May programme

Dates to put in your diary!

6/5: BAFTA award winning film maker Michael Clifford

Michael is a two times BAFTA award winning film maker. 'Brown Paper Bag' won best short film 2004 and 'Hiding Place' won a children's BAFTA in the same year. Since 1994 Michael has directed documentaries, drama and gallery installations for Channel 4, BBC, Channel 5, UK Film Council, The Arts Council and Screen WM. Two of Michael's documentaries are RTS award winners - 'Danger UXO' 1998 and 'The Man Who Wouldn't Paint Hitler' 2002. Michael has his own company – Grand Union Productions Ltd, which has a slate of feature films in development. Have a look at http://www.michaelbaigclifford.co.uk/ for some clips of his films.

13/5: performance artist Dr Jane Bacon

Jane is based at the Performance Studies Department of the University of Northampton where she works as Divisional Leader and Reader.

20/5: (performance) artist and film maker Dr Mo White
Mo about her practice:
”I am an artist working in the moving image, photographic media, print and drawing. My interests are in visualising gender, diasporic identity, and queer identities within a context of critical art practices. For some time my work has placed my own body at its centre, in what has become a series of 'performances for the camera'. Whilst the subject matter of the work changes, the object that is embodied in the work remains the same; the artist-self. This way of working that I have been developing throughout my practice raises questions about how this artist-self can be and is conceptualised.

What she can speak of and how she can speak it - and if she can speak at all, in the public space.
This is clearly not the same self as the one that practices everyday life; or the one that writes this - it is a self which is narrated in the work. Recent concerns have been with addressing themes of dislocation, desire and memory reflecting on the experience of Irish migration. In my current work started on an AA2A residency at University of Wolverhampton in 2008 I began to address the theme of movement and stillness, and again visualise the body engaged in an action; a performance for the camera. I also write and have recently been awarded a doctorate for research examining film theories which emerged in the 1970's and their effect on artists working in the moving image from 1970s to the present.”
Mo’s work and cv are included on the axis website: http://www.axisweb.org/

27/5: (dance & performance) artist and film maker Saranjit Birdi

One of the many projects this multi-disciplined artist took part in was the SUR-FACE exhibition at The Works Gallery in Birmingham. There he explored social dynamics of territory and freedom through the surface of a life-size, action-painting installation combined with dance, movement and mark making as an art form. Saranjit is based in Birmingham, West Midlands. Have a look at his cv and website http://www.saranjitbirdi.com/ to get a sense of his diversity.

Solo exhibitions
· 2005 EXPANSIONS- multimedia exhibition, RBSA Gallery (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), St. Pauls Square, Birmingham
· 2004 FOLLOW - multimedia exhibition, RBSA Gallery (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), St. Pauls Square, Birmingham
Live/Performance
· 2004 'Follow' - short dance film synthesis of Music, Dance and Architecture, Screened on BBC Big Screen, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham City Centre
· 2003 'Surge'- live performance and multimedia projections, Collide Commission - venue Living Room Bar, Birmingham
Public commissions
· 2005 'Under The Sun' - 'Gateway' Sculpture for city main vehicular route to city, Birmingham City Council Commission, Handsworth, Birmingham
· 2002 'Urban Tapestry'- Crowd control Barriers Commission, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City Centre Multicultural festivals
· 2002 'Seams of Time' - Sculpture Trail for Highley Village, Bridgnorth District Council and Highley Initiative Trust, Highley Village, Nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire

Other film and multimedia events at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

Museum Movies competition

Create a short film inspired by the Art Gallery & Museum’s collections, the Royal Pump Rooms building or Leamington Spa. The five most inspiring entries we receive will be shown on our mezzanine level film screen in the local history gallery throughout the summer. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite film and the winner will receive the Best Film Award and £150 prize money.

It is free to enter and the competition is open to all ages and abilities. Films should be submitted in DVD format with a completed submission form by Wednesday 14 July 2010. There is no minimum length but the films cannot be longer than 10 minutes. Please contact Tammy Woodrow on 01926 742700 or email tammy.woodrow@warwickdc.gov.uk for a submission form or any other queries.

A futuristic vision of the Hindu Gods

Our new exhibition, Ananta: Digital Art by Sumit Sarkar, continues until 20 June. This touring exhibition from Lanternhouse International uses state of the art digital technology to bring together the artist’s deep personal knowledge of Hindu theology, reinterpreting it for the modern age. Come and see fascinating sculptures and animations inspired by sources as diverse as ancient Hindu imagery, Manga cartoons and transforming robots.

Animation workshop for adults
Saturday 12 June, 10.30am – 4.30pm
If you enjoy watching digital animations and always wonder how it’s done don’t miss this workshop. Sumit Sarkar, creator of the Ananta exhibition will demonstrate the processes involved in digital animation and will help you to create your own animated character. £10 per person. Advance booking is essential as places are limited. Please call 01926 742700 to book.

Hope to see you on a Thursday Flickers night!
Tammy