Above: Brian Griffiths ‘Beneath the Stride of Giants’ 2004, wood
Extra Ordinary
26.06.10 - 11.09.10
Blackpool has an important history of sideshow and fairground entertainment, which showcased the exotic, the amazing and the bizarre. With a resurgence in the popularity of such entertainment in recent years Extra Ordinary purposefully sets out to embrace this culture, looking at magic, horror, clairvoyance and spectacle, but removes its focus from the exotic to include artworks that find the extraordinary within the mundane.
The exhibition brings together artworks by six contemporary artists, repositioning everyday objects, or familiar routines and experiences to become absurd or magical. It includes Brian Griffths' 'Beneath the Stride of Giants', a vast maritime vessel, part real part mythical, constructed of salvaged furniture and discarded material and a talking cardboard box called ‘Born as a Box’ by Shimabuku.
Above: ‘Adam’ being transported from London to Blackpool, 1939. Image courtesy the Local and Family History Centre, Blackpool Central Library.
Jacob Epstein and Blackpool
26.06.10 - 11.09.10
Jacob Epstein’s carving ‘Adam’ was first shown in Blackpool during the 1939 summer holiday season. During this time Jacob Epstein was a household name, synonymous with the negative opinions aimed at modern art.
The showing of 'Adam' was to be the start of a fascinating relationship between Epstein’s work and Blackpool that would stretch to 1961. The showing of more of Epstein's major carvings followed: 'Jacob and the Angel' in 1942, and by 1958 'Genesis', ‘Consummatum Est’, 'Adam' and 'Jacob and the Angel' were displayed together in Louis Tussauds on the Promenade.
Blackpool exhibited Epstein’s work when the art establishment would not, always proclaiming it to be great art. It brought its marketing and showmanship expertise to modern art and drew massive audiences by doing so. Epstein was top of the bill.
Jacob Epstein and Blackpool looks back at these showings through a selection of the press coverage that was generated at the time to revaluate the events and reveal that they were not the freak shows at the fairground they have been branded by art critics and commentators in recent times, but a story of the clash between Modernist high art and popular culture.
Exhibition tour and Workshop (adaptable for all key stages)
Education Officer led tour of exhibitions:
We will explore Jacob Epstein and Blackpool by looking at the articles as evidence and analysing the language and opinions conveyed. We will also watch a short film about the artwork.
We will explore Extra Ordinary by creating a mythical story inspired by the huge boat structure and discussing the films and sculptures by the other five artists.
Creative Workshop:
Using cardboard, lollipop sticks and tape we will create our own mythical boats full of character and mystery.
Please contact the Education Officer, Kerry Hunt on 01253 478170 or kerry.hunt@blackpool.gov.uk for more information or to book for a free visit.
