Month: February 2018

Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – FEBRUARY

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – FEBRUARY

Welcome to February 2018 culture review. I am sure you are busy dealing with the “beast from the East” as we all do, very distracted myself with the snow,making snowman’s, but duty calls.

I would like to say that culture journeys in February has been out of old habit, but that has changed since last month. Although being really sentimental about last years weekly reviews and stories, this month I have really realised how much time for “actual” work I have. There is no doubt that finding cultural things is a bit of a challenge in the quite months of the year, knowing that Hull City Of Culture 2017  is gone on a “break”.

I have been lucky to have Ferens Open Exhibition 2018 at Ferens Art Gallery, Artist Take Over at Queens House Showcase, Hounds Of Hull opening at KAG,  and random protest regards regime in Middle East, plus some precious early morning Hull moments.

Let’s start off with the two most random things of this month:

First – one area of Hull’s city centre has been adjusted – famous for having homeless people gathering and sleeping, being a bit naughty. Area has been transformed into a colourful message, development opportunity advert. And then the disco-granny-electric piano-madness guy is there playing his tunes. Only in Hull?

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During that week I went to the first Artist Take Over at Queens House Showcase where artist Lauren Saunders thought the ways of knowing – or making art followed by you feelings.. (?) Her primary tool is drawing, but the exploration extends to psychologies of perception.

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Artist Take Over at Queens House Showcase is a collective exhibition of four local artists with various styles, techniques and dimensions.
The best part of the exhibition is that most of the days artists themselves are live-creating their art, having the space for their own development and are up for a cup of tea and a chat.

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Clarissa Dixon is another artist present at the Queens House Showcase. She is experimental with materials and processes. From what I had a chance to see so far – her table is a beautiful mess with textures, colours and heavy patterns.

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Annemarie Tickle was running a The Shibori workshop and I went to take some snaps of that too. I am far from understanding what that means, but it was all about fabric, dye and textures.

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Queens House Showcase is run by Creative ENRG. Just to say that Creative ENRG is giving a massive platform for artists to work and develop their skill, confidence and network with other artists, members of public.

They have helped me in my “setting-up” business journey, but I have made a lot of business friends, artists and clients through being part of the hub. That’s if you ever question how important networking is….

Just to shift few steps down from art art, I had a morning with crisp air and early sunlight in Marina and Fruit Market. It is rare opportunity to have time that early to photograph Hull and I really want to share few beautiful captures – just to celebrate ever so beautiful Hull landmarks.

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These new arrivals on Fruit Market walls was the cherry topping to my morning wonders.

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Back to art art and  Ferens Open Exhibition 2018 at Ferens Art Gallery. This year for the second year running I got a photograph in, so I was determined to have the full experience of the opening night. First thing – the welcome speech, announcements and prize give away. I did  not know that such thing happens on the opening night and it was great to be part of that.

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There was an interesting fact I found out during the speech is that Ferens Art Gallery one of the few galleries left in the UK to have free entry at all times. And I mean a gallery that hosts “proper” high end art, such as Mueck [recent experiences], Freud and other special and valuable collections. Turner Prize is a good indicator of the importance of the Ferens Art Gallery.

During the opening night I had a quick run through the galleries, spotted a few favourites, mingled with old tutors and looked at my photograph and frame all together[disappointment].

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That same nigh I made it to the Hounds Of Hull opening at KAG. Missed the dogs, but had a great opportunity tho see the art work, meet the artist behind it Verity Adriana, have a chat with artist/tutor Jane Jones and my fave Anna Bean/ Bluebeany.
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+see the rest of the KAG for the last time [due to closure of half of the space]
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At some point another random thing happened – I went from A to B and spotted some action going on in Queen Victoria Square. From the distance it looked like people are waving Stalin’s flag, but when approached the crowd, it turned out to be a protest for regime in the Middle East. It was about demanding freedom to Abdullah Ocalan and other political prisoners in Turkey.

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Last week I went back to  Artist Take Over at Queens House Showcase to take some promotional shots of Annemarie Tickle and work she is developing. She stunned me with bold and brave colours and a lovely chat. Strongly suggest to visit Queens House Showcase website for opening times and artist present, because it is worth your while.

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Last but not least – had a second visit to Ferens Open Exhibition 2018 to have a good look at the selection of artworks this year. There was some definite favourites, good and interesting concepts, but there was an equal amount of “rubish”. As for usual.

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As I mentioned previously, work I submitted was a risk. The photograph in combination of the frame was a big risk. It is not bad, but it did not met the expectations I had for myself, so I am a bit disappointed. But risks have to be taken and learn from the experience if it doesn’t work out. Boom.

This month I was a bit pushed for time, so two things on my list are not here:

 

 

I have to start thinking about what March will bring to my culture experiences, already planning in progress.

Excited to be working on a project that I will be shouting about in the near future, excited to be taking photographs for Heads Up Festival for the next two weeks and work with Drunk Animal with their projects and clients. And everything in between. Exciting! That’s all I am gonna say.

Have a great March, get some culture in your system and drive carefully through the 15 cm of snow [eeekkk!!]

Love
Anete Sooda

Hull City Of Culture 2017

MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – JANUARY

by anetesoodaLeave a Comment on MY CITY OF CULTURE – MY HULL – JANUARY

HELLO AND WELCOME BACK TO MY CULTURE VENTURES IN 2018

 

The year of Hull City Of Culture 2017 finished on a high note for me. I really lived up to my challenge, being part of the story all year, week by week [except tiny two weeks] and I had the most wonderful time. It was the big celebration for me.

At the beginning of the month I was very lost – for the first time in a year I was not obligated to follow culture and it was weir. On the other hand – it was a relief – no Sunday/Monday panic about writing a blog post and wondering if I have done enough, if I’ve done well.

Throughout the year I knew I need to continue the work for me and for the promised legacy, for Hull. Out of habit on the first week I already found myself in culture indulgence.
And it felt good.

First, I managed to catch the robots part of Where Do We Go From Here.
I had to take my family to see the magnificent robots and have the last look.

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I was still seeking for the connection with culture, Hull and the question it raises. Technically brilliant pieces of machinery, creating a cosmic atmosphere and making the dark hours of Hull light up. But I am asking a question – could artist applied any other question to the artwork, linked with anything else? I am sure that is a possibility and Hull is just another translation to the existence of robots.

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Never the less – Hull still embraced the installation, as we do with everything.

Hull embraced a lot of things in 2017, we have changed our mindset regards culture and art, we are more educated and don’t mind abstract elements scattered around the city. Like the Solar Gate in Queens Gardens. Why not?
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Mid month I was SUPER excited for the new arrivals at Humber Street Gallery.
Just to note how wonderful it is to have a gallery of this kind, Humber Street Gallery has been the key venue for so many great exhibitions and they need a shout out!!!!!
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The exhibitions, all there are about everything celebrating Hull City Of Culture 2017 Volunteers. Work created purely to say thank you for your hard work, purely to celebrate each individual for making the year possible.
Gallery 1
BIG PICTURE: WITH LEO FRANCIS IN ASSOCIATION WITH CHRIS FENTON

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Photographer Lee Francis has very specific style and it is reflected in the works. They are bright and unmistakably unique.
I was so professionally jealous, because that would be every professionals dream to work on a project like this. In fact, this type of photographs should be the only reason why this medium exist – celebrate people and life in a beautiful way, that is missed by a naked eye.

The collage with volunteers and their belongings, their lives is equally fantastic.
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The team behind the project and Hull City Of Culture 2017 put a lot of thought, love and effort into creating this and wanted to know more about volunteers.
When asked to the volunteers present at the exhibition, the same feelings are expressed.

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And we ourselves enjoyed the little insight into this project

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Gallery 2

GRAINS OF SCANDALOUS BLUE: JULIA VOGL

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Another mind tickling satisfaction of culture experience. First impressions are very good, the space is transformed into a full on colour experience, surrounding visitors with bold colours, numbers and takes you on a journey.
When I got over the wow factor, I made my way through the facts and facts about volunteers worked out in percentage.
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We also played a game of calculating the percentages of what volunteers have as their occupation:
88% are either in full time education, employed or retired and the rest – unicorn keepers. That’s mine and Oliver’s conclusion.
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The whole experience is extended with an opportunity to try on volunteers kit and having your photo taken[optional?]
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And then – my favourite part – have a gab with volunteers and take a lovely photo of them.

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Gallery 3

GRAINS OF SCANDALOUS BLUE: JULIA VOGL

The jar and grain experience

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Again – very impressive first impressions. The colours, light, placement of the jars and factual info on the walls. Fantastic.

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Visually impressive, sense of individuality despite the fact it’s meant to look “uniform” like. I assume the jars where chosen by volunteers themselves and again, its like a little insight of their lives.
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However the lazy art and culture consumer in me thinks its too much information to take in before you understand the idea. If your brain is not gifted with maths [like mine], I struggled to understand the patterns and reasons for each of the jar being filled. ahh. Could this be taken out of Hull City Of Culture 2017 content and displayed elsewhere? Would this be just one for the Hull?

World should know more about our experience this year and BIG PICTURE AND GRAINS OF SCANDALOUS BLUE PART 1 is definitely there to show off to the next CITY OF CULTURE and other cities in the UK.

Overall rating 9/10 from me. The visit made my week and I was left very happy and satisfied.

BANKSY IN HULL

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26th of January will be marked as the day when world famous Banksy left his mark in Hull.

Woken up by the BBC News on Friday morning and hearing Hull’s name being called out for positive reason was just the perfect breakfast for my mind.

On Saturday I made my way to see it for myself. Of course I was not the only one there seeing the rustic bridge marked with someone famous and controversial as Banksy only for that reason. It became a trend, a hot spot.
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And then to hear the news on Monday about someone going totally bonkers and ruining the graffiti and then be saved by very own Hull’s windows cleaner becoming a hero… The drama and the reason to talk was there and as they say… every publicity is good.

So yes. Here is my first month of 2018, my first report on culture in 2018.
I could have done more, but I am busy working on something amazing. Hopefully I will have more content this month.

Are you feeling the Legacy of City of Culture in 2018? What are your expectations?