Photos from the exhibition in the Lomabrd Method

MASH HER DIP, Family Brand, an installation,  2011

MASH HER DIP, Family Brand, an installation,  2011

MASH HER DIP, Family Brand, an installation,  2011

MASH HER DIP, Family Brand, an installation,  2011

MASH HER DIP, Family Brand, an installation,  2011

Christian Costa,   part of   photographic installation THE GANG OF FOUR MICHEL, GIORGIO, JACQUES, SLAVOJ, 2011

Christian Costa, the part of video installation SITE SPECIFIC CINEMA DIGBETH, AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 2011

Christian Costa,   part of   photographic installation THE GANG OF FOUR MICHEL, GIORGIO, JACQUES, SLAVOJ, 2011

 Christian Costa,   part of   photographic installation THE GANG OF FOUR MICHEL, GIORGIO, JACQUES, SLAVOJ, 2011

 Kamila Szejnoch,  For what?,  film documentation of mural painting, 2011

Post - Industrial Revolution wouldn't happen if not kind help of many people. Thank you all!

With special thanks to: Adam Smythe, Alicja Kaczmarek, Andy Green, Anna Lenart, Anna Cielecka-Gibson, Anita Mann, Daisy Foster, Daniel ‘Newso’, Emma Bowen, Gemma Mitchell, Hanna Nadobna, Julia Skupny, Joanne Masding, Joe Welden, Karolina Kosciuch, Kelly Merriman, Liz Davies, Maria Garcia-Bernal + housemates, Martyna Winkel, Matt Foster, Matt Geden,  Natalia Oleszak, Nicky Getgood, Nicola Lowery, the Pennington - Wilsons,  Penny McConnel, Rachel Darke, Sam Groves, Sandra Hall, Sarah Farmer, Tim Stock,  Tymoteusz Jozwiak

Organisations: Wyspa Institute of Art, Anchor Pub, the Custard Factory, Eastside Projects, The Lombard Method, Friction Arts and VIVID .

Christian's Costa commision for the Post-Industrial Revolution

 Christian Cista, the part of video installation SITE SPECIFIC CINEMA: DIGBETH, AN AUTOBIOGRAPH, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

Christian’s artistic practice is focused on identities connected to places and perception of the genius loci.  For Post-Industrial Revolution he developed a site specific expanded cinema, which he describes as a medium capable of  joining cinema, television, video, video art, documentary and fiction.  Christian  has  created an installation in two parts,  consisting of film and found imagery reflective of his time here in Digbeth. He carefully selected images, often with political connotations (such as CCTV  cameras). 

 Christian Cista, the part of video installation SITE SPECIFIC CINEMA: DIGBETH, AN AUTOBIOGRAPH, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

 Christian Cista, the part of video installation  SITE SPECIFIC CINEMA: DIGBETH, AN AUTOBIOGRAPH, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

Christian Cista, a set of postcards for Birmingham, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

Christian Cista, a set of postcards for Birmingham, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

Artist  also produced the set of photographs for Birmingham which hilights 'uniportant' sites of the city.  He is interested in forgotten spaces such as the hidden river Rea, city graveyards (now utilized as parks), as well as derelict public houses of Digbeth. Showing this disused places brings them to attention again and rediscovers their forgotten haritage. 

Chris also placed some books in the gallery  by thinkers he is inpired by: Slavoj Zizek (First as tragedy, then as farce), Michel Foucault (Discipline and punish), Jacques Rancière (Hatred of Democracy) and by Giorgio Agamben. He created a cosy corner with a chair - as a place to read, to see the installation and to watch the film. Visitors are invited to read the books and to share their thoughts on the pages. 

Christian Cista, the part of   photographic installation THE GANG OF FOUR: MICHEL, GIORGIO, JACQUES, SLAVOJ, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

Christian Cista, the part of   photographic installation THE GANG OF FOUR: MICHEL, GIORGIO, JACQUES, SLAVOJ, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

Christian Cista, the part of   photographic installation THE GANG OF FOUR: MICHEL, GIORGIO, JACQUES, SLAVOJ, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

Christian Cista, the part of   photographic installation THE GANG OF FOUR: MICHEL, GIORGIO, JACQUES, SLAVOJ, commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska,  2011

For what? - Kamila's Szejnoch commission for the Post-Industrial Revolution

Kamila Szejnoch,  For what?,  commissioned as part of 'Post - Industrial Revolution' curated by Kate Pennington-Wilson and Roma Piotrowska, Custard Factory, 2011, photo by Nicky Getgood 

The Exhibition will be open until the end of this week so this is the last chance for you to see outcomes of the month-long residency of Polish artists in Digbeth.  
In this post you can find more information about the work of Kamila's Szejnoch, which will be followed by posts about other artists in the next few days. 
During her stay Kamila Szejnoch has developed a fascination with the Birmingham coat of arms, using it as a focal point of her research.  In particular she is interested in the motto for the city ‘Forward’.  

The coat of arms of Birmingham 

For Kamila exploring the significance of symbols and monuments associated with a city is significant, and she often develops whole bodies of work in relation to obscure local references to civic pride. She tries to approach outdated layers of the past by adding something new, contrasting with its original style or function. Her works often consist of two elements, one is history and tradition, the  second is more contemporary, open, playful and interactive.

For Post – Industrial Revolution Kamila has developed a series of site specific interventions through out Digbeth.  Most notably ‘For what?’ a large scale text piece situated in a car park next to the Custard Factory facing Digbeth High St.  ‘For what?’ is a direct response to the 'Forward' mural, an earlier art work referencing Birmingham's coat of arms in a car park on Heathmill Lane.  'For what?” aims to instigate a dialogue about the past and future of the district by responding to the statement ‘Forward’ with a question. 

Newso, Forward, art work referencing Birmingham's coat of arms in a car park on Heathmill Lane, photo by Nicky Getgood 

The exhibition and workshops Post - The Industrial Revolution

Taking part in the Post - The Industrial Revolution workshop  is a great opportunity for a creative Sunday with a whole family.  This session begins with a look around the exhibition followed by creating works of art relating to the themes present in the show.
All ages welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Space for workshops must be booked in advance via e-mail:
postindustrial.revolution@gmail.com


Workshop for parents and children
Sunday, February 27, 2011, 11.00-12:30
Lombard Method, 68a Lombard Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QR
Free admission

Exhibition
Saturday 19 February - Sunday 27 February 2011
The exhibition is open from Thursday to Sunday from 11.00-18.00
Lombard Method, 68a Lombard Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QR
Free admission

Post - Industrial Revolution: Exhibition 19 – Sunday 27 February 2011 Open Thursday – Sunday from 11am -6pm

Preview, The Lombard Method, 18 February 2011

 

After a very busy week of installing we are happy to invite you to the exhibition!

Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 February 2011

Open Thursday – Sunday from 11am -6pm

The Lombard Method, 68a Lombard Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QR

Admission free

Below you can find some pictures from the talk, Fridays opening and after party in the Anchor Pub! 

 

Preview, The Lombard Method, 18 February 2011

MASH/HER/DIP, Preview, The Lombard Method, 18 February 2011

 Preview, The Lombard Method, 18 February 2011

 Kamila Szejnoch, Preview, The Lombard Method, 18 February 2011

 Preview, The Lombard Method, 18 February 2011

 

After party in the Anchor Pub and a very special Post-Industrial Revolution ale!

Artist's Talk, Eastside Projects, 17 Feb 2011

Artist's Talk, Eastside Projects, 17 Feb 2011

Tomorrow: Artists' Talk

Post-Industrial Revolution, the  crit, 11 Feb 2011, the Lombard Method 

Come and join us for the artists talk! The talk will give you an insight in what we were doing through the last month. 

Thursday 17 February 2011, 6.30 - 8pm Eastside Projects, 86 Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4ARFor further information visit http://www.extraspecialpeople.org/

Off-site project by Kamila Szejnoch

Parts of our Post-Industrial Revolution project is based off-site. Kamila Szejnoch, who usually works in a public space, realised a mural refering to one of the Birmingham's most signifficant symbol. We can't tell you what is it yet, but you can have a look on it on the Custard Factory's wall just now. It has been painted on the wall in the car park and is visible from Digbeth High Street. Tthis is how the wall of Custard Factory looked before Kamila started to paint:

Custard Factory map

Post-Industrial Revolution is looking for volunteers!

Yes, you can find out how does the realisation of an artistic project look like from the inside. Working with us is a great opportunity  to learn and meet interesting people. As a volunteer, you will be a part of our team working during production of the residency in Birmingham and with planning the Polish leg of the Post-Industrial Revolution project. 

If you’re interested, please email us on postindustrial.revolution@gmail.com

How to find us in Digbeth: the Lombard Method

It takes 15 minutes to get (by bus or on food) from Corporation St to the Lombard Method. Take the bus number 5 or 6 from Corporation St and get off on Bradford St opposite Mosley St (the bus stop just after the White Swan pub) and turn right into Mosley St, then walk up the road. The Lombard Method is on the corner with Mosley St and Lombard St in Digbeth on the left hand side. 


Adress: The Lomabrd Method, 68a Lombard Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QR

MASH/HER/DIP

MASH/HER/DIP, Dinner with a Cannary, Malta Festival Poznan, 2010

In a few days we are expecting the arrival of a culinary art group MASH/HER/DIP, which is   created by Olga Badowska, Joanna Baranowska and Anna Kasińska. The group officially began in 2009 but the artists had worked with each other before on numerous occasions. Anna and Olga run the Underground Restaurant – a private underground restaurant commenting on the
tradition of elitist meetings. Together with Joanna, they created their interactive multimedia performance “Pampering” in New Theatre in Warsaw and run a Food Jockeys Night in one of Warsaw biggest theatres – Teatr Dramatyczny – Café Kulturalna. Their latest project called “Dinner with a Canary” was created within New Situations at Malta Festival Poznan 2010.


MASH/HER/DIP perceives feeding their audience with their unique dishes as a tool allowing them getting inside of the viewer in a subtle and sometimes brutal way. Food is an essential ingredient of every performance. The viewers and participants always co-create the project and become its crucial element. The group use various means of expression in their project such as video art, acting/performing and sound. All their activities are preceded by thorough research and study. Cooking allows MASH/HER/DIP create a completely different reality and gives an
opportunity to look deeper into our everyday existence.

MASH/HER/DIP, Dinner with a Cannary, Malta Festival Poznan, 2010

What, where, when - find out about our upcoming events!

Digbeth an area traditionally at the heart of British industry plays host to three emerging Polish artists exploring its heritage. Their month stay will accumulate in an exhibition summarising their research of Digbeth and its historical and social context.

Artists:

Christian Costa, Kamila Szejnoch, MASH/HER/DIP

Artists' Talk

Thursday 17 February 2011, 6.30 - 8pm

Eastside Projects, 86 Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AR

For further information visit http://www.extraspecialpeople.org/

Preview

Friday 18 February 2011, 6-9pm

The Lombard Method, 68a Lombard Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QR

Admission free

Exhibition

Saturday 19 - Sunday 27 February 2011

Open Thursday - Sunday from 11am -6pm

The Lombard Method, 68a Lombard Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QR

Admission free

Parent & Children Workshop

Sunday 27 February 2011, 11am-12.30pm*

The Lombard Method, 68a Lombard Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QR

Admission free

*All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Workshop

places have to be booked in advance via e-mail: postindustrial.revolution@gmail.com

The Project is conceived by Birmingham-based curators Roma Piotrowska and Kate Pennington-Wilson in partnership with Polish Expats Association (PEA). Post-Industrial Revolution is developed in collaboration with the Lombard Method (UK) and Wyspa Institute of Art (Poland). The call for submissions for British artists will be circulated in January 2011 with the residency and exhibition taking place from May 2011 at Wyspa Institute of Art (Gdansk).

Post – Industrial Revolution is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.

For further information please visit www.postindustrialrevolution.eu 

Contact: postindustrial.revolution@gmail.com or 07507361837

The first day of the residency

St. Basils Church, Heath Mill Lane, phot. Ell Brown

Kate Pennington-Wilson and I collected our first artist Kamila Szejnoch from Digbeth Coach station yesterday evening, so the residency has officially started.  The first day went very well. The weather was good, we had an original fish & chips from the Rag Market and we discovered some new facts about Digbeth. We also had a proper look into a fascinating building, the St Basil's Church in Digbeth which is now the St Basil's Centre on  Heath Mill Lane. St Basil's Centre works with young people to prevent youth homelessness. In the 1960s building was the meeting place of the Double Zero motorcycle club. A lovely lady who works there let us in and shown arround, so we could see this great example of Arts and Crafts primitivism, constructed in 1910-11 to a design by A.S. Dixon, from the inside. Building was refurbished in the 1980s, so even though the original chapel is still there, the nave is filled in with the offices. Originally the building was built as a catholic church, but now the chapel can be used from time to time by all religions.

Birmingham Rag Market, phot.  mondoagogo

Kamila Szejnoch

Kamila Szejnoch, Swing, installation, Memorial to the Berling Army Soldiers, Okrzei Street, Warsaw, September 20th, 2008 

Kamila Szejnoch, Swing, installation, Memorial to the Berling Army Soldiers, Okrzei Street, Warsaw, September 20th, 2008 

Today we would like to introduce you to Kamila Szejnoch's art practice.  Kamila deals with art in a public space. She has realised   installations, sculptures and urban designs in several European cities such as Warsaw, Oslo, Belgrade, Yerevan, Fribourg,  and  Lublin. Her favourite topics are history, ideology and religion – the elements which influence our identity. She  tries  to approach outdated layers of the past by adding something new, contrasting with its original style or function. Most of her works consist of two elements. One is historical and traditional, second one is more contemporary, open, playful and interactive. One of her public space projects suggested the change of the function of  post Soviet monuments, which served the communist propaganda to commemorate Polish-Soviet brotherhood in arms. Her intervention into those grim monuments has ‘changed’ them into big toys – carousel, slide and swing. The installation “Swing” (September 2008) was based on a contrast between monumental bronze Army soldier and a tiny individual swung by a big hand of history. Her aim was to highlight historical complexity, to show relation - individual versus historical machine.

More about Kamila's works: http://www.kamilaszejnoch.com/

Socio-political changes in both cities

David Miller, factory, Digbeth 

Birmingham has developed significantly through the Industrial Revolution, therefore, has a reputation of a working-class city. Trade unions were created in Graet Britain in 1824 and became popular during the Industrial Revolution in many countries. Both, the Gdansk Shipyard, and Digbeth, were not only important industrial centers, but also witnesses of socio – political changes. Archive footage shows Digbeth, as a place where closing of factories, anti-fascist marches, and worker's strikes were taking place, due to recession, unemployment, demise of industry, and  its movement abroad. In Gdansk, Strikes which were held in the shipyard 30 years ago by the 'Solidarity' (the first independent trade union in the Communist bloc), helped to overthrow communism in the Central - Eastern Europe.

 Digbeth related footage you can find here:

http://www.macearchive.org/Media.html?Title=28292

http://www.macearchive.org/Media.html?Title=28329

http://www.macearchive.org/Media.html?Title=2555  

http://www.macearchive.org/Media.html?Title=23030 

 http://www.macearchive.org/Media.html?Title=1048  

 http://www.macearchive.org/Media.html?Title=15675