The Lombard Method is a recently opened independently run studio and project space in Cheapside led by eight Birmingham based artists. It is a large communal studio with flexible project spaces…now occupied by eleven artists.
The Lombard Method is off Cheapside at 68a Lombard Street, Birmingham, B12 0QR
Today sees the big bang launch of The Event – a myriad of art exhibitions, installations and happenings around Digbeth way. They’ve had some initial tours of the venues – you can see a round-up of yesterday’s tour on The Event’s blog.
One highlight is the gorgeous old warehouse space that is The Lombard Method being used for Crowd6’s exhibition, which has a slightly filmic feel to it. Remember cult 80’s sci-fi comedy Inner Space? Remember the pair of glasses the teeny-tiny spaceship got sneezed onto at the end?
There’s also a scary horror to balance things out in the shape of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. All work and no play….
Whilst you’re there take the trouble to walk up to the top floor to see the projection piece, a lovely work that brings the building’s industrial past to life.
Another new space being showcased is the Grand Union on Fazeley Street, which should make you smile.
One thing that made me smile was The Family, who claim they aren’t a cult. They just like group music-making, exercises such as ‘Waking The Sun’ and translating messages from their god Baby sent via a blue bunny on Ana’s chest. That’s all.
On the move over The Event is the Transit Station, who have taken the pound store approach to marketing. Watch out for the truck and cute Morris Minor.
Whilst you’re wandering around Digbeth experiencing all the wonderful art, be sure to take time to stop for a chat on Digbeth High Street.
To enjoy some green space in the midst of all that gritty urban, check out the Pigeon Project in Rea Garden on Floodgate Street.
And once your art trek is finished, relax over a pint of The Event Ale at The Anchor.
The event is on until this Sunday 8th Nov, so you’ve the whole weekend to get around it.
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!
It’s not every day you see men washing shellfish in urban Digbeth. But that’s exactly what workers from Eastside Projects have been doing for the past couple of days on Floodgate Street. It’s in preparation for the launch of the new exhibition Abstract Cabinets on the evening of this Friday 25 Sept.
Abstract Cabinet Show is a public sphere of groups, collaborations, galleries in galleries and other phenomena joined together to execute functional constructions and to alter or refurbish existing structures as a means of surviving in a capitalist economy.
So expect to see these shells turned into into something thoroughly useful.
Other events coming up at Eastside Projects include a Comedy Night on 8th Oct (7pm, as part of Birmingham Comedy Festival), the Mother of All Book Launches from 6.30pm on 22nd Oct and the launch of The Event on 6th Nov, which looks particularly promising:
For the Launch of The Event, the 2nd festival of artist led activity in Birmingham, there will be two new major performance works. Stan’s Café will provide live commentary of the launch night as a durational performance from the top of the large tunnel structure in the gallery and Juneau Projects present a new multi-media performance in the form of a live gig with hand made instruments/sculptures, outfits and sound reactive visuals and audience percussion.
