1973 in full technicolor!

 
Images of the exhibition 1973 at The Galley. Carlisle




Photo's courtesy of Max Fox

Kit

What Another Exhibition????

October appears to be a productive month for members of the Black Swan Collective from aborted trips to Romania to new ones in London, lessons in wooden bike making, shows in Carlisle, Caubon and Falkirk running at the same time, what's next!? 



Lingua Franca - 23/10/2012 - 3/11/2012


Angel Headed Hipsters 2012 (2012)
Craig Allan




Our Heads Are Round So Thoughts Can Change Direction 2012 (2012)
Craig Allan



Advert (2012)
Kit Mead


Working Man Series???? (2012)
Michael Davis


The Past Is Another Country (2011)
Sam Smith


There Are Only Points Of View 2012 (2012)
Craig Allan

Sam - I know we doubts about including The Past Is Another Country in this show but I am glad we have because I think the shop aesthetic and non white walls really add to work, it looks much better in this show than it did in Paradies.

Craig

Tomorrow Comes A Day Too Soon

Photos from my show that opened on Saturday, my first proper show in France & the first exhibition at Gallerie Padi


The Sum of Recent Glories
Chipboard, Plywood, MDF, Steel Acros, 2012



Bread & Circuses pts 1-3
Concrete, Steel, Plywood, Melamine, Wooden Pallet, Halogen Worklight, 2012



Here/Now
Burnt Wood, Digital Print, 2012


Here/Now (Detail, Digital Print) 
Photo Courtesy Craig Allan



This Used To Be The Future II
Electro-Luminescent Wire, 2012



Of All We May Yet Be
Welded Steel Rebar, 2012


This is a text that Jen Martin wrote for the catalogue,


Modern life consists of many disposable facets, from everyday
expendable products in unnecessary packaging to the high rises of the 50's and 60's which are being torn down in order to make way for new developments. With the introduction of cheaper, mass produced
materials, construction has become impermanent with many buildings existing only for a fleeting period of time, and those which remain clearly show the evidence of their decay. However, away from the beaten track it is possible to view the remnants of constructions from a time when this was not the case. The work presented in ‘Tomorrow Comes A Day Too Soon’ derives from time spent travelling around Italy and viewing the substantial remains of forgotten settlements and architectural classics. The skill used in the craftsmanship of these structures, in conjunction with the enduring nature of the materials used, is testament to their permanence, far outlasting both their own era and the decaying remains of more modern developments
surrounding them.

‘Tomorrow Comes A Day Too Soon’ seeks to create a facade emulating the grand imagery and craftsmanship displayed in these ancient constructions using modern, temporary materials to reference classic structures such as arches, columns and busts. Don't be fooled by the cheap, readily available substances used, every piece of work displayed here has been crafted with very careful attention to detail and finished to a high quality. Juxtaposing the classic imagery with the disposable material creates a delicate dialogue and highlights the glaring
differences in construction across the ages.

Tex wrote me an essay too but I'll put that up another time as it's quite long.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who helped out,

Sam x



Susie Wilsdon

I know some of you didn't know Susie but she was one of us, an artist and a friend. She took her own life two years ago. I think that many of you who didn't know her personally can still identify with this.

Adam Fine who has has been involved with many of our previous (and hopefully future) endeavours is taking part in a sponsored walk next month to raise money for a suicide prevention & support charity. I'll let him explain in a far more meaningful way,

"In the past four years I have lost three people in my life to suicide. They did not know each other, and there was no common connection. Suicide is elusive, unexpected, and a terrible weight not only on those who fall victim but on those who experience its aftermath.

I began walking last year in honor of my dear friend, Susie, who passed away almost exactly a year before in 2010. Susie was one of the first people I met while pursuing my degree abroad in 2004, and we became friends soon thereafter. Her laughter was infectious; her sense of humor and her charm were incredible, even enviable. Susie was radiant from her core. I am lucky, but not alone, in having experienced her kindness. Her artwork was entirely engaging, though she never would have admitted to it. Her favorite music--Leonard Cohen, Dolly Parton, Ian Dury, to name a few--was eclectic enough to be appropriate for most situations. When teaching English abroad, the photos of her with her students showed smiles all around. Susie saw me through some terribly difficult times in my life, and not a day goes by that I don't think of her, love her, or miss her. So I walk for Susie, because our friends, her family, her students and I understand the honor of having known her, and because the goodness and grace she brought to this world mustn't be finite.

But I also walk for myself. As long as I can remember, I've also lived under this shadow, this threat. While I don't feel it every day, it looms all the same, making itself known in times of joy and sorrow alike. It's an unfortunate companion that I now realize cannot be ignored. But so long as I walk, I can keep moving toward a future--unknowable, indefinite, but hopeful still.

And I walk so others might keep walking.



I've set my goal to what it was last year, $350, which by the kindness, understanding and generosity of those who supported me in 2011 far exceeded that. I do hope to exceed it again.

This is a very worthy cause. Thank you to those who supported me last year, and thank you for reading my message."


This is his fundraising page


I was going to say sorry for the serious post but I'm not. Life isn't all fun and games unfortunately and I think it's important to share what Adam's doing.

Sam x

Fuck you and your art markets

http://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/378477323.htm?ca=2_s

Craig
What all that welding and spark flying was for. . . .






Craig Allan
A triumph of optimism over ability 2012 (2012)
Wood/Metal/Rubber Tubing
Dimensions Variable

 . . . .  well worth a visit to France.

Craig

Contact (Sheet)

 IS IT
 TOO LATE
 TO SAY
I'M SORRY?

m

A Wee Sneaky Peek

A little taster of the stuff I've been making this week (in between helping Craig with his bike) 10 days until opening night....



(photos courtesy Craig Allan)

Sam x

The Re-Invention Of The Bicycle.

A few photos from my recent tenure at Sam's gaff in France where with Sam's tools and help we ventured into designing a cheap and made not to last bicycle from left over building materials.
................more to follow.