Culture Diary w/c 17-06-2019
Our pick of this week’s arts, design, film and music events from around the North of England and the rest of the UK – and loads of it’s free!
Monday – Open Forum – ROOT-ed Zine 6pm @ Exhibition Research Lab, Liverpool – FREE
Founded in 2018 by artists Amber Akaunu and Fauziya Johnson, ROOT-ed Zine responds to “a lack of representation in university, media, galleries and museums”. Tonight, Johnson recounts her experience of the ups and downs of running such an organisation in the city and beyond. “Providing a neutral space for open discourse,” expect conversation around artist-led practice, the nature of working with big institutions and running an indie publication today.
Tuesday – Panel Discussion: Can’t See the Wood for the Trees 4pm @ Victoria Gallery & Museum, Liverpool – FREE
Currently on display as part of LOOK Photo Biennial, Can’t See the Wood for the Trees features photography dealing with the overlap of trees and the urban environment, from John Davies and Tabitha Jussa. Hear from Davies and Jussa as they discuss issues around encroachment of cities and the threat posed to green spaces. The photographers are joined by experts in the field, Dr Andrew Hacket-Pain and Dr Morag Rose (Biogeography and Ecology/ Geography and Planning respectively), as well as Tracy Marshall, Director of Development and Partnerships at Open Eye Gallery.
Wednesday – Stereolab 7pm @ Albert Hall, Manchester – POSTPONED
Ever get a recurring earworm? A song that from time to time is just present? Happily, one of mine is Sterelab’s Lo Boob Oscillator, a brilliant driving track (as with so many of theirs of this vintage), it contains ennui, yet is – somehow – also uplifting. Although critically acclaimed, Stereolab rarely threatened true crossover success. After suffering tragedy with the death of guitarist and vocalist Mary Hansen in 2002 (while out riding her bike), extended hiatus followed. Last year, after almost nearly a decade, with the rerelease of key records followed by whispers and then confirmation of the band’s reforming, a tour was announced. It’s good to have them back.
Thursday – Exhibition Opening: Katherine Dereli 6pm @ Output gallery, Liverpool – FREE
Though working across disciplines including painting, sculpture, ceramics and drawings, for this exhibition at Output, artist Katherine Dereli presents a selection of paintings – the gallery’s first painting-only show. Ormskirk-based Dereli, who specialises in figurative works and portraiture, produced these works largely in response to the #paintingaday challenge. She has said of her work: “I want someone looking at what I do to be closer to the raw perception. I want what I work on to be more like how things look to me than how photographs of things look.”
Friday – Black Midi + Rattle 7.30pm @ Phase One, Liverpool – £10
The latest catnip to indie music press (which needn’t be a negative thing), London-based Black Midi are the definite current band du jour, recently dubbed a “new type of British guitar band.” With just over a year of playing together under their belts, they’re riding the crest of a wave which has culminated in their recent signing to Rough Trade. Coupling the insistent vibe and drive of post-hardcore, with electronics and a large dash of unpredictability, they’re refreshingly keen to distinguish themselves from the binaries so long associated with genre.
Saturday – Bido100! Presents: Inside Pages 1pm @ Constellations, Liverpool – £16.50
Earlier this year, Liverpool music mag Bido Lito! racked up their 100th issue. They mark and celebrate that milestone with their very own festival: Inside Pages. “The concept for the festival was simple: create a full-blown celebration of the artists and music community our magazine was established to champion.” Reflecting this, the all-dayer includes The Mysterines, Seatbelts, RongoRongo and DJ sets from Stealing Sheep, Jacques Malchance and Melodic Distraction, to name a few.
Exhibition Closing: Larry Achiampong Dividednation @ Primary, Nottingham – FREE
The title of this exhibition seems all too timely in its observation that we are a people gripped by polemics – whether they be of climate change, Brexit, or any other such albatross that may rear its head. But there is hope, too (perhaps), suggested by the strike-through, leaving us with divination; that is, to look into the future. An artist whose point of departure is Afrofuturism, the exhibition is Achiampong’s most comprehensive to date, including video, installation, performance, sculpture, and text-based works to address the UK’s increasingly dizzying socio-political landscape.
Sunday – Exhibition Closing: Survey @ the Bluecoat, Liverpool – FREE
“A major study of new work by early-career artists from across the UK” is the rationale for this group exhibition convened after nominations made by more established peers, including the likes of Pil and Galia Kollectiv, Andy Holden and Rachel Maclean. Participating artists include Simeon Barclay, Rae-Yen Song, Hazel Brill and Frank Wasser, making for an eclectic mix of styles and disciplines, that covers film, performance, ceramics, installation and painting.
Mike Pinnington
Images from top: Relic Traveller, Larry Achiampong; Stereolab; Katherine Dereli; Happy Happy Leaf, Rae-Yen Song
