Welcome to the 24 Hour Museum news in brief page for the week ending November 2 2008.
31.10.2008 – ArtisanCam receives third BAFTA nomination
ArtisanCam has been nominated for a BAFTA Children’s Award in the Learning Primary category for a third time.
The Awards recognise and reward creative excellence in children’s productions – in film, television and online.
The interactive website is a resource for teachers and young people and aims to raise the profile of contemporary visual artists in schools while inspiring and encouraging activity in the arts.
Presenter Keith Chegwin will announce the winners at the ceremony on Sunday November 30 2008 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
31.10.2008 – Suffolk sculptors display commemorative seat for National Trust’s Sutton Hoo
A group of chainsaw sculptors from Suffolk have carved a commemorative seat made from oak, for the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo.
The Hearts of Oak sculptors spent the summer creating the 12 ft high, 10 ft wide seat that was commissioned by Dick and Lisa Robinson in commemoration of Dick’s mother, Elizabeth Robinson, who was A National Trust volunteer at Waddesdon Manor.
Sutton Hoo Property Manager Jonathan White, said: “We will be positioning it in an idyllic spot, just off the footpath. The seat will overlook the burial mounds to the left and Tranmer House to the right, with the River Deben and Woodbridge in the foreground.”
31.10.2008 – New work of art for London’s Tube map cover by artist Pae White
London Tube customers can now pick up the latest Pocket Tube map cover from stations with a new design by artist Pae White.
The new artwork ‘…fragment of a Magic Carpet, circa 1213’ was commissioned by Art on the Underground, London Underground’s award-winning art programme. White will also make the next work for the flagship exhibition space at London’s Gloucester Road station.
Artist Pae White said: “The work plays on the idea of networks, storytelling and mythology, weaving the colours of the different colours of the different Underground lines from Harry Beck’s iconic Tube map together as a rug.”
“Tapestry is considered to be one of the highest forms of art in the Middle East and by taking this form, the work is a small tribute to cultural integration.”
29.10.2008 – Roger Hiorns' SEIZURE extended until November 30 2008
Roger Hiorns’ crystallised council flat in London has extended its opening for a month due to huge popularity.
Hundreds of people every day have been making the pilgrimage to the unlikely location at 157 Harper Road, near the Elephant & Castle, since its opening two months ago.
Originally set to close this Sunday, the piece, which requires viewers to don supplied wellington boots in order to walk through the sparkling blue surfaces, is now open until the end of November.
75,000 litres of copper sulphate solution were pumped into the flat to create the crystalline growth on the walls, floor, ceiling and bath of the abandoned dwelling.
The new opening hours, effective from November 6, are 11am – 5pm Thursday to Sunday. The site will be closed from Monday to Wednesday. See www.artangel.org.uk for more information.
28.10.2008 – LS Lowry’s Ebbw Vale painting returns to The Herbert in Coventry
An oil-on-canvas painting by nationally renowned artist LS Lowry has returned to The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery in Coventry.
The painting, entitled Ebbw Vale, was on loan to The Lowry art gallery at Salford Quays in Manchester while The Herbert gallery began its £20 million refurbishment and extension in 2005.
“It’s fantastic to have the Lowry painting back at The Herbert,” said Ron Clarke, keeper of visual arts at The Herbert.
“Many of the paintings that were in storage at The Herbert while the refurbishment was carried out, have now been re-hung in the galleries and look great – we are really looking forward to re-opening them to the public so everyone can appreciate the Lowry and of course, all of the other fantastic paintings on display.”
Ebbw Vale, painted 48 years ago, is considered one of Lowry’s more unusual works due to its larger size compared to his other famous paintings.
The Lowry painting will be on view in the ‘Art since 1900’ gallery at The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery from November.
28.10.2008 – Scottish Opera unveils bronze sculptures by Jill Watson
Scottish Opera has unveiled two original limited-edition bronze sculptures by well-known Scottish sculptor Jill Watson, commissioned to tie in with the opening of new production La Traviata.
One sculpture depicts the principle characters in the opera – doomed French courtesan Violetta Valéry and her lover Alfedo – and the other is a single figure of Violetta.
Scottish Opera General Director Alex Reedijk said: “These wonderful sculptures will provide a permanent memento of this very special production, as well as a chance for art and opera lovers to share their enthusiasm for it with us and invest in a fantastic piece of art.”
The bronze castings are limited to 30 of each, and are uniquely numbered, signed and authenticated. They are expected to raise substantial funds for Scottish Opera.
27.10.2008 - Arts Award just the business for National Library Exhibition
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) exhibition 'Words Out of Place', has won the Small Business Award at the Arts and Business Scotland Awards 2008. The award was presented last week at a ceremony in Aberdeen.
On show at the Library throughout February 2008, the exhibition featured works created by artist Catriona Taylor in response to and inspired by items from NLS collections, including manuscripts of Sir Walter Scott, poems of Sorley MacLean and letters home from Scottish emigrants.
"We're delighted to win this award," said Cate Newton, Director of Collections and Research at NLS. "The collaboration between ourselves, Henzteeth and Catriona Taylor was a wonderfully innovative project, bringing exciting new interpretations to the Library’s collections through the combination of the written word with visual art."
27.10.2008 – Make a snake with the National Trust and Npower as part of Energy Saving Week
As part of Energy Saving Week, Penrhyn Castle in Wales will be hosting ‘Make a Snake’ workshops for children on October 30 – 31 2008.
© The National Trust
Children will spend an afternoon (12pm-4pm) making snake-shaped draft excluders to help reduce heating bills at home and families will receive free energy-saving light bulbs.
The workshops are supported by the National Trust’s energy partner Npower and eight other National Trust properties across England will be hosting similar events.
Kevin Peake, Npower’s Marketing Director said: “We have been working with the National Trust for almost a year and have established a successful green electricity product – National Trust Green Energy; and created a partnership that actively seeks new ways to provide people’s homes and communities with energy services that encourage the minimum use of carbon.”
The workshops form part of the wider work being carried out by the National Trust Green Energy Fund, which promotes the development of small-scale renewable energy generation projects at houses, cottages and mansions in the Trust’s care.
27.10.2008 – Impressionism and Scotland exhibition to open at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Impressionism and Scotland is to open to the public at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Friday 31 October 2008.
The exhibition will showcase 30 masterpieces by the likes of Monet, Degas, Passarro, and Matisse and the Scots they inspired including the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists
Bailie Liz Cameron, Chair of Culture and Sport, Glasgow, said: “I am delighted to see so many beautiful paintings going on show as part of this exhibition. Many of them are owned by the people of Glasgow and are yet more proof of the international significance of our collections."
“Impressionism and Scotland is a wonderful chance to explore the influences of the Glasgow Boys who will be the subject of the definitive exhibition of their works at Kelvingrove in 2010.”
The exhibition will run until February 1 2009 and is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
