm at Ikon Free admission (reserve by calling Ikon on 0121 248 0708)
The Ikon reminded us on Twitter today about MACE — that’s the Media Archive for Central England. They mentioned a Bull going mad in Digbeth, and as luck would have it here it is running amok: Get the Flash Player to see this content. Sadly even then, Digbeth didn’t have any china shops for it.
The Flatpack Festival draws out another gem with a screening of Privilege — on 16mm at Ikon Eastside on Sunday 15 March. The film is a 1967 exploration of the power of fame, and has depth and darkness not quite communicated in the poster: Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch! Steven Shorter is a pop phenomenon, and his management use him to further all sorts of causes. So far so real — but this pop star is from Birmingham. And the film was shot in part in Brum, including at St Andrews. Not to be missed. There’s parallels here with Slade’s master-work Slade in Flame, but that disappointingly was shot oop north as Dudley’s grit wasn’t quite filmic enough.
I meant to mention this ages ago, but I forgot and I’ve only just remembered now it’s nearly finished: “From 12 – 30 August, Ikon is running a tailor shop in the old Salvation Army charity shop, 3 New Street, Erdington. Led by creative facilitator Jess Worley and local members of the Erdington Arts Forum, the shop will be making small fabric whales designed by pupils from Erdington Hall Primary School. Over the course of the three weeks, eighty-five small whales will be produced to tie-in with the installation of a stunning twenty-five metre long cashmere whale in the centre of Birmingham by Italian artist Claudia Losi from 24 September to 16 November. Everyone is welcome to come along and participate in making the whales over the summer. The shop is open from 11am – 3pm, Tuesday – Saturdays.” Let’s run that past ourselves again: “stunning twenty-five metre long cashmere whale in the centre of Birmingham by Italian artist Claudia Losi from 24 September to 16 November.” Wow.
Found this on teh interwebs: Art up Perrott’s Folly – “Perrott’s Folly has been closed to the public for many years, and this will be the first opportunity to climb the spectacular tower and see paintings and sculpture by Partenheimer installed on each floor”
