Spike Island Autumn 2015
Exhibitions Café Events
8004 -- 8019
Charlotte Prodger
Charlotte Prodger Stoneymollan Trail (2015) Video stills
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Exhibitions
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Charlotte Prodger 8004 -- 8019 10 October to 13 December 2015 Preview: Friday 9 October, 6–9pm, and afterparty
Charlotte Prodger is recognised for her audiovisual practice using equipment selected for its specific technological capacity, design history and subcultural aesthetics. In her largest solo show to date, she presents a new body of sculptural objects balanced by the feature length Stoneymollan Trail — Prodger’s first single channel video. The exhibition (titled 8004 - 8019 in reference to the RAL colour codes that Prodger has used here) builds upon her impulse for listing, incremental sequencing and the mapping of co-ordinates. The grid is an ever-present motif in her work. Rectilinear pattern is used as a formal constraint for subjective narrative content that is often messy and slippery, shifting around in time and place. Moving between and blending the native aspect ratios of her mixed sources, Stoneymollan Trail comprises material from multiple formats: a personal archive of deteriorating miniDV tapes; high definition camera footage; iPhone videos; screenprinted graphic forms and recorded voice over. Stoneymollan Trail uses the geometry of the 16:9 (widescreen) and 4:3 (standard) aspect ratios as a way of bringing the spatial concerns of her former multi-monitor installations into the linear constraints of the single screen.
The physicality of the screen is brought into focus as a measure and mediation of subjectivity. Stoneymollan Trail considers screens both as objects in the world (monitors, windows, folding screens), layered internal rectangles within the video, and as framing devices through which culture and reality are shaped. Landscape is a recurring motif throughout this video, which traces a recent history of the medium of video as well as the artist’s personal history. The sculptural objects made for Spike Island see Prodger using vertical and horizontal pictoral planes to consider screens as various ways of punctuating architectural space; blocking, dividing and revealing as the viewer navigates their way through the galleries. As Stoneymollan Trail uses the intimate physical materiality of video to frame autobiographical content, Prodger’s sculptural objects draw upon industrial materials and processes (aluminium, haulage tarpaulins, Perspex, powdercoating, RAL charts) and more traditional binary grid systems to think about the relationship of technology to landscape and the human body.
Charlotte Prodger Stoneymollan Trail (2015) Video still
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Art Weekender
30 October to 1 November The Art Weekender — Bristol & Bath is a three-day celebration of visual arts across two cities, with over 50 arts venues, artist-led groups and arts producers. Visit www.artweekender.com for the full programme.
Paul Purgas, musician and curator Saturday 24 October, 2pm Paul Purgas discusses the use of sound and technology in Charlotte Prodger’s exhibition, approaching it from his interest in structural/materialist practices in filmmaking and experimental music. Elisa Kay Curator and Spike Associates Programmer Saturday 28 November, 2pm Elisa Kay gives a tour of 8004 - 8019 with particular reference to landscape and the work of the artist Nancy Holt (1938–2014), a pioneer of American land art and an influential figure for Charlotte Prodger.
UWE/ Art in the City Talk Charlotte Prodger Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA Wednesday 4 November, 6.30–8pm £6/£4 concessions Free for UWE staff and students with ID Call Arnolfini 0117 917 2300 or visit www.arnolfini.org.uk to book Charlotte Prodger discusses her practice and current Spike Island exhibition, 8004 - 8019.
Film Screening and Conversation Nancy Holt, Revolve (1977) Introduced by Charlotte Prodger Friday 30 October, 6pm £5/£3 (free for Associates) Booking advised Charlotte Prodger introduces Revolve, a video by seminal American land artist Nancy Holt. Through multiple camera angles and minimal repetition, Holt presents her friend David Wheeler’s intimate story of his battle with leukemia, and effectively projects the personal into the conceptual. Exhibition Tours Friday 30 October, Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, 2pm Free, booking advised Informal introductions to the current exhibition.
A nesting Spotted Flycatcher Courtesy the RSPB archive
Exhibition Tours Free, no need to book Informal introductions to the exhibition, led by invited guests and members of the Spike Island community.
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Cunae: A Lecture on Nesting Sunday 1 November, 7pm Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL Free, booking advised Artist Andy Holden and his father, ornithologist Peter Holden, present a performative lecture on the ingenuity and diversity of nest building. Including field recordings, film archives and museum collections, this special one-night event is a collaboration between art and science, father and son.
Late opening of exhibitions Enjoy longer opening hours at Spike Island during the Art Weekender: 11am–7pm on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November.
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Events
Night of the Fellows Tuesday 6 October, 6pm Free, booking advised Each year Spike Island offers fellowships to promising graduates of the University of the West of England, Falmouth University and Plymouth College of Art. We look forward to welcoming four new Graduate Fellows for 2015–16: Esme Boggis and James Lee join us for a year, while Nicholas Popham from Falmouth University and Andy Cluer from Plymouth College of Art undertake a three-month residency. Night of the Fellows sees them introduce themselves alongside outgoing fellows Simon Hood and Steph Li (UWE) and Edward Hill (Falmouth University), who recall their experiences and discuss plans for the future.
Nicholas Popham Atocha (eng. subs) (2015)
Artist’s Talk Ami Clarke Thursday 12 November, 6pm £5/£3 (Free for Associates) Ami Clarke is an artist and founder of Banner Repeater — a reading room with a public and digital Archive of Artists’ Publishing and project space, located on a platform at Hackney Downs train station, London. She talks about her work with a focus on postdigital art production, publishing, distribution and dissemination.
Creative Time Summit 2015 (Live Stream)
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Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November Free, booking advised See www.spikeisland.org.uk for full schedule The second Creative Time Summit of the year maintains its focus upon the idea of curriculum. Taking place inside the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, New York, the summit engages a broad range of international speakers, from politicians to artists, on topics of pedagogy, knowledge, and learning. As the summit unfolds, watch the live stream inside our free screening space and join in with additional guest-led discussions.
Ursula Mayer Medea (2013) Film still
Film Screening Ursula Mayer Tuesday 24 November, 6.30pm £5/£3 (free for Associates), booking advised Ursula Mayer, London-based artist filmmaker and winner of the 2014 Derek Jarman Award for radical filmmaking, creates cinematic works that are rich in historical resonance. This screening includes Mayer’s recent films Medea (2013) and Gonda (2012), alongside the short works Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight (2010) and Cinesexual (2013). Mayer’s work often challenges gender boundaries and expectations resulting in complex and autonomous statements, or even speculations, on the contemporary human condition. This screening is presented as part of the ICA Moving Image Network.
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Studios
Behind the Scenes Studio Visits
Novel Writers £5/£3 concessions, booking advised Each month we invite a debut novelist to read from and talk about their work in an informal setting. Extracts are available in advance but prior knowledge of the texts is not essential. These sessions are a great way to discover new writing talent and great books. In partnership with Bristol Festival of Ideas.
Free, booking advised Chat with artists based at Spike Island, explore their studios and view works in progress at these informal encounters. Saturday 21 November, 2pm Harriet Bowman and Simon Olley Harriet Bowman shares her new and recently exhibited work which takes the form of image, installation, text and video. Simon Olley talks about using found imagery to produce collages and videos that fragment and repeat to create new surfaces and meaning.
Literature
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Max Porter Grief is the Thing with Feathers Harriet Bowman TTNWpart1.jpg = This time next week, part 1 (2015) Installation view
Thursday 29 October, 6.30pm In a London flat, two young boys face the unbearable sadness of their mother’s sudden death. Their father, a Ted Hughes scholar and scruffy romantic, imagines a future of well-meaning visitors and emptiness. In this moment of despair they are visited by Crow — antagonist, trickster, healer, babysitter. ‘I found it utterly astonishing. Truly, truly remarkable. At once deeply affecting and fiercely intelligent, an elegy and a celebration …’ Nathan Filer, author
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 at reception for access. Episodes in Cultural Imperialism: The Democratic Republic of Free People(s) 3 to 11 October Event: Friday 9 October, 6–9pm An exhibition made in collaboration with Spike Island volunteers, focusing on the independent country The Democratic Republic of Free People(s), founded by its democratic leader, artist Simon Hood.
Simon Hood presents: 100 Paintings of Ringo Starr 17 October to 3 November Preview: Friday 16 October, 6–9pm Simon Hood presents 100 Paintings of Ringo Starr, a body of work inspired by the metamorphosis of Richard Starkey who emerged from a year-long coma aged six with an interest in percussion, later becoming the lovable popstar drummer in The Beatles.
Conversation Pieces 20 November to 13 December Conversation Pieces presents new work by Spike Island studio holders, formed through a communicative process between artists who have visually responded to each other’s practice. Curated by Georgia Hall, Spike Island/UWE MA Curating student.
Claire-Louise Bennett Pond Thursday 19 November 6.30pm Feverish and forthright, Pond is an absorbing chronicle of the pitfalls and pleasures of a solitudinous life told by an unnamed woman living on the cusp of a coastal town. Broken bowls, belligerent cows, swanky aubergines, trembling moonrises and horrifying sunsets, the physical world depicted in these stories is unsettling yet intimately familiar and soon takes on a life of its own. Captivated by the stellar charms of seclusion but restless with desire, the woman’s relationship with her surroundings becomes boundless and increasingly bewildering. ‘These stories are intelligent and funny, innovative and provocative, and it’s impossible to read them without thinking that here is a writer who has only just begun to show what she can do.’ Eimear McBride, author
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Activities
I am Making Art Free, no need to book These monthly activity sessions are led by artists and take place in the Spike Café. Visitors of all ages and abilities can try out new techniques and approaches to making art, from drawing and painting to collage, sculpture and animation and are invited to drop in any time during the session.
The Drawing Exchange Saturday 3 October, 12–4pm Bring a stamp and a friend’s postal address along to this drawing workshop, led by Kayle Brandon of the Drawing Exchange. Through a series of group drawing exercises, create collaborative letters ready to post at the end of the workshop. Jo Lathwood Saturday 7 November, 12–4pm Test the possibilities of making and using iron oak gall ink — one of the oldest natural inks made from simple foraged ingredients — and experience its black lightfast quality which makes a particularly unique mark. Anna Marrow Saturday 5 December, 12–4pm Make your own Christmas cards, wrapping paper and tags, using simple and effective printing techniques, with guidance from Spike Print Studio member Anna Marrow.
Baby Art Hour
Jo Lathwood Blind View #3 (2015)
Friday 23 October , 10–11am Friday 20 November, 10–11am Friday 18 December, 10–11am £3 per child All materials provided, booking essential Led by Éilis Kirby, these monthly sessions in Spike Café are for under fives and their carers. Play with colour, shape, texture and easy ways to create, using simple methods and materials you can usually find at home. The gallery opens at 11am so you can look around the current exhibitions after the session (excluding December).
Opportunities Camera Buff: Film commissioning opportunity for young people Do you have ambitions to work with film? Camera Buff is Spike Island’s online commissioning strand of experimental films specifically for 16–24 year olds based in the South West of England. Camera Buff offers you the support, funds and professional experience needed to develop your early ideas into a broadcast quality short film while also expanding your knowledge and experience of experimental film. Camera Buff is part of the Random Acts South West Network Hub led by our partners Calling the Shots. To apply, or for more information, visit www. spikeIsland.org.uk or email admin@spikeisland.org.uk. We run application rounds twice yearly until 2018.
Patrick Staff The Foundation (2015) Production still Co-commissioned by Spike Island and Chisenhale Gallery Photograph by Max McClure
ARTiculation Prize 2016 Let’s talk about art! Are you interested in art and want to improve your ability to talk about it? Apply to The ARTiculation Prize, a nationally acclaimed event aimed at sixth form students to promote engagement with art. The competition develops your ability to analyse art, express thoughts and deliver opinions through short presentations on your choice of art, artefact or architecture. A regional heat takes place at Spike Island on Monday 18 January, 2.30–5pm. Organised in association with The Roche Court Educational Trust. To apply, or for more information, visit the Spike Island website or email admin@spikeisland.org.uk. Deadline 9 November 2015.
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Coming soon
Support us
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Reto Pulfer MMMS Reticulum Gewässerzeiten (2015) Photograph by Max McClure
Michael Simpson Leper Squint (2015)
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.
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
Artist editions 16 January to 27 March 2016 Preview 15 January, 6–9pm In his largest exhibition to date, Michael Simpson shows work spanning the last 25 years alongside new works. Simpson makes large scale paintings in an ongoing series that repeat and rework a number of key elements which relate to his interest in the infamy of religious history. His austere bench painting series (1989–2009) was made as a homage to the Neapolitan renegade philosopher Giordano Bruno, burnt at the stake by the inquisition in Rome’s Campo dei Fiori in 1600. The bench itself serves as a fixed coherent form within the paintings, the structure through which Simpson explores the pure language of painting — form, colour composition — through imagery without figures, yet implying a profound human presence.
Reto Pulfer Knochenwesen (Bone Beings) (2015) Photograph by Stuart Whipps
Michael Simpson
A unique and affordable series of artworks created by leading artists on the occasion of new exhibitions at Spike Island, including David Batchelor, Melissa Gordon, Richard Long and Patrick Staff. Each edition is made in support of the artists we work with and our exhibitions and events programme. New editions now available include Reto Pulfer’s Knochenwesen (Bone Beings) (2015), a limited edition of eight Raku ceramics, each unique and produced specifically for his solo exhibition Gewässerzeiten. The edition was created during a live performance by the artist using the traditional sixteenth-century Japanese technique called Raku. Available to purchase at £200.
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Calendar
October Saturday 3 12–4pm I am Making Art Tuesday 6 6pm Night of the Fellows Friday 9 6–9pm Exhibition Previews: Charlotte Prodger, 8004 -- 8019 Test Space: Episodes in Cultural Imperialism 9pm–11pm Party Friday 16 6–9pm Test Space: Simon Hood Friday 23 10–11am Baby Art Hour Saturday 24 2pm Exhibition Tour Thursday 29 6.30pm Novel Writers: Max Porter Art Weekender — Bristol & Bath Friday 30 2pm Exhibition Tour Friday 30 6pm Film Screening and Conversation: Nancy Holt, Revolve introduced by Charlotte Prodger Saturday 31 2pm Exhibition Tour
November Sunday 1 Sunday 1
2pm 7pm
Exhibition Tour Cunae: A Lecture on Nesting
Saturday 7 Thursday 12 Saturday 14 Sunday 15 Thursday 19 Friday 20 Saturday 21 Tuesday 24 Saturday 28
12–4pm 6pm 10am–5pm 10am–5pm 6.30pm 10–11am 2pm 6.30pm 2pm
I am Making Art Artist’s talk: Ami Clarke Creative Time Summit (Live Stream) Creative Time Summit (Live Stream) Novel writers: Claire-Louise Bennett Baby Art Hour Behind the Scenes Studio Visits Film Screening: Ursula Mayer Exhibition Tour
12–4pm 10–11am
I am Making Art Baby Art Hour
Spike Film and Video Spike Film and Video provides specialist exhibition, production and postproduction services to the art and heritage sectors. Our team works nationally and internationally with artists, arts organisations, galleries and museums on the development and delivery of their moving image projects. For more information visit www.spikeisland.org.uk/ spike-film-and-video Spike Island is a registered charity (no. 1003505). Spike Island gratefully acknowledges support from Arts Council England and Bristol City Council.
Thank you We wish to thank Patrons of New Art Bristol for their support: Jerry Cowhig MBE, Professor Alex Gilkison, Mike Jackson, Lance Moir, Esther O’Callaghan OBE, Zoe Sear, Craig White, Iwan Wirth and those who wish to remain anonymous.
Charlotte Prodger’s exhibition 15 8004 - 8019 is co-commissioned by Spike Island and Electra, with support from Creative Scotland and The Henry Moore Foundation. With thanks to The Elephant Trust, courtesy of The George Melhuish Bequest. Stoneymollan Trail was commissioned by Glasgow Film through the Margaret Tait Award, supported by Creative Scotland and LUX. The artist wishes to thank Rayne Booth, Luke Collins, Matt Fitts, Isla Leaver-Yapp, Steff Norwood, Casey O’Connell, Panel, QD Plastics, Irene Revell, Sonic Stainless, Linsey Young. Andy Holden’s Cunae: A Lecture on Nesting is commissioned by Spike Island and Artangel with the support of Bristol 2015 European Green Capital. This is the first phase of the commission. The next phase will be presented by Artangel in 2016. The Art Weekender – Bristol & Bath is produced by Situations with support from Bristol and Bath Cultural Destinations.
This programme is available in large print. Ask at reception, email admin@spikeisland.org.uk or call 0117 929 2266.
December Saturday 5 Friday 18
Plymouth College of Art
The Roche Court Educational Trust NewArtCentre.
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.
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