artED at ReCoCo: Creating Your Own Recovery Journey – Is that even possible?

Thanks to everyone who were involved in the artED event at ReCoCo on Tuesday evening. I was honoured to have such an impressive panel and it was great to have such a mixed and engaged audience who posed some really thoughtful questions.

For those who did not attend, here is a summary:

Grainne Sweeney gave a short introduction to artED, the event and introduced the panel: Alisdair Cameron (Co-Director ReCoCo), Claire Murphy-Morgan (Senior Research Assistant, RHED-C), Anne Fry (CEO, Eating Distress North East) and Fiona Granger (NHS Specialist Nurse in ED).  

I lead a brief mindfulness exercise and handed over to my good friend and writer Barbara who read, Write-off day, a piece of my writing from The Thing Part 1. 

I then posed the following question to the panel

If we lived in an ideal world and you could make any intervention or changes within the system, what would you do?

We then addressed this and shared our collective experience to imagine ways in which the NHS and community health services can empower individuals to create their own personal recovery plans.

The event concluded with a stimulating question and answer session with questions from the floor.

Testing Situations | Experiences of dementia, assessment and art

Over the last year, artist Charles Harrison and the Testing Situations team have been touring around the UK to learn more about people's experiences of being tested for dementia.



The Catalyst: National Innovation Centre for Ageing. 

Testing Situations presented an exhibition of learning from the tour featuring artworks from Clive Smith, Dan Moxam and a newly commissioned film titled 'Margaret' and supporting imagery by film-maker Harry Lawson. 

The main event featured presentations from project lead Charlie Harrison, social scientist Emma Harding and collaborator Mhari McLintock followed by screenings of 3 artistic films made by, or in collaboration with people living with dementia. 





The afternoon session included a participatory workshop and group conversations with around 60 attendees, both individuals and groups from North East.



I didn't attend the event, but saw the exhibition, and was particularly moved by Harry Lawson's body of work about his late Grandma, Margaret, during her last 4 years living in residential care. The film includes footage taken by Geoff, Harry's father of Margaret in her bedroom and scenes from the rest of the care home that was later filmed by Harry. It shifts between tender, intimate interactions between Margaret and Geoff and more routine observations of life in the residential home. As the UK population is living longer, more people are living in residential care, and this film gives an insight into life in a residential home. 

I felt privileged to witness the loving scenes between Margaret and Geoff, in which Geoff gently strokes Margaret's hands and tries to make her comfortable. I was gripped by the Geoff's patience and care in the way he spoke and handled his Mum, and though highly personal, the film did not seem invasive.

The more general shots within the home give a good impression of the rapport between Harry and the residents. Harry is happy to engage with the residents, some of whom make a point of being on film. As I watched one woman ask Harry if he would like her to introduce herself on camera and then go on to tell a little story, I notice that I'm smiling, for the residents are being treated respectfully as individuals who are valued.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/testing-situations-at-the-national-innovation-centre-of-ageing-newcastle-tickets-84623227351#

https://www.charlesrobertharrison.com/testingsituationsblog

New Year, New You: Mini Crits

New Year, New You: Mini Crits
Thursday 9 January 2020, 6-8pm

The NewBridge Project : Newcastle, Co–Work Space
Free, members only



I'm looking forward to taking part in the New Year: New You mini crits session that will take place in January next year at The NewBridge Project. Various members of The NewBridge Project will deliver 5 minute presentations relating to their artworks or research at any stage of development. The friendly audience will provide insight and offer guidance.

BALTIC Self-Publishing Artists' Market events, performances and activities

There is a great line-up of activities to join in with, performances to watch and talks to attend at today's BALTIC Self-Publishing Artists' Market. 

11.00-16.00
Foundation Press, Level 1
Visit Foundation Press throughout the day to see their work and chat about UNBOUND, an ongoing series of print performances developed specifically for bookshops and book fairs. UNBOUND uses Risograph printing to explore imagery and ideas in an artist’s work; they are currently working with artist Giles Bailey and CIRCA. This print event will culminate in a live performance at 16.00.

12.00-17.00
One Day Residency | Women Artists of the North East Library, Level 2 BALTIC Library
The Women Artists of the North East Library will spend a day researching BALTIC Library’s collection and archive, focusing on records of exhibitions and projects by women artists associated with the North East. This one day residency will form a collection which will be added to BALTIC Library’s online reading list, as well as informing the groups current research.

12.30
Tour of BALTIC Library & Archive, Level 2
Explore BALTIC’s Library and Archive with BALTIC Producer (Documentation, Library & Archive) Gary Malkin, with a special artist books ‘show and tell’.

13.30
Tour of Sofia Stevi Exhibition, Ground Floor
Join an exhibition tour of Sofia Stevi’s first exhibition in a public institution turning forty winks into a decade, with particular focus on Stevi’s handmade artists’ books.

14.00
Artist Talk | Artists’ Book Club (ABC), Level 1 Studio
Artists’ Book Club (ABC) is a cross-disciplinary forum for makers of artists’ books and ephemera, founded at UWE in 2009. It provides an opportunity to get together for critical and constructive dialogue; to contextualise work, explore ideas and to develop creative practice. ABC coordinators Cathey Webb and Gen Harrison will be give a talk on Artists’ Book Club.

15.00
Artist Talk | Peter J Evans, Level 1 Studio
Peter J Evans’ practice explores interactions and how things intertwine, on both a macro and micro scale, working across mediums and often in collaboration. In this short presentation Evans will discuss multiples, editions, collaborations and a recent journey into crowdfunding.

16.00
Live Performance | Foundation Press, Level 1

16.30
Artist Talk | Ashington District Star, Level 1 Studio
The Ashington District Star is a 24-page photographic journal/newspaper, founded in 2014. The newspaper team will be giving an insight into their brand of community-led publishing, working together as a collaborative editorial team and creating a contemporary publication inspired by working class heritage and cultural history.

BALTIC Self-Publishing Artists' Market

I'm pleased to announce that some of my publications will be for sale at the Self Publishing Artists' Market at The BALTIC in April!! They'll be on the table with work from other Newcastle University staff and students. It is a day not to be missed.




Sat 21 Apr 11.00-18.00
FREE
Drop-in

BALTIC Self-Publishing Artists’ Market launches for the first time on Saturday 21 April, with over 50 artists, bookmakers, small press publishers, printmakers, artist’s groups and zine makers selling their work. This expanded version of the annual Artists' Book Market is a great opportunity to meet artists and browse a wide range of affordable artworks. Artist-led activities and performances will also accompany this special one-day event.

http://baltic.art/whats-on/whats-on-artist-events/artists-market

A lot can happen in a day! - Reading Group, Spoken Word Workshop & Performance with Helen Shaddock

A lot can happen in a day

Reading Group, Spoken Word Workshop and Performance with Helen Shaddock

Saturday 22nd July 2017

11am - 8pm



TURF Projects

Gallery, Workspace & Studios

Keeley Road

Croydon

CR0 1TF




FREE!

Booking required

DESCRIPTION

READING GROUP (1.5 – 2 hours approx.) 11am-1:00pm

The reading group will focus on the publication, ‘A lot can happen in fifteen minutes’, and will include a question and answer session with artist Helen Shaddock.


WRITING & SPOKEN WORD WORKSHOP 2-5pm

Participants will engage in writing and spoken word exercises, and develop a text in relation to some of the themes discussed in the reading group. Working individually or in groups, participants will develop a spoken word performance based on their own writing or using a text from the ‘A lot can happen in fifteen minutes’ publication.


SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE EVENING 6-8pm

In the evening, members of the Spoken Word workshop will present individual and/or group spoken word performances that were developed during the day’s workshop.



To register for the event (ideally all day, but the different aspects can be attended separately), visit

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-lot-can-happen-in-a-day-reading-group-spoken-word-workshop-performance-with-helen-shaddock-tickets-35460169321


https://www.facebook.com/events/242095779609157/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2222%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%2222%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&pnref=story

For more information please contact Helen Shaddock

http://www.helenshaddock.co.uk/contact/index.php

Artists' Moving Image: Insights into Production & Exhibition

Northern Film & Media is the North East's creative agency, nurturing talent, supporting media businesses and driving commercial film and television production within the region.

They regularly arrange events to enable practitioners to gain critical information on the latest commercial and creative trends, and to connect with industry leading experts and commissioners.

I attended the Artists' Moving Image: Insights into Production & Exhibition event in which Marie Logie (Auguste Orts) and Peter Taylor (Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival) shared some of their invaluable insights about producing and exhibiting artists’ moving image.


Marie discussed the history and approach of Brussels-based moving image production and distribution platform Auguste Orts, where she is currently Director.

She explained that, when in an artist moving image context, the role of a producer includes

• seeing the project through from start to finish 
• writing contracts 
• arranging legal aspects 
• organising insurance 
• co-managing the budget 
• organising fundraising 
• finding locations
• working on post production
• planning distribution

Peter talked about his approach to film festival programming, drawing on his experiences as Director at Berwick as well as at Rotterdam International Film Festival.

It was interesting to hear him discuss how changes in technology have impacted on his role. For example, now that submissions are often done via vimeo, he doesn't need to physically move as much as there is no need to handle DVD cases, transfer DVDs into players and so on. He commented that vimeo helps judges share their own opinions with each other as they can each make comments about a submission in a way that the other panel members are able to view.

https://northernmedia.org/

Slide Night at The NewBridge Project

Tess Denman Cleaver | Aaron Guy | Kate Liston | Rene McBrearty | Thomas Whittle

Slide Night #6 took the formal shape of a traditional slide talk, this one structure acting as a gimcrack portmanteau, within which functioned a series of diverse and disconnected narratives, tangents and dead ends.

Sleep-cooking,

Washing feet,

Green screen props,

An attempt to get to Moscow in the name of football...


Slide Night was a live event featuring artists including past and present studio members.

Slide Night is an ongoing project by past studio member Thomas Whittle.

No Niceties contributing artist - Sofija Sutton

Brooklyn-based artist Sofija Sutton contributed Sweet, Hold the Bitter to the No Niceties exhibition.

She states, "My current art practice explores the use of flash fiction and folklore in video, painting, collage, and multidiscipline installations. I use narratives and visuals to tell layered metaphors for daily, intimate life. The most common themes I address are belonging and mental health. I particularly enjoy using anamorphism with invertebrate references in magical realism to juxtapose the absurd with the mundane.

Each project’s message dictates the materials of my work. Some meanings require text, while others may be communicated with paint alone. Some works benefit from collaboration and some works require learning new technologies. Allowing the meaning of the work to direct the form it takes allows me to be open to new experiences while maintaining the importance of the story’s message."



Sutton shares some of her initial thoughts that led to the end result:

how i wanted one story to go
- how I want the word playful to be associated in my head. not playful but investigative and introspective and innately human. yes.

(I related too closely)
how it went.

I just wanted one sweet hold the bitter end so I could think you have some sweet hold the bitter moments. but thats not really how feelings are felt in hindsight.

in fifteen minutes my tea can go cold.

-flying pill bug baby, roll and pop!
- you settle into your train seat.
- your friends talk a lot about babies and weddings
- you live a different life than them

ticking clock with an empty desk and chair. plain.
toxic colors, acidic or washed out, jarring. initial impression of joy masking the anxiety and compulsion.



For more information about Sofija's practice, please visit

She has also just launched her new illustration website showcasing watercolor and collage illustrations. Check it out!

http://www.fiasutton.com/

Pester & Rossi present 'A Bodyssey Odyssey' at Baltic 39

Glasgow-based collaborative duo Pester & Rossi have been residents in the project space at Baltic 39 since mid- September.

The artists have used the gallery as a studio space, giving the audience a glimpse into their do-it-yourself approach and low-fi working methods. 

"Pester & Rossi make work that spans sculpture, performance and installation using a wide variety of media. Immersive performances and social experiments are rooted in a do-it-yourself approach with ideas connected to childhood nostalgia, public ceremony and a celebration of the home-made. Often using imagery and props relating to the body, along with its physical and metaphorical associations, they provide a sense of familiarity for the audience, all the while generating irony and humour."

Throughout their residency Pester and Rossi have hosted a couple of performances with other artists. Last night all these artists were brought together for the ultimate 'A Bodyssey Odyssey'.


Belinda Gilbert Scott created the impressive scenic backdrop, out of which the performers entered the stage, and into which they retreated at the end, along with the giant inflatable.

"By using her experience as a scenic painter, Gilbert Scott has begun to paint backcloths, the cloths, draping from the wall to the floor, are cut into, releasing the image from the background and positioning it in the space. The viewer is allowed to walk upon and between the painted surfaces. This expresses the feeling of wanting to physically get into an imaginary space. This is also a response to the gallery setting and counteracts the reverence and untouchability of painting, allowing the audience to enter into a playful relationship with the work. By introducing physical space into the work, the paintings can also become theatrical settings. This has opened up the opportunity to work collaboratively."

A couple of Sarah Kenchengton's amazing sound generating inventions shared the stage alongside the more traditional musical instruments played by Fallopé and The Tubes.

"Sarah Kenchington builds her own remarkable mechanical instruments, including a pedal-powered hurdy-gurdy, a giant rotating kalimba and her own brass band, powered by tractor inner-tubes."

These produced the less easily definable noises that fitted so well with the aesthetic of the rest of the set.

Having performed alongside Stasis in Circus Between Worlds in Glasgow earlier this year, I knew I was in for a treat when I saw that they were on the line up. 

They did not fail to deliver, performing a highly energetic performance involving boxing gloves. The way in which they managed to physically carve out space in the gallery was impressive, forcing the audience to alter their viewing positions.



The whole evening was a visual and audio delight, full of experimentation, exploration, energy and fun.

No Niceties contributing artist - Ute Kirkwood

Sweet Chin Music 

The outside world has disappeared, a vague memory.

The world has turned into a microcosmos, a bubble in which only the two exist.

Minutes,  hours, days even months they melt. It is all measured now by the grant scheme of things – a life time?

Fingers are rolling the tiniest amount of skin, nails digging in, rolling again looking for a better position, shifting around endlessly.

Breath in, one, two, three. Breath out, one, two, three, four, five.

For more information about Ute's work, please visit
www.utekirkwood.com

Readings at 'A lot can happen in fifteen minutes' publication launch at NewBridge Bookshop

Reading One - 5 readers are dispersed around the gallery and are mingling with the audience.
  
Reader 1 reads the first paragraph from one of the texts within my publication.
Reader 2 reads the second paragraph from the text
Reader 3 reads the third paragraph from the text
Reader 4 reads the fourth paragraph from the text
Reader 5 reads the fifth paragraph from the text
The readers close the publication they are holding.

Reading 2 - 2 readers face each other.

1 reader reads the left column of text in the publication
The other reader reads the right column of the text in the publication 

Reading 3 - 6 readers form a circle facing outwards towards the audience.

All readers read the same text at the same time, but the speed at which they read is varied.
During the middle of the text, readers stop after they have said 'These awkward silences'.
There is an awkward silence.
The readers begin reading the rest of the text, but stagger when they start, meaning that the final words of the text is read by one person alone.

Installing at NewBridge Books with UnstapledPress

After another session of threading packing peanuts, I met up with Deanna, Cathy and Rene of UnstapledPress who arrived armed with more packing peanut ribbons. 



We began installing in NewBridge Books in readiness for the launch of our recent publication, A lot can happen in fifteen minutes. 



As I was up the ladders attaching the threads to the ceiling in the bookshop window, I got an idea of what it must be like to be a window dresser. I must admit that I rather fancy doing the Fenwicks window display (although I would like a less wobbly pair of ladders please!)



 Hours later and we have a packing peanut curtain!

Next we will complete hanging the collages, get the books and sound sorted and rehearse ready for the launch from 7-11pm with the readings taking place at 8pm. Should be fun!

Newcastle University School of Education Communication and Language Sciences - Centre for Learning and Teaching Showcase 2016

Organised by Newcastle University's Centre for Learning and Teaching, this showcase event addressed themes of: Social justice; Innovative research methodologies; Professional development, leadership & learning; Innovative pedagogy and curriculum; Learning spaces; Teaching and learning in HE.

The event was split into 4 parts, with a choice of 3 different sessions in the first 3 parts, followed by the entire group coming together to join in the final part, a 'Moot' (a term meaning an assembly held for debate).

Attendees ranged from students from the department to Academics, teachers, educational psychologists and others involved in education in some form.

The first session dealt with Communication Aware Teaching and how labels may discriminate people. I was interested to hear about the Pygmalion effect, the term given to the phenomenon in which the greater the expectation placed upon people (such as children, students, or employees) the better they perform. Tajfel's findings are also of interest to me: "Whenever we are confronted with a situation to which sort form of intergroup categorisation appears directly relevant, we are likely to act in a manner that discriminates against the outgroup and favours the ingroup."

The second session I went to was an 'Art and SOLE' workshop. SOLE is about learning in groups, with minimal facilitation and often using the internet.

It has affinities with the artistic process in the following ways
- they are cognitive activities (as opposed to craft which is purely about making with the hands)
- they encourage us to think for ourselves
- they are an enquiry
- they are creative
- questions the role of the artist/facilitator
- art is a form of free expression

We did an exercise in groups whereby we had to make some form of sculpture that represented what our learning looks like. This is the outcome!



The third part featured 2 presentations, one by Sam Shields who is researching assessment in the UK and the Netherlands. She analysed the methodological traditions of these two countries.

The other presentation was by Lydia Wysocki who discussed words and pictures and learning: comics as a method of reflecting on learning, facilitating collaboration and working with narratives. For a comic novice like me, her talk gave an excellent insight into the value of comics and how to read them.

To end the evening, we all gathered for a Moot. A 'Moot' is a medieval word meaning an assembly held for debate. Three colleagues were given 5 minutes to share their views in relation to the question: How can we ensure all children achieve?

Here is a summary of some of the suggestions made:

-WELLBEING
- the importance of ensuring the wellbeing of both children and teachers
- not letting results be the most important thing
- every child matters

- CATEGORIES AND LABELLING
- eliminating categories and labels in order to limit the Pygmalion effect

- SUBJECT CHOICES AT GCSE AND ALEVEL
- Parents occupation and socioeconomic background has been linked to the choice of GCSE and A-Level subjects made by children
- Lower socio economic background = less children choosing STEM subjects
- Better education about what different subjects could entail and be used for

The event ended with another question being posed:

How do we ensure all teachers achieve?

Planning the next stage of the Shaddock:UnStapledPress collaboration

Over the past couple of weeks UnStapledPress and I have been generating ideas for the next stage of our collaboration with the publication A lot can happen in 15 minutes.

We are delighted to be working with NewBridge Books, and there will be a number of things to attend and take part in during October and November.

Last night (after a rather delicious homemade Thai red curry) we continued our planning and developed some ideas for a Newcastle launch event, exhibition and for want of a better word, closing event. We'd love to take this, or a similar setup, further a field.

Living Out Ideas – A Scratch Night Curatorial Studio at NewBridge Studios

Current artist in residence at NewBridge Studios, Gordon Douglas invited members of Curatorial Studio to The Newbridge Project to develop their upcoming publication ‘Living Out Ideas’ outside the familiar context of Scotland. Borrowing the performance terminology ‘the scratch night’, the group presented content, correspondences, references and concerns from previous discussions as well as new work devised for the event.



“Curatorial Studio is a peer-learning environment for fifteen early-career curators from across Scotland, conceived through conversations between Scottish Contemporary Art Network, the curator-led Framework programme, CCA Glasgow and the MLitt Curatorial Practice, Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow.

The aim is to create a supportive peer-learning environment for curators in the early stages of their career through a programme of weekend seminars and workshops focusing on specific areas of practice as well as public talks and events with international guests. Curatorial Studio encourages cooperative learning by bringing group discussion to the fore as a means of engaging with contemporary art theory and extending a network of support to those participating.

Curatorial Studio are: Frances Davis, Gordon Douglas, Cicely Farrer, Rachel Grant, Marcus Jack, Grace Johnston, Maria Lanko, Gemma Lawrence, Kirsteen Macdonald, Emmie McLuskey, Katherine Murphy, Rosie O’Grady, Frances Stacey, Shireen Taylor, Nick Thomas and Claire Walsh.”

It was a really interesting event, with Curatorial Studio performing and introducing a number of texts and films which was then followed by a discussion about the group and whether there is potential for a similar model based in the North East. Watch this space!

http://framework.parallellines.org.uk/curatorial-studio/

Invitation to Circus Between Worlds

Dear Friends 

I would like to invite you to Circus Between Worlds for Gi2016. 

I have created a performance especially for the event, and will be performing on the Main Stage on the Friday and Sunday evening. I am also performing in two side show performances; one by Deanna Smith and the other by Adam Hussain.

LOCATION

Caledonia Road Church

Caledonia Road,

Glasgow, G5 OSJ

info.at.wave@gmail.com

0141 552 5300

OPENING TIMES 

Fri 8 April Performance 8pm-10pm* 

Sat 9 April Exhibition & Workshops 10am-5pm 

Sun 10 April Exhibition & Workshops 10am-5pm 

Sun 10 April Performance 8pm-10pm* 

An Experimental artists’ circus emerges out of dramatic ruins of the Greek Thompson Free Church in Glasgow. 

Bringing together a maverick group of performers this ad-hoc community conflates absurdism, death metal and the village green to enact a free forming learning environment. 

Friday 8th April - 6.30pm 

Launch procession lead by Francis Thorburn’s man powered flight simulator machine from King Street 28 King Street, Glasgow, G1 5QP 

Fri 8 & Sun 10 April Live Performance 8pm-10pm* at Caledonia Road Church, G5 OSJ

Sat 9 & Sun 10 April Exhibition Open & Workshops 10am-5pm 

 

Francis Thorburn, Maria Fusco, David Sherry, Jedrzej Cichosz, Urara Tsuchiya, Sion Parkinson, Richard Whitby & Sooyon Kim, Emma Finn, Stasis, Edwin Li, Graham Mack, Frankie Burr, Hazel Powell Astrid Newman & Francesca Hawker, Susan Mowatt, La Malle des Indes, Sally Hackett, Peter Jarsdell Ltd, With students from Edinburgh College of Art, Glasgow School of Art & Newcastle University: Fiona Berry, Anna Danielewicz, Martin Darbyshire, Charlie Dearnley, Michael Di Rienzo, Stella Dixon Deanna Smith, Zoe Griffin, Sarah Grundy, Adam Hussain, Aaron Jose, Rachel Lee, Serafima Mehhovits Nuclear Jelly, Maryanne Royale, Helen Shaddock, Ayshia Taskin, Olivia Turner

On Friday there will be food from special guest Bisan Abu Eisheh, bringing a taste of Palestinian barbecue.

FINDING THE CIRCUS

Caledonia Rd Church is midway between Modern Institute and Tramway (15 min walk)

Subway: Bridge Street (11 minute walk)

Caledonia Rd Church has a dramatic tower, it sits on a junction between A730, A728, Cumberland St and Cathcart Rd, Next to the Brazen Head Pub. 

   

The circus is hosted by WAVEparticle as part of their Open Spaces project.

I hope to see you there!

Announcing the Circus Between Worlds Facebook page

With a month to go until the opening of Circus Between Worlds today sees the launch of the Circus Between Worlds Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/circusbetweenworlds/) and twitter (@circusbetween) account.



Each day will focus on a participating artist, collective or collaboration.



The ball starts rolling with Zoe and Neil today and from tomorrow posts will be in alphabetical order.



Walker & Bromwich are known internationally for their large-scale sculptural works, participatory events and exhibitions that invite audiences to imagine better worlds.



Their expansive art works re-ignite Utopian ideologies through protest, pageant, celebration and contemplation, and have, at their core, a collective desire for an alternative way of living.

http://www.walkerandbromwich.org.uk/home.html

The Science of Colour - Delivered by The Colour Group

On Thursday night I attended an event at Science Central called The Science of Colour. It was delivered by Colour Group (Great Britain), an interdisciplinary society, drawing together people interested in all aspects of colour – its perception, measurement, reproduction and artistic expression.

Dr Carinna Parraman from the Centre for Fine Print Research, spoke about her work with 2.5D printing at the University of the West of England, Bristol. 2.5D printing connects emerging interests in the technical, creative and physical approaches to practice. The process explores capturing, modelling and the application of textured marks that emulate the textured appearance of materials.

Valerie Bonnardel asked the question 'are the associations between words and colour arbitrary, or is there structure?'

She discussed colour as a sign:

There are 3 types of referential associations:

1. ICON - relation of (physical) similarity e.g. yellow = sun

2. INDEX - relation of contiguity (a series of things in continuous connection)

- signal - appears before the event e.g. dark sky gives warning of thunderstorm

- clue - remains after the event e.g. a handprint

- symptom - happens at the same time as the event e.g. leaves change colour as the seasons change

3. SYMBOLIC - relation of conventionality e.g. colours in flags

Dr Gabriele Jordan from the Colour Neuroscience Department at Newcastle University discussed her research into the superpower 'Tetrachromatic Colour Vision', answering the question "Is the red I see the same as the red you see?" by exploring psychophysics, gender differences and colour blindness.

Danny Garside ended the event with his presentation about how we make judgements about lighting. Colour and light are intrinsically linked, and both play a crucial role in how we perceive and 'enjoy' the places and spaces around us. 

What do we mean by 'good light'?

We judge the quality of light in two ways:

1. Based on usefulness - which is scene dependent e.g. is the lighting in a library suitable for reading?

2. Based on aesthetics - which is subjective

Danny proposed different factors that we consider when thinking about the quality of light

- intensity

- direction

- distribution

- temporal (does the light flicker?)

- colour

Different colours of light have been found to be most suitable for different activities. For example,

Blue light is good for working

Orange light is good for relaxation

These findings can be put to good use, for instance using orange lighting in bedrooms to help people sleep.

Danny demonstrated how we have a tendency to be affected more by changes in certain light colours than others, and this depends on the type of image we are looking at.

It was a thought provoking and interesting evening, and I am keen to attend more of the events organised by The Colour Group.

For more information about The Colour Group visit

http://www.colour.org.uk/index.php