Spike Island Summer 2018
Harriet Bowman
Exhibitions CafĂŠ Events
Nina Beier
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Exhibition Nina Beier European Interiors 21 July to 23 September 2018 Preview: Friday 20 July, 6 – 9pm
Danish artist Nina Beier works with an array of objects that carry particular social histories, from human hair wigs to cigars and mechanical rodeo bulls to luxury soap. By physically challenging these objects in various ways, she investigates how their value is constructed and communicated and reveals implicit power structures. For European Interiors, Beier attempts to confuse and loosen up binary structures such as masculine/feminine, interior/exterior, organic/artificial, global/ domestic. For example, the artist employs real hair wigs grown by women in China and India that have been bleached, permed, dyed, cut, and styled in order to imitate a variety of western hair types. Each wig is framed under glass, shifting its status into that of an image while also emphasising its physicality. Beier uncovers multiple layers of meaning in her objects: what is implied through the intention, use and trading of the objects and perhaps most importantly, what is projected onto them. A central work in the exhibition is the large installation Female Nude (2015).
The seed of the endangered Lodoicea palm tree, native to the Seychelles, is the largest plant seed on earth. Exhibited on a mound of fertilizer, it is anthropomorphised: appearing as hips, a vagina and buttocks. Displaying the object in this way, Beier makes use of fetishized motifs pointing to the violence of globalisation while foregrounding its exoticised narrative: Lodoicea seeds are more frequently collected than germinated. Shown alongside this work is Beast (2018); two motorised rodeo bulls repeatedly perform their act of resistance in a mechanical ballet that simulates the rejection of human domination.
Nina Beier, Beast (2018) Mechanical bull, plastic tanks, baby milk formula. Installation view, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen. Photograph by Sebastian Stadler.
At a timely moment, European Interiors dissects a jumble of power structures that make up our current reality from the most intimate to a global scale.
Nina Beier Choppy layers blunt bang (2016) Human hair wig, painted frame. Courtesy the artist and Croy Nielsen. Photograph by Andy Keane.
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Exhibition Harriet Bowman All Round-er (sad sale) 21 July to 23 September 2018 Preview: Friday 20 July, 6 – 9pm
Harriet Bowman presents a series of new works based on an ongoing narrative about a fictional character called Fled who explores Bowman’s own curiosities for cars, horsepower and the language of equestrian advertising. ‘…as Fled lingered behind the animal, he started to really look at the horse in comparison to his own body… Fled often thought about his own body in comparison to his Audi, but never to a horse...’
Her exhibition includes a series of sculptures which appropriate traditional leatherwork and ceramic techniques. Moulded leather hide sculptures that recall car interiors, saddles and flesh, hang in suspense. Alongside this work is a clay sculpture which is sanded back daily, over many months, reflecting the labour-intensive nature of maintaining a show horse – its shine comparable to a well buffed automobile. Bowman’s talismans – hand -made ceramic horseshoes – offer luck to all.
Bowman’s writing generates symbolic objects that act as physical footnotes to the text. In the exhibition they take the form of a showroom, revealing these objects in a theatrical diorama.
A local tannery, Thomas Ware & Sons, is the site of Bowman’s primary research for this exhibition, influencing her use of leatherwork and also an audio piece inspired by the workers’ bell.
Southcott Cross Country Course. Photograph courtesy the artist.
Related Events In Conversation: Nina Beier
Making Luck Workshop: Harriet Bowman
Saturday 21 July, 2pm Free, booking essential Nina Beier discusses the central ideas explored in European Interiors with Spike Island curator Vanessa Boni.
Saturday 1 September, 2 – 3pm and 3.30 – 4.30pm Free, booking essential Join artist Harriet Bowman to make clay horseshoe sculptures while discussing ideas and folk stories about luck (good and bad). Each horseshoe will later be fired and added to the exhibition.
Exhibition Tour: Nina Beier Saturday 11 August, 2pm Free, no need to book Led by Polly Maxwell, Spike Island / UWE MA Curating student.
Harriet Bowman Ceramic Horseshoe (2018) Photograph courtesy the artist.
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Tannery Tour: Harriet Bowman Wednesday 8 August, 6pm Free, booking essential (This tour includes a 10 minute walk from Spike Island to the tannery) Join artist Harriet Bowman to explore Bristol’s Thomas Ware & Sons tannery. Learn about the processes and production of traditional leather tanneries.
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Events
Studios
Film Screening and Q&A: Selected 8
Bristol Doors Open Days
Behind the Scenes Studio Visits
Thursday 26 July, 6.30pm Free, booking advised Selected 8 is a collection of new film and video works by early career artists, nominated by the artists shortlisted for the Jarman Award 2017.
14–16 September (save the dates) A once-a-year chance to look behind closed doors and discover Bristol’s hidden treasures. Explore fascinating buildings, join guided tours and enjoy a range of events and activities.
Free, booking advised Chat with artists and cultural tenants based at Spike Island, explore their studios and view works in progress during these informal encounters.
Artists in the programme include: Kamile Ofoeme, Hannah Quinlan & Rosie Hastings, Gery Georgieva, Jala Wahid, Tim Bowditch, Matthew de Kersaint Giraudeau & Sybella Perry, Imran Perretta and Rob Crosse.
Full programme coming soon at bristoldoorsopenday.org.uk
Bo Lanyon Saturday 28 July, 2pm Bo Lanyon’s work explores our relationships with conflict, through painting, sculpture, publication and public intervention.
Calling the Shots Saturday 22 September, 2pm Meet the team behind the internationally renowned production company Calling the Shots, who use creative media to engage new audiences and develop talent.
Courtesy Calling the Shots. Photograph by Steve Gear
Test Space Test Space is programmed by studio holders based at Spike Island and offers artists a chance to exhibit new works and test ideas. Artists from within the Spike Island community and beyond are included. Please ask reception for access.
Gery Georgieva The Blushing Valley (2017) Film still. Courtesy the artist
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Courtesy Colin Higginson
Colin Higginson 21 July to 5 August 2018 Preview: Friday 20 July, 6 – 9pm An exhibition using the language of display to explore mundane objects found in the natural environment.
Spike Island Volunteers 1 to 16 September 2018 Preview: Friday 31 August, 6 – 8pm Test Space invites Spike Island Volunteers to display their own artwork.
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Literature
Novel Writers £5 / £3, booking advised Each month we invite a debut novelist to read from and talk about their work in an informal setting. Prior knowledge of the text is not essential. Topics of discussion include theme, structure, inspiration and the craft of writing. These sessions are a great way to discover new writing talent and great books. In partnership with Bristol Festival of Ideas.
Fiona Mozley Elmet Thursday 20 September, 6.30pm Brutal and beautiful in equal measure, Elmet is a compelling portrayal of a family living on the fringes of contemporary society, as well as a gripping exploration of the disturbing actions people are capable of when pushed to their limits.
Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi Kintu Thursday 12 July, 6.30pm Makumbi’s award-winning debut vividly reimagines Uganda’s troubled history through the cursed bloodline of the Kintu clan.
Activities I Am Making Art
Baby Art Hour
Free, booking advised Materials provided, donations welcome These monthly activity sessions are led by artists and take place in Spike Island Café. Visitors of all ages and abilities can try out new techniques and approaches to making art. You are invited to drop in any time during the session.
Friday 13 July, 10 – 11am Friday 21 September, 10 – 11am £3 for the first child in a family group £1 for each additional child All materials provided, booking essential Led by artist Éilis Kirby, these monthly sessions in Spike Island Café are for under-fives and their carers. Come play with colour, shape and texture and learn easy ways to create, using simple methods and materials.
Make Some Noise Together with Laura Phillips Saturday 7 July, 2–5pm Learn how to make your own DIY cinema in this interactive workshop led by artist Laura Phillips and her band Viridian. Create tactile percussive sounds and explore mark making on film.
Playful Assemblages with Natasha Macvoy Saturday 8 September, 2–5pm Balance, prop and combine objects before documenting them as photographs with artist Natasha Macvoy.
Fiona Mozley
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Bronze Casting Workshop with Ore and Ingot Friday 24 to Sunday 26 August, 10am – 5pm, £330 / £280 concessions (two scholarship places are available, see website for details). Limited to 10 places, all materials provided. To book please call 0117 9292266 or visit Spike Island reception. Join Ore and Ingot for a three day introductory course to learn how to cast bronze using the lost wax ceramic shell process. Gain the basic skills and handson experience of bronze casting in a safe and supportive environment, and leave with a cast of your own.
Natasha MacVoy Weak at the knees (2009) Picture frame, gloss paint and bought toy.
Calendar
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July Saturday 7 2 – 5pm I Am Making Art p.9 Thursday 12 6.30pm Novel Writers: Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi p.8 Friday 13 10 – 11am Baby Art Hour p.9 Friday 20 6 – 9pm Exhibition Previews: p.2 Nina Beier European Interiors Harriet Bowman All-Rounder (sad sale) p.4 Test Space: Colin Higginson p.7 Saturday 21 2pm In Conversation: Nina Beier p.5 Thursday 26 6.30pm Film Screening and Q&A: Selected 8 p.6 Saturday 28 2pm Behind the Scenes Studio Visit p.7
August Wednesday 8 Saturday 11 Friday 24 to Sunday 26 Friday 31
6pm 2pm 10am – 5pm
Tannery Tour: Harriet Bowman Exhibition Tour: Nina Beier Bronze Casting Workshop
p.5 p.5 p.9
6 – 8pm
Test Space Preview: Spike Island Volunteers
p.7
September Saturday 1 Saturday 8 Thursday 20 Friday 21 Saturday 22
2 – 3pm Making Luck Workshop: Harriet Bowman p.5 3.30 – 4.30pm 2 – 5pm I Am Making Art p.9 6.30pm Novel Writers: Fiona Mozley p.8 10 – 11am Baby Art Hour p.9 2pm Behind the Scenes Studio Visit p.7
Support us
Thank you
Volunteer Join our dynamic team of volunteers and make a significant contribution to the work we do, while gaining valuable work experience within the arts. Apply online at www.spikeisland.org.uk / opportunities
Spike Island is a registered charity (no. 1003505). Spike Island gratefully acknowledges support from Arts Council England and Bristol City Council.
Donate Spike Island is a registered charity (no.1003505) working to nurture artistic talent and bring artists and audiences together. Your gift, via our website or at one of our donations boxes, supports free entry to exhibitions, educational activities, subsidised studios and artists’ development. Equipment Hire We have a comprehensive range of production and presentation equipment available to hire including HD projectors, video cameras and lenses, and exhibition audio. Our edit suite is also available for dry hire or with an experienced editor to suit your project. Find out more at www. spikeisland.org.uk / equipment-hire
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Nina Beier’s European Interiors is supported by the Danish Arts Foundation. Soap is generously supplied in-kind by Soapworks ltd. Harriet Bowman’s All Round-er (sad sale) is supported by The Gane Trust and Thomas Ware & Sons Ltd. Selected 8 is produced by videoclub and Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network, supported by Arts Council England and Film London. Novel Writers is produced by Spike Island in partnership with Bristol Festival of Ideas.
Cover images Nina Beier, Layered side-swept ombre (detail) (2015) Human hair wig, painted frame. Courtesy the artist and Croy Nielson. Photograph by Andy Keane Southcott Cross Country Course. Courtesy Harriet Bowman.
Book for events online at www.spikeisland.org.uk, call 0117 929 2266 or visit reception.
Also available in large print. Ask at reception, email admin@spikeisland.org.uk or call 0117 929 2266.
Spike Island
Visitor Information
Spike Island is an international centre for the development of contemporary art and design. A vibrant hub for production, presentation and debate, it invites audiences to engage directly with creative practices through participation and discussion.
Gallery open Tuesday to Sunday, 12 – 5pm (during exhibitions only). Admission to the gallery is free. Prices for events vary, please see individual listings for details. Café open Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 5pm. @spike_cafe
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Booking Information Book for events online at www.spikeisland.org.uk, call 0117 929 2266 or visit Reception.
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