Opening of Great Exhibition of the North

Friday was the official opening of Great Exhibition of the North and Newcastle and Gateshead were bustling with people enjoying the sunshine and curious about what the festival has in store.

I was at the media call in the morning, and got a sneak preview of the UK's largest water sculpture in action.

Later that night the water sculptures came alive again accompanied by music, poetry, drones, lighting and fireworks.

Laura Wellington

Laura Wellington is a designer that loves colour, pattern and shape.

Laura created the Totem lights whilst designing the Sheaf St Cafeteria bar. She wanted each light to have its own character and style and for the viewer to have a favourite, least favourite or multiple favourites. 

Tasked to create a light that combined shape, colour, pattern and a choice to build your own was what inspired her.

KOTA and cardboard lightshades

I frequently visit Grainger Market, not only passing through on my way to the studio, but regularly stopping to stock up on fruit and vegetables from the range of greengrocers. In and amongst the various eateries, clothes stalls and bargain shops you will find KOTA, Newcastle's first Scandinavian design store selling Scandinavian design, homeware, fashion, stationery, fabric and gifts. It's a favourite of mine!

KOTA is owned by Helsinki-born Krista Puranen Wilson, an interior specialist with a background in styling and desire. Krista wants to offer products by brands that are not already sold in Newcastle.

“I want to be able to offer things that are unique and not just for British people but also some Scandinavians who live in the region. We stock eco-friendly products, hand chosen and in small editions, so there’s very little chance anyone else will have the same item."

I am attracted to the pattern designs and the colours used in many of the products. I enjoy the choice of materials and the simplicity of the designs.



On my latest visit to KOTA I found the ideal range of lights to be installed with my 'Portion Control' publications. They are made from folded cardboard and have a concertina design so would complement the cardboard concertina stools.



https://www.kotastore.uk/

Forms in Space…by Light (in Time) by Cerith Wyn Evans at Tate Britain

Forms in Space…by Light (in Time) is the 2017 Tate Britain Commission in which a contemporary British artist is invited to respond to the Duveen Galleries at Tate Britain.

"The artwork is made from almost 2km of neon lighting, suspended from the ceiling and configured into straight lines, sweeping curves and spiralling forms."

http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/tate-britain-commission-2017

Studio Project Exhibition at Market Gallery

This morning I made a few adjustments to the lighting in the exhibition, so as to ensure that all areas of the gallery is lit and to minimise any light shining directly into the viewers eye as they look at a work. I also tidied up the cables so that people would not trip over them. I was concerned that some people at the opening were not going into certain areas of the gallery because they needed to walk over lighting wires, and so tried to prevent this by moving the wires.

I like the dramatic effect that the lighting creates with it being from the floor as opposed to from above. It matches the angular nature of the sculptures, and makes for some interesting shadows.

I also reassembled the large birch plywood structure so that it stands, using strong wood contact adhesive to secure the two pieces together. I will monitor whether this proves to be an effective solution.

I was delighted that the exhibition was well attended on the first day of it being open, and pleased that people are enjoying the work.

I had a wonderful conversation with Jenny Brownrigg, the Exhibitions Director at Glasgow School of Art, who enjoyed being surprised by discovering more pieces in unusual places the longer that she spent in the space.

I told her that I was hoping to arrange for a kind of 'in conversation' event to be held whilst the exhibition is on. I would like the opportunity to talk with a selected group of artists about some fundamental elements that the exhibition raises such as materiality and colour. I am in discussions with the Market Gallery committee about making this happen, and will keep you posted.