January 29th, 2009
The concept for Catalyst has been developed to push the practice of all the residents from the Arches studios in new directions for the start of 2009. The artists have used this opportunity to start and develop these projects allowing the public a glimpse into their ongoing creative practice. The result of these new developments will be exhibited across two exciting shows.
Catalyst Part 1 > 24th January - 1st March 2009
Showing new work by Jonny Hannah, Stuart Rodda, Lizie Ault, Pauline Pratt, Kate Grenyer, James Maher, Roger Jarvis and Joe Ross.
Catalyst Part 2 > 14th March - 19th April 2009
Showing new work by Chris Cudlip, Ingrid Wheeler, April Mahwinney, Jo Lapage, Stephanie Hood, Tania Robertson, Lizzie Jones, Alys Hawkins and Andy MacCallum.
January 28th, 2009
Alice Williams > Cyclius 9th May - 21st June 2009
At a space we pride ourselves in giving opportunities to new artists to realise ambitious projects, ‘Cyclicus’ is no exception.
Recent graduate Alice Williams has long been exploring the nature of the moving image and how it can be manipulated to affect the surrounding space. For this exhibition she creates a space within the gallery that is transformed by the artist’s multi channel video installation. As you enter the space the combined effect of the videos and light work to baffle perception and create an all-encompassing optical illusion.
This new project is the result of an ongoing period of development for the artist and will give gallery visitors the chance to experience the work of this significant emerging talent at the earliest stages of her career.
January 27th, 2009
July / August - Cut to the chase! - Group Show - The third annual open exhibition to be held at the Bargate Monument Gallery will feature a diverse range of new work by emerging artists.
Summer Open Exhibition - Call for artists!
Cut to the chase - Should art have a message? If it does, how is it best communicated? Should art shout its message from the rooftops or are subtle and hidden meanings more effective? Can visual art communicate in ways other art forms cannot? How can artists be heard through the overload of visual culture? Why don’t artists just stop dithering and Cut to the Chase?
We would like to see your applications to this years open entry exhibition. For a detailed application pack contact the Bargate Monument Gallery. Final deadline for applicants - 6th April 2009.
September / October - Faith - Pauline Pratt - A participatory exhibition exploring DNA and identity based on the artists ongoing exploration of the connections between art and science.
November / December - Collectible 2 - Group Show - Artists will be invited to exhibit by the galleries curators. Our annual show dedicated to bringing you the best and most collectible artists builds upon the highly successful inaugural year of Collectible in 2008. This exhibition brings you the opportunity to experience and purchase the work of emerging artists, whilst they are still affordable.
October 16th, 2008
Sees Sgt Bargate continue his journey and find in a quite different occupation again. This time he’s a train driver from a classic silent movie scene. The question we need to ask is: Is he trying to stop the train or speed it up?
In September 1910 Charlie Chaplin and Arthur Stanley Jefferson, later to become Stan Laurel, set sail from Southampton Docks on the SS Cairnrona to seek their fortunes in America. They landed in Quebec and took the train to New York. What became of these two young hopefuls has passed into Hollywood Legend. Lesser known however is the disagreement between the two stemming from Laurel’s belief that Chaplin stole and exploited the idea of the ‘tramp’ sketch. The two never spoke again. Disagreements aside the setting of Southampton Docks provided the departure point for two of the finest exponents of the silent movie genre and two iconic careers destined for immortality on the Hollywood walk of fame.
Where next will our brave hero go? If you have any suggestions for the future adventures of Sgt Bargate, please e-mail us, we would love to hear them.
October 16th, 2008
Chocks away! As Sgt Bargate departs for his third adventure. But who is this dashing fellow who had undergone yet another transformation? Why, it’s Sgt Bargate, now a daring Spitfire pilot ready to go out and defend our city from invading forces.
The iconic British plane, the Spitfire was designed by R. J. Mitchell who was chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works in Woolston. Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire saw service throughout the whole of the WW2. It continued to serve as a front line fighter and in secondary roles for several air forces well into the 1950s.
Southampton suffered serious bombing during WW2 but the worst nights were 30th November and 1st December 1940. When 2631 high explosive bombs and 30652 incendiary bombs were fell on the city. During the bombing that night 630 citizens were killed and 1900 injured. 3589 buildings were destroyed and 40000 damaged, it is an amazing fact that the bargate still stands!
October 16th, 2008
Sgt Bargate’s second adventure through English eccentricities and Southampton history sees him in much changed circumstances.
He has taken a lead from Bartletts Travelling Lion Circus, a frequent visitor to the city in years gone by. Although still sporting his fine moustache he is now portrayed with the face of a lion. Possibly from the circus or maybe from the mythical tale of Sir Bevis and the Lady Josian. Sir Bevis, our very own local hero, rescued his Lady from these terrible beasts of Lions who held her captive. They are now tamed and stand guard outside the Bargate to protect the city. In his hand the Sergeant holds Morglay, the magic sword of Sir Bevis. On his death bed Bevis threw the sword and asked to be buried where it fell. The area it landed in is what we call Bevois Valley to this day.
October 16th, 2008
We introduce you to Sergeant Bargate - a handsome and welcoming fellow!
Sgt Bargate finds his beginnings in the history of the building as one of its many uses was as a police station during the early years of the 20th Century. Visitors to the gallery can still see the large wooden police emblem they left behind.
But Sgt Bargate seems to have other things on his mind and is taking a romantic reverie through the history of Southampton. Through the first of his journeys he visits the eccentricities of British comedy and characters from Sherlock Holmes to Basil Fawlty via the Avengers and Benny Hill.
His first adventure features a local boy done good. Alfred “Alfie” Hill was born in Southampton and grew up in Wilton Road, Upper Shirley. Later he changed his name to Benny in homage of his hero, comedian Jack Benny. According to local rumour Tommy Cooper’s mother lived in Shirley - so we will claim him as our own! As for Sid James completing this trio we like to think that as a South African he may have arrived in England on a Union-Castle Line steamer docking at Southampton.
September 16th, 2008
1st October - 2nd November 2008
Billie Cowie
This piece is the final part of the Billy Cowie and Liz Aggiss retrospective commissioned by The Point, complements the recent showing of the projection Men in the Wall at Southampton City Art Gallery.
Visitors to the gallery can expect an extraordinary experience. They will enter the darkened space of the gallery, which is upstairs inside the
Bargate Monument Gallery?, wearing a pair of 3D glasses. A woman projected on the ground in front of them appears to be dancing, solid and real, before their eyes. She performs a short yet captivating dance that ends as the she gradually fades from view. This piece is both exquisite and personal, staying long in the memory after the viewer has left the space.
Billy Cowie is a composer, choreographer and filmmaker who works in a wide variety of art forms. ?Anarchic Dance? a book about his work was published by Routledge in 2006, Cowie’s first novel ‘Passenger’ came out in 2008.
Premiered at Paradiso, Julidans Festival July 2007 Amsterdam, this piece has been shown around Europe and will be shown in Los Angeles in the new year.
?So beautiful & moving a miniature masterpiece?
Alistair Spalding - Sadler,?s Wells.
?The most uncanny thing I have ever seen?
Deborah Levy - Novelist.
?A woman comes slowly towards you from the floor. Her meditative and soft energy involves you into her world and brings you to another dimension of the space. It?s as if you could touch her ? a magical experience.?
Suzy Blok - Artistic Director, I Like to Watch Too (Amsterdam 2007)
www.anarchicdance.com
www.lizaggiss.com
www.billycowie.com
September 12th, 2008
15th November - 21st December 2008
Group Show
Off the back of their growing reputation and the success of the summer ArtVaults season, the arts organisation a space presents an exhibition and programme of events designed to stimulate the growing market for art in Southampton.
In times of economic uncertainty it is often nerve wracking to decide what is throw-away spending and what is a real investment? Collectible gives you the opportunity to buy the work of major artists for the future.
This exhibition will feature the work of a diverse and exciting range of artists, all exhibiting at surprisingly affordable prices. Artists will be announced on this site over the coming weeks.
Collectible: Business
The Bargate Monument Gallery? is available for private hire, throughout the show. How about having your pre-christmas drinks or business networking evening at a beautiful and unusual venue? You can hire the gallery for drinks and functions during Collectible at special discounted rates. All works for sale during these special events are offered at a 10% discount. Contact our office to book an event on 02380 338778 or info@aspacearts.org.uk
Collectible: Late Openings
Thursdays 6-8, from 20th November to 18th December 2008.
An oasis of calm above the Christmas shopping crowds, the Bargate Monument Gallery? will be open late on Thursday evenings throughout the run of the exhibition. Come in and join us, browse around the art works, talk to the gallery staff, you may even find that special Christmas gift. Thursday 18th December will be our Christmas celebration and
discount evening, with mulled wine and mince pies!
January 25th, 2008
30th January - 9th March 2008
Amanda Parker
Parker’s first solo exhibition, presenting a major installation of her work ‘Run, hide in the woods’. This exhibition promises to be an overwhelming sensory experience allowing the viewer to explore a glistening, sickly forest created from strands of melted sugar, filling the centre and full height of the gallery space.
what people said about this exhibition:
‘It’s great to see a piece that changes so much. Yet it’s more and more interesting’
‘Really interesting - tactile and uses all your senses’
‘A fantastic use of space - awesome!’
