Islington Mill Studios

Congratulations to all the nominees for this years Best of Manchester Awards. It was really heartening for us to see recognition given to so many that have been associated with the Mill over the past few years, from Rachel Goodyear who was involved in the early days of the Mill with events such as Chapel Street Open and Sho 1, to Jayne Compton who resurrected her performance party Club Brenda and worked with fellow Mill residents The Ting Tings whilst based here as well Contents May Vary and Owl Project who are also previous studio members.

There was also a special commendation for Morry Carlin for his role in setting up both Sounds from the Other City and Islington Mill Art Academy and the icing on the cake with SFTOC programming the music for this years awards ceremony.

Good work and well done one and all

In the second of Islington Mill's Aritists' Meals Kwong Lee from Castlefield Gallery prepared Imax experience of the three course meal, yes that's right real food in 3D!

Ok so food is 3D already, but not like this, red and green spectacles to approach red and green food that is reaching out the plate and into your unsuspecting face served by red and green clad waiters.  Well sounds a little stomach churning to be frank, but thankfully the Pea soup, Lamb curry with greeny veg followed by elderflower sorbet with strawberries went down a treat.

 So a good laugh was had by all, I'm wondering what the sequel will be like.

12th June

6pm

Free

London based artist Pippa Koszerek will be presenting an artist talk. Pippa has recently undertaken a residency with Islington Mill art academy. The talk will held in the 'club space' and starts at 6pm it's free and open to all, so please come along.

Prior to Pippa Koszerek artist talk the Art academy welcomes you to their 3rd 'open critique'. The critique begins at 2pm in the art academy member's studio (1st floor, within the communal space). The members will be presenting their recent work, findings and research. The 'open critique' is open to anyone who wishes to come along  and members appreciate all input that is given - so don't bite your tongues! Hope to see you all there. 

Premier of Art Yarn’s Knitting Orchestra

Contact

1st June

ArtYarn is a collaborative fibre arts project coordinated by visual artists Rachael Elwell and Sarah Hardacre. ArtYarn aim to use traditional knitting and crochet techniques in contemporary visual arts projects

Recently ArtYarn have been working on the second half of their residency at Manchester’s Contact Theatre, where they will be premiering their new project The Knitting Orchestra on Monday the 1st June at 7:30pm.

There are several other Art Yarn projects on the go

Yarn Forward at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, a world wide community knitting and crochet project. - more info can be found here http://artyarn-yarnforward.blogspot.com/ .

Knitted Nature at Touchstones Rpchdale Art Gallery, an indoor and outdoor installation of contemporary knitting and crochet
http://artyarn-knittednature.blogspot.com/

And look out for ArtYarn at Feast! On June 7th at Platt Fields Park

Sunday 7th June 2009  - selling event as part of the Holmsfirth Arts Festival

                                    The 3rd Art Market, Holmfirth

                                    www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk

30th June - 29th August 2009 - part of the 'Made in Manchester ' exhibition at The Royal Exchange Craft Shop, Manchester.  I will be showing my penguin series and my limited edition 'Made in Manchester' porcelain humidifiers.

20th July - 11th September 2009 - 'Culture Shock' exhibition at RBSA, Birmingham.  It will be an exhibition showcasing designers who have relocated from across the globe or who are inspired by their extensive travel experiences or migration.  Responding to different cultural experiences, ‘Culture Shock’ will explore the impact this has had on craft practices within the UK and by showing contemporary fine craft, it will investigate the significant impact that cultural heritage and a fusion of traditions has had on modern British craft.

Read more about Beverley here - http://www.islingtonmill.com/d.php?r=beverleygee 

Junkshop Revolution featuring Cj O'Neil

13th June until 1st August

Bluecoat

"In recognition of Liverpool’s Year of the Environment 2009, we are curating an exhibition that will present work by designers who have found new use for everyday objects and reclaimed materials, creating products which challenge our ideas about recycling and enhance the environment through good design."

"Inspired by memories, ceramics, discarded objects and graphics, Cj O'Neil uses silhouettes as a way to simplify what she sees, and convert ideas, thoughts and drawings to surface decoration.  She takes vintage pieces, generally from charity shops or closed down factories, and re interprets their use.  Cutting sections, patterns and words from plates I place them back within the decorative arena once more.  I hope to embed within these pieces a new story, another lifetime, to provoke conversation and inspire new ways of seeing objects."

Cj's work is currently in the prestigious 'Object Factory: The Art of Industrial Ceramics' at the new MAD Museum, NYC and also in the Kuwait Art Foundation, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai (and touring UAE)

The Islington Mill Reference Library is an arts resource comprised of Artists monographs, exhibition catalogues and survey publications as well as cultural theory ranging from philosophy to art. One of the long-term goals of the library is to develop a specialised section of publications from locally based artists.

The library is a free and publicly available resource complied on a donations basis, with over 300 publications attained from the initial call.
 
The library was launched in mid march and will be officially open to use by appointment from then onwards. The library is  open for browsing and is also actively seeking firther donations

For more info:
islington Mill Reference Library

Check out latest episode of BBC's Inside Out, which has a feature on the subterranean spaces of Manchester, which are focal point of the current Urbis exhibition by photographer Andrew Brooks. The feature shows off some amazing, long forgotten places under Manchester and also shows Andrew at work. You can see it again on iPlayer and also enjoy presenter Janet Sumner looking like she is about to break out into an episode of Brass Eye.

This week we also came across a funny ravey remix of the Ting Tings. You can check it out here on this Edinburgh based blogsite called Noiseporn, where there are loads of other remixes,videos and oddities on there that are well worth checking.

Happy New Year, January is usually a pretty quiet month round here but this year its just not the case. Paramatta, the building that has been a building site for pretty much ever has finally been built and even has an inside. with stuff in it. its turned out to be a pretty amazing space so we're all looking forward to what might happen in there and what it might lead to.More news will be on on the website when we have it.

In the club space we have an unusually healthy month of stuff happening from yoga to life drawing classes - all totally liver damage safe.

We also have a couple of studio spaces becoming available this month, which hasn't happened for ages so it will be great to see some new people and new ideas coming into the building.

Down the road at our shop 'From Space' we had an amazing run up to Christmas and will be getting new stock in over the next few weeks as well as working up some more unusual occasions. 

Goodspeed, enjoy 2009.

This Thursday, 27th November, sees the launch of 'FROM SPACE', A new temporary art and fashion store selling one off pieces made at Islington Mill and further afield. Products on sale including fashion, accessories, clothing and t-shirts, large scale photographs, handmade clothes, ceramics, fine art prints, hand-crafted furniture and loads more.

The opening event is from 3pm-7pm where you can get a first chance to buy all the wares. Moocow Coofee will also be there to furnish everyone with coffees, hot mulled wines and ciders. The event is followed by 'Xmas at the Mill' which sees loads more seasonal treats over two floors, music by members of the BBC Philharmonic and more food and drinks.

The whole Casket Works building will open simultaneously on

Friday 31st October [2pm - 8pm]

Saturday 1st November [11am - 4pm]

and Sunday 2nd November [11am - 4pm]

This year the event brings together Hot Bed Press, Suite Studios and Cow Lane Studios, as well as linking to The Kings Arms and here to the Mill.

Come and see new works by over 100 artists working under one roof...

Theweekend also features PASTURES NEW, a special exhibition by MASA artists 

Hot Bed Press will be running free printmaking demonstrations throughout the weekend, and Cow Lane Studios will also putting on a free accoustic sound set.

More info available here 

Islington Mill Art Academy are taking part in a show called Moot Points taking place at Transmission Gallery in Glasgow throughout November. They will be there from Monday 3rd till Sat 8th November and will be organising a range of events during this time. For anyone who will be in Glasgow during that time you are more than welcome to come along:

The timetable of events includes Reading Capital, Drawing Club, A Joyride in a Paintbox, Strawberry Switchblade, Band by Night, Experimental Writing Workshop as well as numerous continous projects durin the week.

The full program of events is available on the Art Academy Blogspot

To get in touch;

Email: artacademy@islingtonmill.com Tel: 07917714369 | 07876617711

RETROSPECTIVE by NEIL ROBBINS at the Chapman Gallery , Salford University runs from Monday 27th October to Friday 14th November  10 am till 4 pm

This exhibition showcases works created over the last decade by manchester basesd artist Neil Robbins. The show comprises of drawings , paintings and photography. Neils work is concerned with extremes, order and harmony versus chaos and discord microscopic         versus gigantic and individuality versus homogeneity.

Preview opening evening Tuesday 28th October - 6pm till 8pm

Blogspot

Flickr 

Youtube

                     

DIRT AND DREAMS is an enchanting and expansive site specific performance created and perfromed by Mill Residents Pif Paf Arts on the 27th and 28th of September, 2-4.30pm only in Clifton Country Park, Clifton House Road, Salford, M27 6NG. A must see event in a major heritage site.

For 80 years Wet Earth Colliery has lain dormant, for two days only the work, lives and legends of 180 years of Dirt and Dreams come tumbling back up its shafts and tunnels.

Come on an unforgettable walk along woodland paths guided by sound, fire, giant-sculpture and performance amongst the sleeping giants of the industrial revolution.
Suitable for all ages (dress for the great outdoors). Tickets are free, parking is free, suitable for buggies and wheelchairs with assistance and hot refreshments available to buy.

For more details contact Pif-Paf or visit www.visitsalford.info or call 0161 793 4219

New music industry event

Salford, Greater Manchester

A new music industry event featuring Huw Stephens (Radio 1), Andrew Dubber (New Music Strategies), Dave Cooper (In House Press and Melodic),Mike McNally (McNally Consulting) and over thirty of the most cutting edge innovators and opinion leaders of the current scene, accompanied by evening performances from Graeme Massey, This Years Model, Cats in Paris and many more, will take place this October in Salford.

The event, under the banner of ‘Un-convention’ is specifically aimed at the grass roots of the music industry, and aims to stimulate debate and ideas around how those at the cutting edge of new music can adapt and prosper.

To that end, Un-convention has gathered together some of the countries most innovative and influential players to get a handle on where the industry is today, and where it will be tomorrow.

Un-convention is for DIY and small independent labels, self-releasing artists, promoters and venues, record stores, distributors, journalists & PR, and anyone else with an interest in the future of the music industry.

The two days of discussion will be interspersed with acoustic sets from some of the most exciting new acts around, curated by Red Deer Club.

The evenings will see full band sets from the likes of Graham Massey’s Toolshed, the hotly tipped This Years Model, the impeccable Cats in Paris , and Mancunian favourites the Ironweed Project, with many more still to be announced.

Un-convention will take place at the Sacred Trinity Church , Chapel Street, Salford ,  M3 5DW ,  England.

For full details of this years line up, and ticket information visit the Un-convention blog at: www.unconvention.wordpress.com

Lee Machell

During Artranspennine 08, Lee Machell will investigate the potential for changing the architectural nature of space both physically and psychologically. This will be achieved through the process of performative drawing. Whilst focussing on the physicality of this process, he will at the same time be challenging the traditional methods of drawing.

The ignition of a line of sulphur to dissect through space will be this process. Black lines will suture across walls and give poetic reverence to a redundant and forgotten space, creating within the structure a drawing of temporal duration.

The location is the disused HGV garage situated on Hulme St, Salford, M5 4PF. Access is through two large red sliding doors.

The duration of the drawing will span from the 23rd of July to 31st of July.

You are welcome to join the artist during the last performance on Thursday the 31st at 5pm.

This will complete the drawing.

leemachell@hotmail.co.uk

www.leemachell.co.uk 

Bureau Gallery  6.7.2008 - 18.7.2008

SWAP/VAIHTO is a project that involves art professionals from UK and Finland and creates a unique opportunity for artists from different parts of the world to actively exchange their views and ideas around current issues of cultural identity and migratory art practice.

The artists have been invited to respond to current issues of globalization and establish prior the exhibition a dialogue within the frame of cultural diversity.

For the exhibition the artists will present new works based on their discussion. Finnish artists taking part are

Egle Oddo, Marko Timlin

Barbro Björkfelt, Hannu Häkkinen

Jonne Pitkänen, Jaana Kokko

Hannu Karjalainen, Eeva-Mari Haikala and Juhana Moisander.

Islington Mill Art Academy are setting up a temporary free art school in Berlin later this month from 27th May till 8th June. We will be working from an art and music space in Kreuzberg called Westgermany (133 Skalitzer Str).

We are inviting Berliners to join us in a number of activities that we will be organising during our time there. If you know of anyone who may be interested in the project and in Berlin during this time, forward the details on to them and ask them to get in touch on artacademy@islingtonmill.com.

Photographer and Islington Mill tenant, Andrew Brooks has just completed work on his brand new website, a collaborative effort with fellow Mill Tenants Raw Design Studio. You can check out the results and pretty much all of Andrew's recent work on www.andrewbrooksphotography.com

Andrew has also been working with University of Salford over the past 6 to create a new collection of representative photography for the University.

A selection of this work together with a selection from the University archive will be on show at a new exhibiton at Salford Museum & Art Gallery at the end of the month. For more info on this check the new website!

You Fancy Animal

Running until Friday18th 

An exhibition of young Manchester based artists featuring work from Fiona Campbell, Niki Hearns, Andi Doyle, Zena May Hendrick, John Midgeley, Sam Rees, Marina Rees, jodie Silverman and Laura Simms

You Fancy Animal showcases the artists’ use of a low tech and often handmade approach. In this they are moving against a lot of current trends in a contemporary art scene that seems to celebrate both the high tech and the purely conceptual.

 
MASS 

Running until Thursday 17th

Introducing eleven photographic artists showcasing their collections of work centred around the philosophy of social interaction, offering sensitive and inquisitive visual documents of the modern make-up of Britain.

In association with Manchester Metropolitan University, this is a unique opportunity to experience the future of contemporary photography.

Pif-Paf have started production at the Mill of HONEY, a new show presented in their own touring theatre tent. Having recently secured Arts Council funding and a vote of confidence in our hands on style of performance, presenting issues that affect us all with beauty and clarity

HONEY is a groundbreaking show, fusing Pif Paf's trademark of integrated performance, sculpture and music with up-to-the-minute natural history content – without compromising either. The show explores the connection between mankind and our oldest companion, the honey bee, and imagine a world where they are conspicuous by their absence.

The show has already secured a tour for the show with more dates to be added, check the Pif- Paf website or the Mill Directory for up to date details

See you in the HIVE!

Mill residents Beverley Gee and Carrie Ann Black will be exhibiting at The British Craft Trade Fair from 6th to 8th April at the The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

Bev will be showing a new line of porcelain boxes that contain a series of glazed objects and will be proping up stand number 51. You can see more work by going to the Mill directory.

So if you are around Harrogate next month get yourself down.

More info on ww.bctf.co.uk

Sounds from the Other City returns this year for its fourth outing along the Chapel Street badlands. May the 4th is the date and tickets are now on sale at Quaytickets and Piccadilly Records - now we say this every year but no harm in saying it again - tickets usually sell out well in advance so bag them up now.

For more info on what's already been planned for this year check out the SFTOC page on the Mill Directory.

The good folks bringing the noise to your ears this year are going to be:

Lamb & Wolf, Comfortable on a Tightrope, Bring on the Dancin Horses, Golden Lab, Red Deer Club, Hey! Manchester & Club Brenda

Keep checking back here and on the Myspace for more details 

This February sees Taurus in Manchester’s infamous gay village host an exhibition of pure decadence.

Gemma Parker, Manchester’s first and only retro pin up and burlesque artist has created a series of paintings featuring a selection of ladies derrières all themed around sweeties and chocolates.

In France the phrase ‘bon bons’ is a slang term for anywhere below the waist. Here we see Parker using that term to its fullest and most fun. Each peachy behind is enhanced with ice cream colours and sugary titles. With the collection ranging from jellybeans to strawberry fondant there should be a flavour to tempt anyone’s taste buds.

‘Bon Bons’ runs from the 1st – 29th February.

Taurus, 1 Canal St, Manchester, M1 3HE, 0161 236 4593.

You can also get details on Gemma's page on the Mill Directory or contact Gemma at www.gemmaparker.co.uk

The Ting Tings release there first single since signing to Columbia on March 3rd.  Great DJ is available to download for a limited time and there will be a 1500 7" vinyl for release.

As part of the single release the band are gathering up old 7" singles, which are going to be reversed and used as the new covers for the single.

Some of these have already been done and you will be be able to buy these on any of their upcoming NME tour dates and the remainder in selected stores. In order to get a copy you need to bring along an old 7" to swap at the gigs. If you can't make it to any of the gigs but want to get involved by recycling an old gem anyway, drop an email to artsclub@islingtonmill.com

The band also have loads of stuff coming up including live sessions on Radio 1 with Jo Whiley and Zane Lowe - more info on www.myspace.com/thetingtings

Quarantine is looking for performers for its next theatre piece, Old people, children and animals.  The performance will be created with and performed by old people (over 65) who dance or who used to dance and young people (under 18) who make music.

We are not looking for actors. The performance will be made using the personal experiences and histories of those taking part.

If you’re over 65 years old with dance skills, or under 18 and in a band, available from 21 April – 22 June 2008 and would like to take part in Quarantine’s next show please check out our website for more information.

 www.qtine.com/current

www.myspace.com/qtine

Islington Mill Art Academy, an independent, DIY art school based here at Islington Mill is holding an open day for new members this Monday 14th January, 11 am till 6pm.

The group, which has been in existence since May 2007 and now works three days per week at the Mill was formed with the intention of developing self-directed education that can exist outside of the traditional institutions of learning.

It organises talks, research trips and has an active residency program working with international artists and musicians. Current residents are Anni Rossi and Rollin Hunt from Chicago who will be working with the Academy till the end of January.

Come along on Monday (at any time between 11 and 6) to have a look around, a chat and a cup of tea with members of the group. Alternatively, if you cannot make it on Monday and would like to arrange another time to visit or would just like some more information, please email: artacademy@islingtonmill.com

For access please call the number on the main door

www.islingtonmill.com/artacademy

Happy New Year - here's to 2008 being a powerful year. January is going be pretty quiet here at the Mill but don't worry there's plenty of beavering going on behind the scenes and some really exciting events lining up in the near and far horizons. Keep an eye on our events page for all that and more.... 

"The earliest version of this familiar saying was attributed to the English King James I, who wrote in 1616, 'No newis is bettir than evill newis.' Virtually the modern saying appeared some years later in James Howell's 'Familiar Letters' (c. 1645) with the line, 'I am of the Italians mind that said.no news, good news'." From "Wise Words and Wives' Tales: The Origins, Meanings and Time-Honored Wisdom of Proverbs and Folk Sayings Olde and New" by Stuart Flexner and Doris Flexner (Avon Books, New York, 1993). Page 135.

I'm sure you've heard of the king's joker, or merry-man, who loved to make puns, so much so that the king, in disgust, ordered him hanged. But the king's vizier prevailed on him to grant the joker a reprieve. Upon learning it, the joker immediately said, "Well, no noose is good noose."

So the king decided to hang him anyway.

Welcome to Sallywood Babylon.

Still reeling from a whirlwind tour of Berlin and New York, and a no-holds-barred A&R scrum, The Ting Tings have agreed to headline. And not just any old headline set the band will be playing a never before heard acoustic set

Meanwhile, expansive post-rockers The Detour provide live guitar soundscapes for a selection of vintage Salford films and between bands there'll be a bumper selection of shorts from the city and beyond. On the decks 'til 2am filmmaker Steve Manford steps out from behind the lens to get all the gaffers, sparks and first ADs bumping and grinding on the dance floor.

A chance to scope for collaborators, check out the competition, get drunk and make a fool of yourself in front of your peers, or simply watch some great bands and films and celebrate the end of the Salford Film Festival in style.

Can you really afford to miss that? Didn't think so.

See you next year.

Christmas at the Mill - Thursday November 22nd - 6 - 9pm......Islington Mill Studios are holding their festive fair again this year, just in time for Christmas. Meet the resident artists, enjoy some mulled wine and choose from a wealth of unique wares, handmade by some of the North West’s finest practitioners. Many of the products on sale will be one-off or limited edition pieces that will only be available on the night.

More details on the events page

Hot Bed Press & the Casket Works

present

The Casket Works Open Weekend

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th November

11am - 5pm

Featuring contemporary artwork by printmakers, painters, sculptors  and much more.

For more details see www.hotbedpress.org

Welcome to the new Islington Mill website, by now hopefully you've had a litttle look around.

The site has been designed by Raw Design Studios who are based here at the Mill, you can check out their page, and that of all the other residents, on the Mill Directory page.

We've also introduced an Events page to keep you up to date with everything that's going on in and around the Mill.

If you want to keep up to date with what we are up to you can sign up to our Newsletter on the Newsletter page. If you are interested in renting a space you can find out more info and sign up to our waiting list on the Studios page.

This Friday, December 19th from 5.30pm, the Mill hosts it's annual Xmas party at it's new shop 'FROM SPACE'. As well as the usual festive food and drinks there'll be choir singing, 'elvis in disguise', maybe even more Elvis and the chance to bag up some straight down the line fantastic gifts.

The shop, located at 142 Chapel Street and just a stones throw from The Lowry Hotel, Spinningfields and The Kings Arms, is the only place where you can find the most up to date work from the artists and makers from Islington Mill.

Have a look around the site to see the type of things that people get up to or visit the shop page for more info or directions