DailyGamesNews.com: Rare Digbeth Studio Tour – Jim Horth, Executive Producer of Shared Services for Rare Games, introduces us to their new space in Fazeley Studios, Digbeth (which Jim describes as a ‘Little Soho’). My, the testing area looks like fun.
Sola has been at the forefront of the global Light Art movement for many years and his new collections show just how far he has advanced the boundaries for contemporary and fine art photography and the site has over 50 new images to impress this point.
His Solid Trace series is an ever growing, site-specific collection of work set within the urban environment with its routes set in classic graffiti. The new site exhibits over 20 new images from this breathtaking series.
On the Solid Trace series Sola stated: “I want the light forms to come to life, it’s as though these sculptural forms are lurking in dead spaces within the urban environment and claiming them as their own, living in these otherwise overlooked places.”
Sola’s also presents an impressive new collection of his studio works. His studio practice pioneers new techniques to produce form, structure and dimension purely from light.
“My aim is to take viewers to a new place. Using light as my raw material I create forms and imagery which allow the user to lose themselves in the image” said Sola.
All of Sola’s work is created in camera and benefits from no manipulation or trickery in short, what you see is what he shoots.
A spokesperson for Twycross-based developer Rare has told to Develop that the studio will not be moving its operations to Birmingham….“I can categorically assure you that Rare are not moving from their present premises,” the spokesperson told Develop.
Will they stay in Twycross or will they go? Time will tell.
Catch these somewhat subversive ARTISTS at their launch night on 5 November at The White Swan in Digbeth, 6-9pm. They’ll also be taking part in Grand Union’s artists’ publishing fair as part of The Event on 6 November 12-9pm. For more information about BAZ see their website (take the time to read the PDF’s, they’re very funny) and the recent Created in Birmingham post.
Fazeley studios were vacant yesterday, and cordoned off by RSPCA officers in riot gear, after a crocodile was spotted in the studio of design agency ‘Noodle’ emerging from an air conditioning vent. The croc was thought to have been there from Fazeley Street’s previous use as a reptile-training centre in the 1990s when the economic boom saw a dramatic rise in exotic pets. During the mid 90s it was estimated that there were approximately 3000 crocodiles or alligators being kept as household pets in Birmingham. The studio’s were closed for four days as officers searched for the crazy croc, causing severe disruption to businesses and ARTISTS alike. After four days of searching, the croc was nowhere to be seen. RSPCA officers, satisfied that the croc must have left of its own accord via a back door waterslide, let the creative types back in to continue their doodling and chatting. This is yet another problem for studio provision in the city. Not only are many of them cold and damp – with ARTISTS priced out of alternatives – but the wild animal problem is exacerbating rapidly. If you’ve spotted a wild animal in your studio let BAZ know immediately. Together we can beat this problem. BAZ have set up an emergency funds appeal – The BAZ Wild Animal Van Appeal – to raise money to buy a BAZ van and employ a wild animal hunter to eradicate these dangerous creatures. SEND US YOUR MONEY NOW!
If you belong to a Birmingham based community or neighbourhood group or charity please come and join us, you can drop in any time between 5.30pm and 7pm.
Fazeley Tenants – Fazeley Halloween party – Those funky Fazeley kids are celebrating Halloween in style with a ‘riot of music and entertainment’ on Friday 30th October.
Highgate Lunch Club at Stanhope Hall by Balsallheathan
If it’s been a little quieter than normal on here of late, it’s because I’ve been quite busy with my new job with talk about local, where I’m spreading the hyperlocal joy by helping people in communities across the UK get a powerful online voice and create simple but effective community websites.
At the moment we’re in the West Midlands pilot phase of the project, which means we’ll be delivering training across the region over this autumn, mainly through UK online centres.
We were keen to do something in Highgate as, being based in Fazeley Studios, it’s pretty much on our doorstep and there’s some great things going there which need shouting about. Digbeth life has kept me sufficiently occupied to not explore much beyond Cheapside, but hopefully there’ll soon somewhere online telling Highgate’s story.
One of the best hidden gems I’ve discovered in Highgate, thanks to Friction Arts’ local knowledge, is Stanhope Hall on the corner of Ketley Croft/Emily Street (map here). It’s a community and youth centre that always seems to have something going on – community lunches a couple of times a month, often eating the food they’ve grown in the garden space outside, and a holistic medicine course that started this week.
I met with the Women’s Group there, who agreed it would be great to get what they’re doing online. So this coming Monday 19th October 10.00am-12.00pm talk about local will be holding a free, open session there in the why’s and wherefore’s of community websites. Fingers crossed we’ll even have created a couple by the end!
All are welcome so if you’re free and interested in creating a site, or perhaps you already have a site that you’d like some help with, please come along and meet me and Mike Rawlins at Stanhope Hall at 10.00am on Monday.
Birmingham Book Festival « More Canals than Venice – I met PixieSixer the other night, she’s lovely and not who I’d thought she might be, but I’ve never been any good at guessing games. Here she picks the best of her bunch of Birmingham Book Festival events, including one about Smiths songs at Fazeley Studios:
Paint a Vulgar Picture: Short Stories inspired by The Smiths, 14th October 7.15pm. Fazeley Studios. Join contributors Catherine O’Flynn , Mil Millington and Mike Gayle for readings and discussion about the anthology and why The Smiths have inspired so many writers.
Must admit I never really ‘got’ The Smiths, but despite that I’m still tempted.
Hello Digital promises to be ‘an extravaganza of robotics, illuminations, animations, digital film, music, games, exclusive showcases’. So if you’re into that kind of thing, check out the Hello Digital programme. Most events are at Millennium Point, there’s also an interesting Digital District discussion at Fazeley Studios next Wednesday.
What are the critical success factors of a digital district?
What does a digital district look and feel like elsewhere?
How have digital districts been used to complement the success of established creative quarters?
What has been the experience of digital districts in the recession and what role do they play in boosting economic growth?
How have local authorities in Europe worked with stakeholders such as service providers, SMEs, universities and the local community?
How can Birmingham learn from, and use, the experiences of other European cities?
So, nothing about mobile signals or cashpoints then.
