Dan has already covered London, so I’d better have a go at Birmingham and the West Midlands. Here’s a few items from the Architecture Week itinerary that I think will be worth a visit. The sections in italics are extra notes I’ve added about some of the events.
In Conversation with David Adjaye and Hew Locke (June 18)
In Conversation: Architect David Adjaye will discuss architecture and the visual arts with exhibiting artists Hew Locke and Richard Woods.
Venue: The New Art Gallery Week
Gallery Square
Walsall
WS2 8LG
notes: took some pictures of the Hew Locke installation last weekend – see entry immediately before this one
Drawing : City : Futures (June 18)
Unity House: an 18 storey derelict office block due to be demolished, provides a unique opportunity to facilitate a drawing workshop and temporary exhibition on the hoardings around it. It will bring together professional artists, architects, communities & local authority.
Venue: Tonetine Square
Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley)
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1
Vivid Launches its New Space (June 17,18,19,20,21,22)
Vivid launches its new space with a programme of work including international and UK artists Steina Vasulka, Nina Katchadourian, Ivan and Heather Morison, Adele Prince, Calum Stirling, Layla Curtis, Kate Pemberton and John Hammersley.
Venue: Vivid
140 Heath Mill Lane
Birmingham
B9 4AR
notes: I’ve mentioned Kate Pemberton’s work here before – see entry on endfile.com
The Bells of St Martin’s – Finale Event (June 26)
Come and hear the iconic bells of St Martin’s in the Bullring, Birmingham ringing out a new composition by the US sound artist Bill Fontana and walk through the Eastside regeneration area, to listen afresh and gain a new understanding of its’ distinctive acoustic landscape.
Venue: Locations in Eastside
Birmingham
B1
Artbox/ Foot Prints InTheSnow / Rick Myers (June 17-26)
An ongoing personal project charting the artist’s thought processes and creative connections. Rick Myers presents a collection of limited edition posters, screenprints and paper sculptures housed in a portable wooden museum. This event forms part of the Artbox 2005, The Mailbox art programme.
Venue: The Mailbox
Wharfside St
Birmingham
B1 1XL
The Mailbox Final Phase Design Competition (June 17-26)
The Mailbox have conducted a design competition for their final phase with six leading architects. The designs will be displayed throughout AW in The Mailbox. The architects are Marks Barfield, Ken Shuttleworth’s MAKE, Associated Architects, D5, Glenn Howells Architects and Kinetic.
Venue: The Mailbox
Wharfside Street
Birmingham
B1 1RP
notes: looking forward to seeing how the new kids on the block, Kinetic, square up to the establishment – either way, I hope a Birmingham practice get it rather than Barfield or MAKE
WAG New Galleries and Working with Listed Buildings (June 22)
A talk by Niall Phillips, of Niall Phillips Architects Ltd, Bristol on their work on developing the new triangular galleries for the Pop Art Collection and touring exhibitions at WAG, and their work on listed buildings.
Venue: Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Lichfield Street
Wolverhampton
WV1 1DU
notes: this baby’s on-site right now, although sadly Simon Patterson’s art installation for it has been removed from the project. I mentioned this project here way back when I first started this blog. If you want to see more of Patterson, he’s at the Ikon gallery until the 17th.
Birmingham School of Architecture & Landscape End of Year Show (June 21,22,23)
This exhibition showcases the best work from across our architecture and landscape degree and postgraduate courses.
Venue: 4 Brindleyplace
Brindleyplace, off Broad Street
Birmingham
B1 2JF
notes: I shall be there to support the school in its recovery from the last few months of turmoil – come along and buy me a drink.
From Westside to Eastside – an Architecture Week Walk (June 17-26)
A self-guided architectural walk from Brindley Place to Millennium Point. Promoted through widely distributed postcards. Also available on www.architectureweek.org.uk – Tours
Venue: Birmingham City Centre
notes: Route laid out by friend and ex-tutor Joe Holyoak – he’s the guy who asked Amanda Levete why Selfridges is the shape it is – see my entry entitled ‘that building’ for the answer.