THE FAT PUBLICATION: OPEN STUDIOS IN CONTEXT
The Fat Publication: Open Studios in Context
Forward Marion Harrison Are you Open?
there. Experimental practices will sit alongside more traditional activities; there will be collectives whose studios’ raison d’etre is the practice of that studio, at that given moment, in this city with that particular group of individuals.
During 1970’s the ‘studio’ slipped into a ‘post’ studio condition, it had a fallen period and in recent years it has entered a post post studio age. It is now widely understood that a studio is no longer a site just for the production of work Whatever guise the studio takes, from large scale, global to then be exhibited elsewhere. warehouses spanning countries Art is made in many ‘studios’, both physical and virtual and and continents that employ a through collaboration. Many team of assistants to smaller established or emerging studio studios also act as exhibition, workshop, event and social groups housed in owned, rented, permanent or temporary spaces that nurture and develop companionship and spaces to more intimate domestic environments, artists networks. and designers still want to use and occupy studio spaces.
They house a myriad of activities, they are flexible and always open: to visit, to interpretation, to critique, to change.
Rather than question what is a studio, is it more pertinent, in respect of the historical function of artist spaces, to ask Studios should not play a where is the studio, what are the practices of the studio and backstage role to a city’s cultural and creative identity. what shapes these activities? How can they form a tangible and visible dynamic within a During East Street Arts Open Studios weekend you will visit community’s artistic footprint? many types of studio. They will all look and feel different, reflecting in some way the practices that take place
Recent economic shifts, changes in commercial property usage and locations
falling out of fashion have meant that interesting and previously non-designated art spaces have become available for East Street Arts members to use as studio space. How does the location and nature of these temporary spaces influence and activate the practices that take place within them when they become ‘studio space’ year on year? That will be my question when I visit artists and designers in their Open Studios, I know they like questions… What will yours be? Marion Harrison is an artist, lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and East Street Arts studio holder. Contact: madgeharrison@yahoo.co.uk
Studios are flexible and always open: to visit, to interpretation, to critique, to change.
Introduction Lydia Catterall
a combination of considerations: Material, size, shape, placement, audience. It might reference historical, political and social East Street Arts is in this bizarre but brilliant position. Members are contexts, take inspiration from basing their studios in permanent existing works and reflect personal preferences. Though studio buildings, temporary the outcome may come across as spaces, on kitchen tables, park benches and even online. They’re effortless, the decision process making objects, books, paintings, is as intricate as lace. For me, organising an event is no different. textiles, ceramics, live art and theatre. They live in Leeds, Stoke, Coordinating Open Studios has Doncaster, York, Gateshead, been a case of bringing together Wrexham and Stevenage. They lots of strands that make sense couldn’t be much more diverse together, but also creating some in what they’re creating and new loose ends to explore beyond where they’re creating it. This October. There’s a conversation makes Open Studios a logistical bubbling nationally about studio challenge, a huge learning space and we’re an active part opportunity and fantastic of it. We want to contribute. celebration of how artists are Though doors open once a year, living and working right now. the research, development and interest are constant. It’s an It’s a big ask. Open Studios is an invitation to artists to share what is exciting conversation to be part of. normally private and to audiences to explore something unknown. This year, East Street Arts made a commitment to thinking around it, talking about it and making it a chance worth taking. I may be known as a ‘project coordinator’ in this setting, but I’m also an artist. An object made by an artist is realised through a series of decisions that shape it into exactly what it becomes. It’s
Lydia Catterall is an Artist and Project Coordinator for Open Studios at East Street Arts.
Introduction Karen Watson Although Open Studios is a relatively new part of East Street Arts regular programming, I have always personally enjoyed travelling to and visiting artists when they open their place of work. Studios are often found in a range of unusual venues, from office spaces, post industrial and factory buildings, churches, schools, and even multi-storey car parks. Artists invade these underused buildings and make them their own, developing creative and innovative interiors as well as functioning work areas. Open Studio events give us an insight into these buildings, protecting traces of their past lives as well as adopting their new ones. They are often places that we might not ordinarily have had access to.
Studios is that quite often the buildings are in urban and rural areas that you wouldn’t have reason to visit. I have spent many hours delving deeper into residential estates and brutal industrial areas to find, more often than not, worn stairs leading to top floors of, what appear to be, unwelcoming and cold buildings. But once inside there is a kind of magic that happens and you are suddenly in the middle of a very rich and, I feel, privileged experience. Every studio is different because every artist is different. The set-up, interior and approach to individual spaces is never the same. The artists bravely open up access to their new or recent performance or public piece, their paintings in progress, their sources of inspiration, including strange collections, and their hand-crafted and beautiful objects, sometimes for sale. The visit is made complete by the artists talking about their work, having documentation to browse and having tea and cake or beer available.
Since the introduction of the National Lottery in 1994, we also now have a range of funded newbuilds, or refurbished buildings, housing state of the art studios with novelties such as heating and It is the fact you can’t anticipate what you are going to find and lifts. the unique insight of seeing something in progress or hearing The other attraction for me to someone talk about their ideas. It hunting down and visiting Open
is amazing to see the diversity and difference of each artist’s practice and to come away knowing more about artists than you did when you arrived. It took us a long time at East Street Arts to decide to make Open Studios a regular event and find the resources to support this. We wanted a way to articulate what we experience every day - the differences, the disagreements, dialogues and the challenges of what an artist’s studio practice is and why artists need to find time to open their doors. We have just started on this journey and we hope every year to build on the dialogue, context, visitor participation and profiling of what we mean by Open Studios. Karen Watson is a co-founder and Artistic Director of East Street Arts.
Every studio is different because every artist is different.
Studios
Welcome to our HQ: Our central hub. Patrick Studios is East Street Arts’ purpose built building, converted from a former social club and re-opened in 2004. St Mary’s Lane takes you through the growing independent scene in Mabgate; a place we’re proud to be connected to. The kettle is always on.
HUB BASE BRICK B UZZING PROFESSIO NAL AND FRIENDLY CENTRE BUSY SECO ND HOME HEADQUA RTERS HIDDEN TREA SURE TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIOUS CLATT ERY LOFTY WARRE N FLAGSHIP SOCIA L CLUB KITCHEN M
PATRICK S TUDIOS P
Patrick Studios Patrick Studios is a bespoke centre for artists and provides up to 34 quality studio spaces, with additional resource areas, a double height project space and the organisations’ headquarters. It is unique as it addresses artists’ needs for structured support outside of academic institutions and fosters an ethos of professional development. It is a place for artists endeavouring to be professional in their chosen discipline and where a reciprocal culture is encouraged. New relationships and collaborations are established and careers can flourish. Patrick Studios St Marys Lane Leeds LS9 7EH For further information on Patrick Studios call: 0113 248 0040
Patrick Studios is unique as it addresses artists’ needs for structured support outside of academic institutions.
Artists at Patrick Studios Kelly Cumberland Rebecca Catterall Sarah Spanton Paul Miller Andrew Lister Josie Flynn Lydia Haines Norrie Harman Dean Kemp Katy Devine Lorna Johnson Ashley Dean Carla Moss Martha Jurksaitis Dena Marsh Emily Towler Paul Digby
Hondartza Fraga Alfie Strong Filippa Dobson Ben Eaton Victoria Pratt Rose George Richard Warburton Ian Kirkpatrick Kirsty Pearson Beth Gadd John Byrne Teresa Flavin Valerie Zwart Griet Beyaert Matthew Merrick Ceri Stephenson Deborah Sanderson Clare McCormack Rhea Storr
Come and call in, when we are open you will see our sandwich board outside on the pavement, artist Tony Tomlin may be doing some drawings as part of his weekly visit and there is always something to see, pick up or hear about.
FRIENDLY LIGHT LO CAL CHEEKY CARE C ONTEMPORARY COS Y LOCAL NEIGHBOU RHOOD LEARNING W ORKSHOPS HOMELY HEART OF THE COM MUNITY ENTERPRIS E INTIMATE SOCIABL E HUB COMPACT S TART UP OPEN PLA
UNION 10 5 UNION 1
Union 105 Union 105 is situated on Chapeltown Road. It’s remit is to support artists based in the area through it’s seven studios and to deliver a series of commissions that invite artists to develop new work in response to and with the sites, contexts and people of Chapeltown. The small, off the street Project Space hosts work by commissioned artists and partner events. East Street Arts’ Adult and Community Learning programme that offers art classes to a range of people is also administrated and coordinated from Union 105. Union 105 105 Chapeltown Road Leeds LS7 3HY For further information on Union 105 call: 0113 262 6633
Union 105’s remit is to support artists based in the area through its seven studios.
Artists at Union 105 Peter Spence Verity Dolan David Nevard Kehinde Gbolade Natalie Searle Julia D’Albert-Pusey Ellen Burroughs Benjamin Skinner
Based in a pebbledash, prefabricated 1970’s building, along with other creatives such as Pyramid of Arts and Lumen, the venue is a good example of how artists and art organisations can work alongside other businesses. It has an interesting ambiance, and look out for a permanent art work by Daniel Lehan.
BRUTALIST UTILITA RIAN LEAFY SECUR E INDUSTRIAL BL ACK CEMENT CORR IDORS PAINTERS C ERAMICS CREATIVE FUNCTIONAL PRACT ICAL WORKING FAC TORY MULTI FACETE D MULTI STOREY OP EN PLAN TEACHING
BARKSTO N HOUSE
Barkston House Barkston Studios has up to 30 artists based in five units on the third floor of this light industrial building. Studios are open plan and are different shapes and sizes. The most recent unit also includes a dedicated ceramics facility and a classroom that hosts workshops and events. Barkston Studios Barkston House Croydon Street LS11 9RT For further information on Barkston Studios call Patrick Studios on: 0113 248 0040
Barkston House includes a dedicated ceramics facility and a classroom that hosts workshops and events.
Artists at Barkston House Jon Wakeman Karen Watson Paul Hudson Rebecca Appleby Andrea Thoma Liz Neylan James Faulkner Sue Watts Nick Claiden Robert Thompson Greg Townend Valerie Halliwell Gillian Holding Dom Chastney Jamie Williamson Margaret Hanson Katharine Horgan
Stephan Aal Darren Parker Colin Mark Jowitt Lauraine Sweeney Claire Lee Wilma Stone Luke Ingham Daniel Bamford Sarah Hawkins BryonyPenman
If you are nearby, it is worth a visit to the decorative Victorian building that seems to like its new residents! Nine artists have developed a welcoming atmosphere and lively studio environment that houses printmaking, sculpture and painting. You’re guaranteed to find a friendly face with stories to share and a good slice of cake!
HISTORICAL CAFE O RNATE COLLABORA TION DECORATIVE SHARING CELLS BI G IDEAS VICTORIAN HISTORICAL CAFE O RNATE COLLABORA TION DECORATIVE S HARING CELLS BIG IDEAS VICTORIAN H ISTORICAL CAFE OR
GOTHS GO THS GOTH
GOTHS Our newest studio space is on the ground floor of the beautiful Gateshead Old Town Hall. The Sage is based in the building on the floors above and both organisations share a cafe and gallery area. The Old Town Hall has served many purposes since opening in 1870: A Victorian music hall, a venue for tea dances after World War II and, more recently, a temporary home to the Tyneside Cinema. Gateshead Old Town Hall West Street Gateshead NE8 1HE For further information on Gateshead Old Town Hall call Patrick Studios on: 0113 248 0040
The Old Town Hall has served many purposes since opening in 1870: A Victorian music hall, a venue for tea dances and Tyneside Cinema.
Artists at GOTHS Rachel Magdeburg Ed Carter Cath Walshaw Steve Twidle Lynda Dodsworth Dee Shaw Adam Denton Colleen Fernandez Josie Grierson Lianne Bell
Convention, Habit or Custom Lloyd & Wilson Photo by James Sebright
Symposium
Symposium
Guests
Artist’s Union England Theresa Easton is an artist based in Newcastle and a What do artists do? What space founding member Artists’ Union do they need to do it? What England, which launched in would a National Open Studios May 2014. look like? Theresa leads a discussion In response to our on-going around Artists Union research, we invite artists, England and the need for creative thinkers, organisations affordable studios that has and businesses to join us for a been highlighted in members day of discussion, interrogation feedback to the union. She and discovery. We invite will also open a wider debate participants to listen, challenge, around the working conditions observe, discuss and have a of artists (with and without good time! studios) and the need to get organised! A varied and exciting programme addresses ideas of the artist’s studio as a place to Hannah Marsden work and the notion of Open Hannah Marsden is the Adult Studios on a national scale. It Public Programme Assistant is a platform for fresh thinking at the BALTIC Centre for and the start of a wider Contemporary Art. Through conversation. self-initiated curatorial projects, Hannah has developed an interest in the complex social relations of the art world. She has a particular interest in the methodologies behind socially engaged practices that emphasise participation, collaboration and dialogue. Conducting practice-led Thinking, Talking, Presenting, Exchanging.
research into the social dynamics of artistic production and audience engagement in domestic spaces, looking particularly at relationships of hospitality between artist, curator and audience. For the Symposium, Hannah will facilitate a discussion within the hospitable environment of Lloyd-Wilson’s installation. Bruce Davies Bruce Davies is the Director of BasementArtsProject; a not for profit, grassroots organisation based in South Leeds. With a programme of exhibitions, events and artists residencies, they seek to assist the development of artistic practice. Bruce has set up a series of tasks based on his exploration of Bruce Nauman’s thought “If I was an artist and I was in the studio, then whatever I was doing in the studio must be art.” Take on the challenge and see what happens!
Christie Hill Christie is a freelance Producer based in Leeds. She currently works with Unlimited Theatre as their BBC Performing Arts Fellow, as well as Manic Chord Theatre and a range of emerging Live Artists. Her own interests involve using food as a tool for social engagement, which has lead to the recent creation of ‘The Kitchen Table Series’ beginning in December, where a range of performers, speakers and guests will share ideas and conversation over dinner. Christie will be leading the food exchange, a part of the day designed to encourage the exchange of thoughts on the idea of a ‘Studio’. The simple display of tasks and questions are there as offerings to guests, to be used if necessary, to inspire thoughts and create situations in which conversations can be had.
David Cook David Cook is Chief Executive at Wasps Artists’ Studios; a charity that provides affordable studios to support artists and arts organisations. The organisation currently house 800 artists and 23 arts organisations in 17 buildings across Scotland. David will be reflecting on what it means for a single organisation to be spread nationally and whether its possible to foster a sense of community between those involved.
“Once a man has bought or been bought a glass of beer, he has entered an environment in which he is a participant rather than spectator.”
Lloyd & Wilson Toby Lloyd and Andrew Wilson are artists based at the NewBridge Project in Newcastle. Experimenting with the formal framework of the symposium Lloyd-Wilson will construct a functional bar room installation as ‘artist studio’. This informal and familiar environment will disjoint the established hierarchy of guest speaker/audience member and will endeavour to facilitate open discussions. “Once a man has bought or been bought a glass of beer,
he has entered an environment in which he is a participant rather than spectator.” (Mass Observation, The Pub and the People, 1943) Alexia Mellor Alexia Mellor is an artist and Director of Participatory Programming at The NewBridge Project artist studios in Newcastle. Alexia initiated ‘Working Culture Residency’ (WCR); a participatory project exploring the current working climate of the UK culture sector. The project provided opportunities for makers, funders and other cultural sector stakeholders to network and communicate in an informal, co-working situation.
attending the symposium to add and respond to, making their words, drawings and opinions form the content of the library. All books will be ‘borrowed’ on the day and resubmitted to the library at the end of the event. Nicola’s work explores typography and is inspired by handwritten text, people’s opinions and presenting these in an alternative fashion
Marion Harrison Marion Harrison is an artist and lecturer based in Leeds. In 2010, she initiated ‘Short Fuse’; an audio curatorial project consisting of 5 experimental mini residencies which took place within a series of themed studios. The Alexia is bringing the Working work produced during the Culture Residency to Leeds Short Fuse residencies was for our symposium and invites broadcast on Resonance FM. you to take part in a discussion For Marion, the broadcast about it’s future. acts as both exhibition on the airwaves and audio catalogue of the project. Marion will be Nicola Golightly documenting our symposium Nicola Golightly will be and Open Studios weekend, presenting a small library of 30 provoking discussion and books. These blank books will collecting conversation. Make form The Symposium Library. sure you spend some time with They will be available for those her during the day!
Photo by Nicola Golightly
Connie Gallagher Connie Gallagher is an artist and East Street Arts Member based in London.
Leeds University: Faculty of Arts Thanks to Leeds University, Researcher Julie Brown and research students we have She is working on a book titled access to key data through ‘Art Works’. The book came interviews and observations about through analysing how conducted with East Street much time Connie spends Arts studio holders over several working in a part-time job as months this summer. The data an Arts Marketing Promoter will form a backdrop to the day. and how this affects her own approach to making art work. Attendees Her research looks at current Thank you to the 40 plus artistic modes of production in people registered to attend; relation to time spent between we can’t do the day without home, studio, and work. you and your input and we look forward to talking with you and The symposium acts as a point sharing lunch through our food to collate and present her exchange. findings so far. Lester Drake Lester Drake is an artist and a founding member of Assembly House Studios and Project Space; a newly founded artistled space in Leeds. Lester will share his enquiry into why art matters and the role social spaces, both physical and abstract, have to play in this. His thoughts draw on his interest in philosophy and the practical experience of running Assembly House.
The symposium takes place over two venues: Leeds City Gallery The Headrow Leeds LS1 3AA (9am – 3pm) Barkston Studios Barkston House Croydon Street Leeds LS11 9RT (3pm – 5pm)
Mega-Pi単ata - Dominic Mason Photo by Michael Day
Commissions and events
Open Studios Commissions
working within Live Art both regionally and internationally.
A Pop Up - A Hijacking - A Repurposing - An Occupation. Adam has never had a studio of his own with East Street Arts, but rather he has opted to dwell beside the circa 1960’s formica ‘pull-out’ table in the kitchen area of Patrick Studios. This table is where people Text Commission: congregate for lunch or where During the 1950’s, 1960’s, they break-away-from their and 1970’s, the concept of the Open Studio took the form studios for a quick coffee and a chat, or where they to breakof public poetry exchanges; most notably those of the Beat out-to after a long meeting, for further discussion - the second poets, the ‘happenings’ of Andy Warhol’s The Factory and and proper meeting. For the past three years Adam has the experimental jamborees made this location his base of the French literary group OuLiPo. These events were the on and off, you understand. forerunners of modern poetry Invaders - Voyeurs slams. The text commission Participators - Collaborators. responds to this premise and Displaced from his usual spot revisits its history. due to an increase in traffic, Adam has chosen to take over the Meeting Room at Patrick Adam Young Adam Young is an artist whose Studios on 25th and 26th work is rooted in the expansive of October as part of Open Studios. This new environment field of Live Art practises. In is sure to bring with it new addition to his own practice ideas and the chance to make he has been key in setting up new links with new audiences, a number of festivals, venues new potential participators and and digital spaces in and new potential collaborators. around Leeds that promote During Open Studios several commissions for new work to respond to specific aspects of the event will take place. All include engagement with visitors and the broader public.
the empowerment of artists
Nat Searle Nat’s art work is concerned with pieces that are beautifully clear with clean lines. Her work tends to be deceptively simple as she strips away unnecessary detail to reveal an idea in its most basic form. Her research explores the back stories and allows her imagination to create scenarios that will best illustrate the core idea. There is a sense of fun and playfulness evoking reactions, smiles, questions and enjoyment as viewers make their own connections and/or recollections. The commission for Open Studios explores references to the Beat Generation and ‘spontaneous creativity’; and from OuLiPo, ‘imposed constraints’. By combining these themes with the text element Nat has developed an interactive and mobile work using a fridge door and letter magnets. Nat explores text exchange activity in ‘out of context’ locations, recording the interactions these settings might provoke. The imposed constraint will be the letter range available.
There is a sense of fun and playfulness evoking reactions, smiles, questions and enjoyment.
Photo by Adam Young
Mapping Commission: East Street Arts commissioned Teresa Flavin to map its three Leeds studios, to build connections between the communities and to respond visually to them.
artists at all three buildings. From this she created personal mixed-media maps that reflect the fascinating historical and hands-on research she did in each building and its neighbourhood.
Teresa Flavin Teresa Flavin is an artist, illustrator and author of books for children and young people. Her illustrated children’s art historical fantasy trilogy, The Blackhope Enigma series won critical acclaim and was shortlisted for a number of prizes. Her recent novel for teens, Jet Black Heart is a supernatural time travel story set on the North Yorkshire moors and ‘Fossil Coast’. Teresa speaks widely in schools, libraries and at literary festivals. She also leads writing, illustration and bookmaking workshops for young people and adults.
Ceramic Commission: The ceramic facility at Barkston Studios was born out of the recognised need of makers for a bespoke facility for the means of ceramic production both as an entrepreneurial maker and as a learning resource. The facility provides eight specific studios for ceramic makers with kilns, wheels, glaze and plaster area, bespoke mobile storage units and a workshop area. In response to a similar need, East Street Arts is committed to introducing and developing a facility for printing and markmaking onto ceramics and this commission is a starting point.
Teresa’s artworks reflect her love of history, magic and wonders, folk tales and the supernatural. For this commission Teresa recorded information on paper tablecloths presented at a ‘safari’ roving dinner event for
Rebecca Appleby Rebecca Appleby is an establishd ceramicist working with large hand built vessels and forms that reflect her interests in nature and the concept of structure.
She is greatly motivated by urban structural design and the materials used within that field. The surface quality of her work carries references to both industrial and traditional forms of packaging and then motifs are used as a link to her obsession with rigid structure such as diary entries, numerical symbolism and organic matter.
has been working with East Street Arts to develop a more cohesive narrative and resource about Open Studios.
Her works are individual, grand in scale and visual appearance and make for a real conversation piece.
Alison will be present at the Open Studio weekend doing some live blogging and collating observations.
Toolkit and observations Alison McIntyre Alison McIntyre is a visual artist, based in Leeds. She makes work in different ways, with paint, pen & ink, thread and textiles. Playing with colour she is currently a bit obsessed with geometry, in particular curve-stitching which involves sewing thread into card to make geometric patterns and designs. She also makes pen and ink images of buildings, architectural features, allotments and plants. Over the last two years Alison
Her recent contribution resulted in our Open Studio Toolkit, which aims to support all members, wherever their studio is, to get the most out of the event.
Rebecca’s works are grand in scale and visual appearance and make for a real conversation piece.
Photo by Ellen Burroughs
Curated members exhibition International 3 International 3 have been invited to curate a members exhibition for Union 105 Project Space. Selection, discussions and ideas are based on access to East Street Arts members profiles on our website and they have chosen two artists to exhibit. International 3 is an exhibition and project space in Salford, Greater Manchester, U.K. With emerging and established artists, independent curators, galleries and organisations we produce a year round programme of new commissions, solo shows, group exhibitions and events both on and off-site. International 3 also works with a core group of artists, exhibiting and selling their work at national and international art-fairs; brokering exhibition and private commission opportunities. international3.com
International 3 produce a year round programme of new commissions, solo shows, group exhibitions and events.
A Restless Geometry – Fiona Grady & Eleni Odysseos A Restless Geometry brings together the work of Fiona Grady and Eleni Odysseos whose practice is underscored by the exploration and application of geometric principles within both the physical and digital arena.
Closing event Dominic Mason Dominic Mason is an artist based in Sheffield and Scunthorpe in the Yorkshire and Humber region of England. He is co-director of Bloc Projects, Sheffield, and exhibitions officer at 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe. As an artist his work is interdisciplinary, varied and intuitive, often responding to specific spaces or circumstances; an exploration of a universe in which any real answers lay just out of reach.
Fiona’s site-specific wall drawings seek out spaces to inhabit. Using systems of dispersing geometric shapes they respond to the specifics of the permanent architecture within which they are located as well as to temporary For Open Studios, Dominic has conditions such as changes in crafted a piñata that will boldly the quantity and quality of light. hang high in the project space at Patrick Studios. A call out to For Eleni, it is imagined artists for contents has meant architecture and the that the piñata is fit to burst exploration of both artists’ with handmade goodies, ready digital and virtual worlds that to be released on closing night. drive her investigations. Working across animation, collage, drawing, painting and installation her practice finds consistency through an ongoing application of a saturated colour palette and the repeated use of systems of geometric shapes to create dynamic and multi-layered works.
Photo by Totaller
Totaller Tlazolteotller Fiesta Totaller is the name of a collective endeavour that has a shared belief around the aesthetic as a destructive, progressively utopian and totalising force. The group is composed of two core members, Lesley Guy and Dale Holmes, who are concerned with organising the chaosmos of current cultural production. Totaller focuses its energies upon the aesthetics of practice, privileging things as they occur in process as action over product. They deliver aesthetic shocks through taking risks with categories such as credibility, beauty and style. Building from aesthetics found in Futurism, Zurich Dada, Graffiti, Glam, black metal, voodoo psychedelica and pizza menus, exploring approaches to these without irony or selfconsciousness. For the closing event they will create an event based around Aztec ritual and Tlazolteotl the goddess of filth, sexual guilt and purification. Artist Lea Torp Nielsen will collaborate for
this event. A 12 foot high, flat card Aztec/Mayan influenced temple pyramid will conceal priests, making and serving quesadillas. The purpose of this Tlazolteotller Fiesta will be to consume and purge our filth with booze and quesadillas. All of this will be accompanied by Mexican Death Metal music!
Totaller deliver aesthetic shocks through taking risks with categories such as credibility, beauty and style.
Education and learning events Throughout the Open Studios there are many opportunities to get involved and learn new skills. Rebecca Appleby Ceramic course Saturday 25th October 12noon - 3pm Barkston Studios This ceramics course explores different clay surface decoration techniques through the construction of rolled slabs and tiles. Decoration will be used to enhance plates, dish forms and tiles, and you will find out how to do this using slips, under glaze colours and oxides.
Ellen Burroughs Book binding workshop Saturday 25th October 5pm – 7pm Union 105 Heureka! Bind your own custom pocket notebook & never lose an idea again. Throughout history the pocket notebook/sketchbook has played an integral role in the development of many important ideas. Famous thinkers and makers who were never without their pocket notebooks include Leonardo Da Vinci, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Darwin, Ernest Hemingway, Frida Kahlo, Mark Twain, Pablo Picasso, Nelson Mandela & Isaac Newton. Union 105 studio artist Ellen Burroughs is interested in the moment in which an idea is found and how it is initially articulated or recorded. For this free, drop-in workshop she invites people to measure and bind a notebook of their own to fit a specific pocket, using traditional bookbinding techniques, tools and materials.
Porto artists Artists talk Saturday 25th October, 5pm Patrick Studios Six artists based in Porto will be visiting East Street Arts Open Studios and Leeds for a few days as a research trip. They are working on a new project for Leeds and will give a talk about their work. Alexandra Garcia Printing course Sunday 26th October 12noon – 3pm Patrick Studios Alexandra is based in Santander in Spain and runs an impressive print workshop she has set up and manages. She will take you through several processes that explores printing on to 3d objects.
Nichola Pemberton and JennyAnne Smith Drop-in and explore your own creativity Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October, 1pm – 5pm Patrick Studios and Barkston Studios Nicola and JennyAnne will be developing workshops over the two days aimed at all ages and abilities that explore the studio environment through paper. Linked to the Big Draw (The theme is: It’s Our World, a celebration of our environment).
Your feedback We hope you enjoy engaging with artists, looking around their spaces, stopping for tea and cake and learning something new. We are interested in knowing more about your visit, what you got up to and thought. All your feedback is taken seriously and helps us build even better events next time, so please don’t be shy... Fill in a form available at all venues. Do a doodle, drawing or leave a message on our tablecloths while you have a cuppa. Update our blackboard with a thought for the day. Email us at: staff@esamail.org.uk Twitter: @EastStreetArts Facebook: EastStreetArts Always a big thank you for your visit, time and involvement!
Closing words
another street. That street has an alleyway to drift into. Endless!
We leave some closing thoughts to Artistic Director, Jon Wakeman.
The most interesting way to explore a city is not through tourist destinations, but to be guided by art: Venues, installations, studios and interventions. Following the art takes you into all the areas you think you know and shows you a whole other side. Streets, buildings, making mistakes, ending up in someone’s flat, feeling confused, amazed, frustrated. That process always throws up the treasures that you hadn’t expected to find.
There is always a distinct and satisfying fascination of being presented with a map of a city. It doesn’t matter which city it is, though it’s always intriguing when it’s a new one (city or map) and one can start to mentally explore the shapes, colours and patterns of a yet unexplored landscape. Old maps are really interesting, especially when it’s a place you know well. They highlight what has changed and the creation of new areas, while others may have disappeared altogether. You never truly know what you’ll find and the expectation a map gives you about a place is only fully realised when you actually visit. Visiting Google Earth’s street view can't replace experiencing the noises, smells and weather that make a place and fill the senses. However well you know the city, you’ll always find another area you’ve not been to. Then when you visit that bit, there’s always
So let us discover our cities through art and with artists. Jon Wakeman is a co-founder and Artistic Director of East Street Arts.
change through creativity registered charity 1077401 eaststreetarts.org.uk @eaststreetarts