Goldlink The magazine of the Goldsmiths Society
Issue 25
Keeping you in touch with Goldsmiths
Ben Pimlott Building Opening
Julian Clary
Development News
July 2005
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welcome
Welcome from the Chairman
Welcome from the Warden
Welcome to this latest edition of Goldlink and my first as the new Warden of the College. I am encouraged to know that so many of you like to keep in touch with the College’s progress and hear about what is going on. I am a social historian and spent many years at the University of Essex, the last five as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, before becoming Chief Executive of the Arts & Humanities Research Board in 2002 and taking it to full research council status just before I left in April to join Goldsmiths. Goldsmiths is an immensely exciting institution. I’ve been struck by how proud staff and students are of the College, a pride shared by those who have been here in the past. It is lively and innovative, operating at the cutting edge of new ideas in so many areas, in creative and cultural practice and analysis but a great deal more as well. Like all university institutions, Goldsmiths faces challenges in the coming years. It must strengthen its strategic focus and its financial situation if it is to succeed in the face of those challenges, but it is such a remarkable place with such a fine national and international reputation that I know that we will do so. Goldsmiths has recently strengthened its alumni programme and we are in the process of writing to each of you for information that will enable us to improve the frequency and the relevance of our contact with you. The Development Office is keen to improve the way former students interact with the College, whether by your offering to pass on careers advice, or by sending you information about further study opportunities and invitations to College events. I’m proud and excited to have joined Goldsmiths, and look forward to meeting many of you in the future.
Professor Geoffrey Crossick Warden
Welcome to the new issue of Goldlink. A special welcome goes to Professor Geoffrey Crossick, the new (and eleventh) Warden of the College, who takes the place of the late Professor Ben Pimlott. He is a historian who has specialised in the social history of Britain and Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Goldsmiths is fortunate to have such an eminent figure as its new Warden. If you have not visited the College recently, come and see the newly opened Ben Pimlott Building, which will be open to the public as part of Open House London on the 17-18 September. The building houses visual arts, computing, and media laboratories. The contemporary ‘scribble’ has made it a striking feature on the sky line in this part of South-East London. We are always interested to hear where our alumni are and what they are doing. This edition features Goldsmiths alumni who have attracted attention from the national press. You will also find news from the Students’ Union, including information about an associate membership card giving alumni access to sports and bar facilities. I am delighted to welcome Claire Norden, who will be working with Stephen Clarke in the Development Office. As Alumni and Events Officer, Claire will work specifically on the alumni programme. We’re grateful to all who have returned our questionnaire and offered their services to the Society. It is always important for us to maintain contact with you and for you to tell us what you are doing – and how you are doing!
Revd Dr Peter Galloway Chairman of the Goldsmiths Society
contents
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News Features
College News
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Dean Lecture 2005
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Ben Pimlott Building Opening
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Development News
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An Audience with Julian Clary
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Design Shows 2005
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Students’ Union News
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Goldsmiths Society Services
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AlumniVaria
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Alumni News
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Obituaries
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Page 4
Page 9
Page 5
Compiled and edited by Claire Norden, Stephen Clarke and Rosie Dewhurst. Designed by Elizabeth Ogden, Reprographic Unit. Printed by The Colour Works Printing Company Data Protection All information submitted will remain confidential to Goldsmiths and is kept in accordance with the provisions of the 1998 Data Protection Act. Your information will be used to keep you informed about alumni and fundraising activities at Goldsmiths and for the promotion of benefits and services
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Contributions are welcomed and any editorial material should be addressed to the Development Office. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your material returned. No responsibility can be taken for any loss or damage. The Goldsmiths Society, Development Office, Goldsmiths College, University of London, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, UK. Telephone 020 7919 7069, fax 020 7919 7903, e-mail goldsoc@gold.ac.uk, www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni/
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Ben Pimlott Building Opening ‘Sophisticated but very Goldsmiths…’ On 21 June nearly 400 people gathered for the official opening of the Ben Pimlott Building. The impressive official opening was attended by local councillors, funding partners, representatives from other higher education establishments in London and beyond, honorary fellows, alumni, staff and students. Guests were invited to tour the building where, on the top three floors and ground floor the undergraduate visual arts shows where exhibited. There were demonstrations in the digital studios, demonstrations in the Visual Arts Laboratories and displays in the Centre of Computation, Cognition and Culture which allowed guests to have a real insight into how the building was being used. The guests left impressed, not just with the building but also with the friendliness of the event. In his welcome speech Professor Geoffrey Crossick praised Ben’s vision and tireless work which captured one exciting dimension of Goldsmiths. Professor Crossick also mentioned how the new building sends out powerful messages, not just to the College but to the community around Goldsmiths and the creative industries. Goldsmiths alumnus, Turner Prize winner and sculpture Antony Gormley performed the opening ceremony. He commented on how Goldsmiths was like a work in progress, always pushing the boundaries, with the scribble on the top of building setting it apart from other institutions and reaffirming Goldsmith creativeness. There was just one person missing from the celebrations, the late Ben Pimlott, who would have been very proud of the building. The Ben Pimlott Building defiantly serves as a fine tribute to his commitment to Goldsmiths.
Dave Harvey
Below left to right, Jean Seaton (Ben’s wife), Antony Gormley, Professor Geoffrey Crossick (Warden), Will Alsop (Architect), Cllr Steve Bullock (Mayor)
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An Audience with Julian Clary
On Tuesday 14 June former Goldsmiths student Julian Clary returned to the College for the first time, since graduating in English and Drama in 1980. His opening comments, in front of a packed George Wood Theatre were of surprise, that in over 20 years the Drama Department hadn’t changed. The theatre seat he sat on, on his first day was still there, together with the chairs in the dressing room; he even thought they might be using the same Lightbulbs! Although he did recall the George Wood Theatre being bigger, when it fact it appeared very intimate.
Julian Clary above and right, with Goldsmiths alumni, Margaret Steinitz and Michael Pipe
Since appearing as Elliot in ‘Private Lives’ on the George Wood Theatre stage, Julian has gone on to be one of Goldsmiths most successful alumni, and one of the most recognisable figures from the world of entertainment today. He starred in the television series Strictly Come Dancing getting through to the final, and has recently presented the National Lottery live. A far cry from the timid, tee-total young man that turned up at Goldsmiths in 1977 after being taught by monks at St Benedict’s in Ealing. Julian talked about his new autobiography A Young Man’s Passage recalling and reading tales form his school days right up to the infamous comment he made about Norman Lamont in 1993. He recalled his time at Goldsmiths with fondness and recounted his student antics. Whilst here, Julian, together with a couple of friends, virtually took over the Drama Society, tailoring it to their needs and choosing the productions. He began to drink beer, made friends and learnt how to dress!
Dave Harvey
Julian went on to talk more about his personal life and career, prompting laughs from the audience in the George Wood, followed by a question and answer session. When asked what he would be doing in 30 years time, Julian was unsure he would still be around! However in 20 he hoped to be living in a house he designed, built on an acre of land he recently bought in Nicaragua.
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Arts Award for Goldsmiths ’Pontic’ Lyra player Matthaios Tsahourides, a Greek Pontic Lyra player currently studying for an MPhil/PhD in performance related studies, has won one of five 2005 Arts Foundation Awards. The awards, which are made on the basis of talent and need, assist artists in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales with living and working expenses. Matthaios received his award in the instrumental category, which was aimed at musicians playing in a non-western tradition who live and work in the UK. The Arts Foundation was established in 1990 and supports talented and emerging artists who have demonstrated commitment and professional standing in their art form. Matthaios is delighted with the award: ’It is a big achievement for all of us here in the music department; this is not just a personal award! It is also an international success for Greek traditional music and the first one for the Pontic Lyra, a musical instrument that is still very little known in the world music scene.’ Left to right, Professor John Baily, Konstantinos Tsahourides, Matthaios and Greek singer Athena
The University of London External Programme
Major Research Grant for Head of Anthropology
The University of London, through its External Programme, has a long history of delivering distance learning. The Programme began in 1858; today there are over 32,000 External students studying in over 180 countries.
Goldsmith’s head of anthropology, Professor Nicholas Thomas, is thrilled to have been awarded £530,000 by the prestigious Arts and Humanities Research Council for his project ’Melanesian art: objectives, narratives and indigenous owners’ The project is to be directed by Professor Thomas and Dr Lissant Bolton, Senior Curator of Pacific and Australian Collections at the British Museum. It will undertake a new analysis of the art of the western Pacific, focussing on a largely unstudied collection in the British Museum. The project research will inform two major exhibitions: ’Oceania’, curated by the Hayward Gallery for 2007, which will deal with art and the cross-cultural encounters across the Pacific; and the development of the British Museum’s Pacific Gallery due to open in 2008. ARHC funding will support the project for five years until March 2010.
Students are free to study wherever, whenever and however they like. You choose the rate and pace of your own study. This makes it ideal if you need to travel frequently, have busy periods at work, or need to take time out to spend with your
family and friends. Up to 5 years is allowed for most postgraduate qualifications and examinations can be taken in any one of 660 examination centres worldwide. Over 60 postgraduate qualifications are offered. Subject areas include: Education, Dentistry, Health, Human Resources, Law, Livestock, Finance, Economics, as well as Management-related degrees including an MBA. For further information please contact enquiries@lon.ac.uk or go to www.londonexternal.ac.uk
Alan Little Memorial Prize Dr Carl Levy, Jennifer Buller, Amy Greene, Valerie Little and Professor Frances Heidensohn
Congratulations to Amy Green, Jennifer Bullen and Peter Peri who have been awarded the Alan Little Memorial Prizes for best MA Dissertations. Alan used to work at Goldsmiths and became Head of what was the Department of Social Science and Administration. The prize giving was attended by Alan’s widow Valerie, together with Dr Carl Levy, Head of the Politics Department and other members of College staff.
Peake Awards – Innovation & Success in University Teaching learning experience of students who come into the department via PACE
The Peake awards, recognise members of staff for excellence in teaching. They are funded, through an external contribution, specifically to reward innovation and success in university teaching. Nominations are invited from academic Heads of Department, with each department being allowed to nominate one candidate.
Ms Anna Furse – Drama Department, for her project Performance Research Forum which is a meeting ground for contemporary practitioners, researchers, students and staff within the Drama Department.
Ms Linda France – Media and Communications Department, for her role in supporting the
Dr Pam Odih – Sociology Department, for her outstanding teaching and research work.
Professor Geoffrey Crossick Warden, Goldsmiths College
Thursday 27 October 2005 Lecture 5.30pm Reception 6.30pm
Ian Gulland Lecture Theatre Whitehead Building Goldsmiths College University of London New Cross London SE14 Admission is free to everyone (including public). To book a place please contact Claire Norden e-mail c.norden@gold.ac.uk or telephone 020 7919 7069
Roderick Coyne
DEAN LECTURE 2005
The myths that shape us: Higher Education Policy in England today
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News from the Development Office The last time I wrote for Goldlink we were engaged in the process of establishing the Development Office. We have now completed this work and I am happy to announce that a great deal of progress has been made over the last year. My first task, following my appointment in July 2004, was to write a comprehensive interim fundraising strategy that clearly defined our focus over the past year. From the beginning It was clear that we needed to recruit some core staff to assist Stephen and I in our work. Claire Norden joined us in January 2005, as Alumni and Events Officer. Claire works full-time and joins us from Trinity College of Music, where she was working in the Development Office. Matthew Grew works for the Development Office in his role of Clerical Support Assistant, a shared post with the Warden’s Office. They have both settled in very well and are doing an excellent job in advancing the work of the Development Office. The next task that faced us was to develop and launch an Alumni Acquisition Programme, to find out where you are all are and what you were all doing. The response was enormous; letters and forms flooded into the Development Office in response to our mailings. Furthermore we have witnessed a favorable response to our requests for assistance for our current students, with many of you offering to come back to make presentations like Julian Clary (Drama and English 1977-80), offer work experience opportunities such as Kanya King (English and Drama 1989-92,) CEO of MOBO and take part in our new mentoring programme like Katie Lyons (Drama and Theatre Arts 2000-03,) Verity Woolnough, (Drama and Theatre Arts 2000-03). Finally a great many of you said that you are interested in networking opportunities that we can offer, an area that is rapidly developing and some of you said that you might be able to assist with recruitment opportunities. We would like to thank all those who are helping us to make the time that our students spend with us, here at Goldsmiths, valuable. The degree shows have been taking place during June and July and it has been lovely to see so many of our alumni supporting our current students. We have enjoyed further success, by securing some advance donations where we already enjoy a close relationship with the donors, securing new bursary awards and core funding for our alumni acquisition programme. We are extremely grateful to all of our donors for their support. We are now busy working on new projects that require external funding and will keep you updated of our progress. By the time you read this article the Development Office will have launched its new web-based database – Goldsmiths Reconnected, password protected, this will allow you all to update your details, find old friends and keep up to date with College news and take part in exciting events. The letter accompanying this edition shows how you can use the system effectively In May we welcomed the new Warden, Professor Geoffrey Crossick to the College, Professor Crossick is committed to the work of Development Office and we look forward to working with him to deliver the College’s strategic plans for the future. Lastly, I would like to encourage yet more of you to take an active involvement in our work – together we can make a real difference. Rosie Dewhurst Director of Development
news
Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box Goldsmiths Design Shows 2005
This year Goldsmiths Design shows took centre stage amongst other university and colleges design shows in an exhibition entitled ’Free Range 05’. Free Range has been running for five years and has become a recognised hunting ground for creative industries to discover inspirational talent. Its aim is to help graduates climb the next rung of the ladder through exposure to as many industry players as possible. Held in the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, Goldsmiths’ students called their exhibition ’Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box’. In a vast gallery space 47 students exhibited work that aimed to discuss complex relationships between people, places and things, engaging in their inter, multi or trans-disciplinary activities. Exhibitions ranged from designer clothing which responded to wet weather, to a specially designed bottle top to enable two glasses of wine to be poured at once. Christopher Van Dyke based his work on the ’Sociability of the Campfire’, whilst James Eades reminded young people living in our capital city the value of green space.
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The Students’ Union; 2004-05; continuing to support the needs of students.
As an alumnus you are likely to have experienced the Students’ Union in at least one of its many guises; whether through one of the many sports and societies, seeking advice or representation, or possibly in the pursuit of light refreshment in one of the bars. But whatever your experience, and whenever you graduated, you can be sure that the Union continues to offer first class support and opportunities to its members. The following is just a snapshot of a dynamic, successful Union on the move. In November, the Students’ Union was involved in the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Audit of the College. The Union provided a Student Written Submission as part of this, and participated in the week-long visit from the QAA in March. We are pleased to say that the College received ’broad confidence’ from the QAA; the highest level possible. The Union’s publicity continues to develop and can boast the Best Student Magazine according to The Mirror after our magazine, Smiths, picked up the top award at their annual awards ceremony as well as coming runner up at the prestigious EMAP awards. Throughout the year the Union has also put on numerous events for all tastes. This included a range of music, with a gig by Athlete and a month of live music topped off by a performance by ex-Blur member, Graham Coxon. Furthermore as a part of our peace campaign Tony Benn visited the Union to speak on the implications of the Iraq War. Tony Benn during a recent visit to the College
The Students’ Union Annual Awards evening, took place on Friday 20 May. Eight awards were given out and seven people were given Honorary Life Memberships including former Acting Warden, Professor Kay Stables. The Goldsmiths Society sponsored the ’Outstanding Achievement Award’ which was presented to Jaime Hodgson for his contributions to the Students’ Union and in particular his contribution to the student magazine Smiths. You can be sure that there will be many more events over the coming year, so there will be plenty of reasons to visit. You can also take advantage of the GCSU Associate Membership card which, at a cost of just £10 per year, will give you access to all of our facilities, membership of non-competitive clubs and student discounts where relevant to GCSU events. If you want any information on forthcoming events or want to receive a copy of our annual report please visit our website www.gcsu.org.uk, or email gcsu@gold.ac.uk Dave Charlesworth BA Fine Art 2001-04 Union President 2005-06
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Goldsmiths Society Services Keeping in Touch: Alumni Relations Programme At Goldsmiths we believe in looking after our alumni, and we are currently engaged in developing a comprehensive Alumni Relations Programme. This will include social events, networking opportunities in London, nationally and internationally, seminars and a mentoring programme. The programme will take time to build and we will notify you of key developments as they arise. If you would like to take part in our Mentoring Programme for current students and/or alumni, please get in contact with the Development Office for details. The website remains a great place to visit for the latest news and information, so please log on regularly.
Existing Benefits Alumni Discount Scheme The College has introduced a special discount on tuition fees for all former students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, Dip HE or postgraduate taught programme at Goldsmiths, and who now wish to progress to a different postgraduate degree. In order to apply for the reduced tuition fee, you will need to have been accepted on to your intended programme of study and to satisfy all the normal academic admissions criteria, as well as all the conditions of enrolment and registration set down by the College. The Scheme will involve the following discount on the appropriate tuition fee levied on the first year of attendance of the programme (and not any subsequent or repeat year):
UK students Students who pay the Home or EU fee: a reduction of £250 for full-time or £125 for part-time attendance.
International students Students who pay the overseas fee: a reduction of £500 for full-time or £250 for part-time attendance (regardless of whether the fee for the programme is a ’high’ or ’low’ cost fee). We regret that this scheme cannot be used in conjunction with other sponsorship, scholarship or bursary
schemes such as Research Council scholarships, Overseas Agency or Government scholarships, ORS scholarships, by students supported by their employer for professional development programmes, by students intending to pursue a PGCE, or by students in receipt of any other discount or scholarship scheme offered by the College. The discount can only be applied to the tuition fees and cannot be used to cover any other programme-related expenses (e.g. residential costs, materials or membership fees). For more information on how to claim your discount, please contact Steven Edwards, Fees and Awards, Room 123 Main Building or e-mail s.edwards@gold.ac.uk
Library access Alumni can gain access to the College’s library, and are allowed reference use of the library’s books and periodicals. More information about the library facilities available to alumni and how to apply can be found by visiting the website at http://libweb.gold.ac.uk/ homelinks/alumni.php The library will normally issue a one-day ticket, repeated up to three times a term, or you can apply in writing to use the library for a more sustained period.
In touch If you would like us to help you to make contact with lost friends, we can help by passing on your letters or e-mail address to fellow members of the Society. Your search can also be featured in future editions of Goldlink or on the website Message Board, to see if others know of their whereabouts.
Requests are dealt with in strict date order and may take up to 3 weeks to process. At busy times of the year, summer examination results will take priority over requests for archive information. Alternatively you can contact Ian Sortwell the Student Records Office on 020 7919 7292 or e-mail student-records@gold.ac.uk for further information.
Society web pages Careers advice The Careers Service would like to hear from any former students who have vacancies to fill in their own working environment or those who can join the Careers Network and spare some time to talk to current students about their own jobs. If you can help in any way please contact Claire Norden (c.norden@gold.ac.uk), Alumni & Events Officer who will pass on your details to the Careers Service.
Transcripts If you have lost your certificate or require a transcript or official verification of your qualifications, please visit www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/ registry and click on Transcripts and Archives. Once there you will find an official request form and details of the charges.
www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni/ Update your details online, e-mail us contributions for Goldlink at the touch of a button, or leave messages on the Message Board for other alumni to read. You can find out how to get news of forthcoming events, information about library access and transcripts, get signed up to receive Goldlink and read through past editions, and view old and recent photos of College life. We would also love to hear from any former students not already in contact with the Society. If you know of any friends that are not members of the society; please, having sought their permission, pass on their email addresses to us. There is no membership fee to pay, everyone is considered to be a member and we will make contact with them directly.
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AlumniVaria MAclean will drift down the mountain side. The aim is to create an intense and personal experience for each walker, together with questioning the way that people read the landscape in response to their own experiences.
Ellie Harrison (Fine Art 2003-04) Earlier this year Ellie Harrison had her work, Gold Card Adventures on display at Piccadilly Circus Underground Station, presented by Platform Art (the public art programme for London underground). Ellie who used her annual gold card to travel between her home and Goldsmiths recorded each journey made over the year. She calculated the cumulative distance and marked the stages of her journey as if they corresponded to destinations all over the world. Ellie made 1,495 journeys and had a total of 350 hours of travel by underground, train and bus routes. Her final work comprised of a series of 18 mock postcards with a note of the distances reached en route.
Jeremy Grove (Design 2000-04) Although only graduating a year ago Jeremy is already making a name for himself in the design world. The young designer has already had his work featured in TV shows – Channel 4’s Big Brother – and has set up his own business. He is particular proud of his avantgarde lampshade that has been featured in several design publications. Made from foam PVC the flat sheets attach to the light and the heat from a 100 watt bulb moulds the sheets to form petals, when the desired shape is formed the bulb is changed to an eco-bulb which doesn’t give off as much heat and means the lampshade can stay in the desired position.
Wendy Hurrell (Media and Communications 2000-03) For those of you in the Anglia television region you might have noticed a new weather girl, this is none other than former Goldsmiths student, Wendy Hurrell. After graduating from Goldsmiths with a 2.1, Wendy found work with Broadland 102 (a local radio station). After three months as ’Wicked Wendy’ on the breakfast show she landed a job at Anglia, as a production journalist. Today she presents the weather – appearing in live and recorded broadcasts. Her real passion is singing so look out for her when she features (briefly!) in Stephen Poliakoff’s new BBC drama to be screened this summer.
James Brown
(Politics with Economics 1994-97, Students’ Union President 1997-98) Although James’ degree was in Politics he is a man of many talents! After completed his undergraduate studies here at Goldsmiths he went on to do a part-time Msc in Politics and Government at Birbeck, and is currently a Senior Commercial Analyst for the Ricoh Group. James has co-produced, is assistant director and stars in a short film entitled ’The Man Who Met Himself’ which was been selected for competition at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. It was the only British Film to make it into the short films category and is about a private detective investigating a suicide. James together with Ben Crowe, who co-wrote and directed the film, financed the film entirely out of their own pockets. Ben’s brother Daniel plays the main character and his girlfriend Preti Taneja was the other co-writer. ’The Man Who Met Himself’ was shot this year during weekends in Covent Garden. Lucy (Eli) Donavan who is a Goldsmiths alumnus also features in the film.
Angus Farquhar (Drama and English 1980-83) Angus has been awarded the largest NESTA (National Endowment for Science and Technology) grant given for a creative piece of work. NESTA’s support is being used to adapt new sound and lighting technology that will enable people to enjoy a night-time experience without damaging the fragile landscape. ’The Storr’, which is being created in Trotternish on the Isle of Skye, will be taking an audience of around 200 on a journey through the wild northern landforms of the Island. The walkers equipped with headlamps, guides and walking sticks will walk at night through one of Europe’s most dramatic and inspiring landscapes. A reflexive light network will create a path through the rock formations, contemporary sounds from Geir Jennsen a Norwegian composer and the voice of Sorley
If you would like to be featured in Goldlink please do contact us, we are always interested to hear what our ’Old Smiths’ are up to.
www.imageandnature.com
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Alumni news The Trippplicate: For all your comedy needs! The Tripplicate is a comedy theatre production company made up of three founding members: Katie Lyons, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and myself, Verity Woolnough. Having met each other in the darkened corners of the Students’ Union, we three bonded through our ability to make each other laugh and naturally we found ourselves collaborating on a number of performance projects for our drama degree The three of us first collaborated on Morgan’s script ’Fanny and Madge’ through Goldsmiths Theatre Collective, a society where students could show cast independent performance work.’Fanny and Madge’ was meet with great success and so came the first realisation that members of the public may actually pay to see us perform instead of long suffering boyfriends and bedraggled tutors, we applied to perform ’Fanny and Madge’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2002, the show was a massive hit which produced a profit, and the Trippplicate was formed. We are now embarking on our third pilgrimage as a company to the Edinburgh Festival with our latest comedy offering ‘13 O’clock’.
The Trippplicate: Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Katie Lyons, Verity Woolnough pictured with Julian Clary
The past three years have been an invaluable learning curve for us. Through our experience of the Edinburgh and London Fringe as well as the BBC and Channel 4, we have developed from student performers to a professional theatre company. Aside from the creative aspects of our work we have had to cultivate an eclectic range of practical skills to produce a show such as marketing, promotion, design as well as accountancy and management.
We learnt through trial and error because we had no predecessors to provide realistic advice of performing at the fringe. So now we are only too happy to offer the opportunity of first hand guidance to any Goldsmiths students interested in pursuing a career in fringe theatre. It is never too early to start anticipating your goals, so please do get in touch. Verity Woolnough (Drama and Theatre Arts 2000-03) www.trippplicate.com
A day in the life of MOBO Former Goldsmiths’ student Kanya King, CEO of MOBO, (Music of Black Origin), has offered work placements to Goldsmiths students. The placements which range for a day up to several months give you the opportunity to work with professionals helping out the busy office with their PR, Events or just generally providing support. Students and MOBO employees mingle together in an open plan office, creating an easy flow of communication between students familiarising themselves with the workings of a busy office and MOBO staff on hand to advise students accordingly. Gill Fraser is one of the students who has taken up the offer has been working in the office for just over a week alongside other students on placement. “We are encouraged to take an active part in the day to day running of the office. The atmosphere is lively, friendly and above all focused; the main aim being the success of the MOBO brand”. Gill is currently in her second year on a Media and Communications degree.
In touch Did you live in Rachel Macmillan between 1996 and 1997?
1996 Have ten years really gone by?
If so you will be pleased to hear that Joanna Green is organising a reunion, taking place in 2006. Joanna has done an excellent job in trying to track people down, however if you haven’t heard about the reunion or you just require further information please contact her at: joanna_l_green@hotmail.com
Did you graduate in 1996? Are you a Drama Theatre Arts or English Theatre Arts student? If the answers are yes then watch this space! During the summer of 2006 we plan to hold a 10 year reunion for all Drama and Drama and English students. If you are interested please contact Gordon Maxwell on 07957 509611 and register your interest. Further details and information will appear in the next issue of Goldlink.
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Obituaries
Professor Vera Gottlieb My friendship with Vera goes back many years, and her death leaves a great dent in my life, and that of the Drama Department, and of Goldsmiths. I can date the start of our friendship quite exactly. I was a newly-appointed lecturer in the Drama Department nearing the final stages of rehearsals for a production of Brecht’s The Measure’s Taken. One morning I woke myself up at 5am, bathed in sweat, in the middle of an anxiety attack. I’d convinced myself that I hadn’t started work on one scene of the play, and even though this wasn’t true (in fact, my overactive brain had invented the scene), I felt unable to meet the students, and rang the Department to cancel a planned rehearsal. When I arrived in the Department I bumped into Vera and she asked me what was wrong. “Nothing” I replied. “Yes there is” she responded. “Get a coffee and come down to my room. Now!” There was no arguing with that tone in Vera’s voice. I sat in her basement room and explained my feelings of panic and anxiety, and of not being up to the job. I can remember how patiently and sympathetically she listened, and how her reassurance gave me the necessary confidence I needed to carry on with the rehearsals. This experience was typical of Vera’s professionalism. It was also typical of her generosity in giving time and energy to others. I feel privileged to have known and worked with Vera for so long, and that our professional relationship grew into one of very close friendship. One of the founding influences in the Drama Department, Vera served as Deputy and later as Head of Department, as well as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts (in the days of faculties).
Having to give up teaching and regular contact with students was something Vera minded terribly. She was invited to deliver a lecture on Naturalism to the first years not so long ago. Watching her gave some insight into her interactive teaching style. It was intellectually challenging and provocative, but accessible, and she was able to communicate clearly her enthusiasm and passion for the subject. At the end of the lecture I had to prise Vera out of a press of students, wanting to ask further questions and discuss issues with her. She was tired, but elated. “That makes it all worthwhile”, she said as we headed, inevitably, towards coffee. Vera brought all that commitment and sense of responsibility to her role as part-time Research Professor, a post created for her by the then Warden, Professor Ken Gregory, after she resigned on grounds of ill-health. That timely appointment has brought two co-edited books, Theatre in a Cool Climate (1999) and The Cambridge Companion to Chekhov (2000), as well as major articles in New Theatre Quarterly and Contemporary Theatre Review. She also gave platform talks and discussions on the National Theatre’s Olivier and Cottesloe stages. Vera continued to introduce the Marjorie Frances lectures, which she had initiated. She was the Director of the Pinter Centre for Research in Performance, formally launched in 2003. It was her network of contacts which brought the likes of Richard Eyre, Genista Mackintosh, Harold Pinter and Michael Caine to the Department, and often to a Fellowship or Honorary Doctorate of the College. It will be that energy, that indomitable will-power, the passion and spirit which we will all miss with Vera’s passing. There was a deep well-spring of courage and strength in her which never shrank from doing the right thing at whatever personal cost. She was a remarkable individual, fiercely loyal and with a sense of personal integrity that sometimes seems to have belonged to another age. Yet, Vera was also intensely human. Her garden, her cats, a good gossip, shared laughter and food, were all an important part of these memories of Vera. People who met her for the first time were captivated by her charm as
much as awed by her intelligence. I will always be grateful for that time she reached out to offer her support to me, and feel fortunate to have known and worked with her for so many years. Vera will be deeply missed by her family, her friends and colleagues, but her legacy will live on in her published work, and in the ways that she touched people throughout her life. Brian Roberts Senior Lecturer, Drama Department Susan Griffiths née Little Susan’s untimely death in late 2004 was a shock to her family and friends. She had a lively intellect and an enormous zest for life. Susan was a student at Goldsmiths 1960-63 and a group of her friends from Surrey House met, in January, to celebrate her life on what would have been her sixty second birthday. After a noisy Chinese meal they drank a toast in memory of her health in the Orangery at Surrey House and planted a memorial shrub. The group of friends that meet felt sure that Sue would have approved!
Jack Nicholas (pictured above with his grandson Sammy) On 6 January 2005 Jack Nicholas died in Royal Brompton Hospital. His funeral took place at Mortlake Crematorium on January 25 and an informal memorial event was held at Goldsmiths on 7 March. This was attended by Jack’s daughter, Anne, and over 30 of his colleagues and friends. Born in 1935 in Fishguard, Wales, Jack graduated in History from Cardiff University in 1956, subsequently moving to London to undertake a PGCE and MA at the Institute of Education. He taught at Leyton County High School for Boys and Thames Valley Secondary School. Jack was on the staff at Goldsmiths from 1970 to 1991 becoming, in 1977,
Head of the Postgraduate Secondary Education Department and from 1984 Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education. Jack published in the fields of history and comparative education with specific focus on the education systems of the USA and the USSR. He was a Visiting Professor at Georgia State University in Atlanta, USA and led Comparative Education Society tours to the USSR. It is difficult to capture in these few words all the feelings which Jack evoked in those who had the pleasure and privilege to work with him. People remember him for many qualities including his absolute distaste of pomp and the ‘puffed-upness’ of power and the fact that he listened to people and dealt with them in an even-handed, fair way. Jack was never a ‘fair-weather’ head of department. He was great when things were going well, but when things were tough he was even greater and never dumped problems on other people. He never pulled rank nor treated anyone with less than absolute respect. This continued through his final days in hospital when he remained warm and thoughtful to the people around him – the only exception being in relation to a racist bigot who was in the next bed to him for a short time. Former staff members particularly remember the discussions we had over lunch or a coffee. These would range from education, politics (personal and institutional), history, being Welsh, caravan holidays and the iniquities of Brittany in the rain, books, the USSR, sport, family life, the theatre (particularly accents and dialects), – the list goes on. As an ex-colleague wrote: “He was a lot of fun.” We all look back on Jack’s life with a great deal of warmth and an immense sense of loss. Pat Mahony, Ian Hextall Marion Jane Blake Wood née Wolfe Jane was a student at Goldsmiths College from 1946-48 and was resident at Loring Hall Bexley. She studied English as her advanced course subject and was an active member of Union Council. Jane died on 26 January 2005, leaving her only son Gersham. Joyce Canning
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