Ikon News

Free Exhibition Tours

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:03:02 GMT

Exhibition Tour (in English and BSL)

Join us tomorrow from 6-7.30pm for a special tour of the current exhibitions.

Led by a member of the Learning Team and open to all, this tour will illuminate the João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva and Clare Rojas exhibitions in a relaxed, informative manner. Places are free but should be reserved by calling Ikon on 0121 248 0708.

Afternoon Tea
On Thursday 11 March, 2.30-4.30pm Ikon’s Learning Team will lead a tour of the exhibitions followed by tea, cake and chat. Places are free but should be reserved by calling Ikon on 0121 248 0708.

VIDEO: Clare Rojas performance and installation

m.hogan@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Matt Hogan) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:48:38 GMT

Visit Clare Rojas' Media Gallery to watch Clare perform as Peggy Honeywell and behind the scenes footage shot during the installation of her Ikon show.

Clare Rojas worked intensively during the installation of her show. She made new paintings whilst overpainting and cutting up others to fit the architecture of the gallery. On the opening night, Clare performed songs within the alt-country idiom as her alter-ego, Peggy Honeywell to a packed gallery audience.

This film documents and captures the atmosphere of both the installation and the live performance.

New Ikon Publications and Limited Editions

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:03:37 GMT

Ikon’s new exhibitions are now open and each one is accompanied by a new book.

João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva’s exhibition On the Movement of the Fried Egg and Other Astronomical Bodies is complemented by a black and white publication of selected writings. Price £7, special exhibition price £5 (only available in person at Ikon). Buy online

For her exhibition We They, We They Clare Rojas has produced a new children’s storybook Pidgy which tells the story of a baby bird rescued by a group of children. Price £12, special exhibition price £8 (only available in person at Ikon). Buy online

Clare Rojas has also made a limited edition, a series of 30 unique small-scale paintings. Price £100, with a contribution going to support the women’s group at the Ladywood project. Buy online

New Exhibitions Opening

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:54:16 GMT

Tuesday 2 February, 6-8pm. Free

Join us for a glass of wine at the opening of two new exhibitions at Ikon on Tuesday 2 February between 6 and 8pm.

Portuguese artists João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva present a body of new 16mm films in which they conduct a curious investigation into natural phenomena. Against a background of philosophical debate, their carefully crafted works exude a playful inventiveness. More information

Clare Rojas produces colourful folk-inspired paintings which comment on gender relations and representation with characteristic humour. Patchworks of panels combine to recall a range of cultural sources from Native American craft to street graffiti. More information.

Peggy Honeywell Performs
Tuesday 2 February, 8.15pm, Free, no need to book

On the night of her exhibition opening, Clare Rojas performs songs taken from her folk albums Green Mountain, Faint Humms and Honey For Dinner released under the name of her alter-ego Peggy Honeywell.

Free Gallery Tour (in BSL & English)

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:01:39 GMT

Join us on Wednesday 13 January at 6pm for a special tour of the Matias Faldbakken exhibition. Open to all, this tour offers the chance to explore the current exhibition in a relaxed, informative manner.

Places are free but should be reserved in advance by emailing The Learning Team or calling Ikon on 0121 248 0708.

Ikon makes it into the Observer's top ten - twice!

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:02:40 GMT

National art critic Laura Cumming recently shared her top 10 art experiences of 2009 and featured Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery twice.

Ikon’s exhibition of vignettes by British wood engraver Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) was Cumming’s pick for no. 5. On display through April and May, the exhibition proved popular amongst other reviewers including Tom Lubbock (The Independent) and Adrian Searle (The Guardian). Searle described the works as captivating; ‘sometimes you smirk and laugh – then the next image has you mesmerised.’

Our exhibition of paintings by Carmen Herrera in August/September was Cumming’no. 8; she describes the work of the 94-year-old Cuban painter as ‘radiant abstractions’ and in her review in August referred to Herrera as ‘..the discovery of the year – of the decade.’

Flying the flag for galleries and museums outside the capital, Ikon was one of only two non-London venues listed, underpinning our reputation beyond Birmingham as well as within the city. Others on Cumming’s list are the National Gallery (twice), Hayward Gallery (twice), Royal Academy, British Museum, Tate Modern, Fruitmarket Edinburgh and Camden Arts Centre.

Laura Cumming’s top ten list can be seen here

Christmas Gift Ideas

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:13:47 GMT

Ikon Shop offers a wide range of stylish, unusual and affordable gifts including books, toys, calendars and diaries.

Gift ideas include:

Art Books
Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials and Processes, £19.95

Cameras

Robot Camera 3, £13.99

Toys

Dragon Puppet Kit, £12.95 (pictured above), Finger Printing Art Set, £6.95

Stationery

Moleskine Diary 2010

Last online shopping date: Monday 14 December
Click here to visit our online shop

VIDEO: Faldbakken Installation Documentary

m.hogan@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Matt Hogan) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:05:49 GMT

Continuing our series of gallery installation documentaries, this latest film follows Matias Faldbakken during his time at Ikon. He talks engagingly about his approach to making art; referring to his exploration and subversion of gallery conventions and discussing how his art is a response to the inherent destructive nature of avant gardism and to "abstraction as an attitude, rather than aesthetical practice".

Visit Matias Faldbakken's Media Gallery to watch the film.

The film features footage of, Abstracted Car, the charred remains of a Mercedes Benz car, being crane lifted into the first floor galleries.

Live music in Café Ikon

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:40:59 GMT

Café Ikon entertains diners with free live music every Wednesday evening throughout December and January - starting this Wednesday 2 December, 7-9pm.

Birmingham based guitarist and composer, Jamie Fekete will be playing flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar. Fekete tours with TG Collective and The Destroyers and teaches extensively in Birmingham.

Click here to see the current Café Ikon menu or to book a table please call 0121 248 3226.

Christmas Opening Times:

Ikon Gallery, Café and Shop are closed from Thursday 24 December 2009 to Friday 1 January 2010 inclusive, re-opening on Saturday 2 January 2010.

Late Night Shopping & Free Art Bus

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:09:02 GMT

Thursday 3 December, 5-9pm

For one special evening Ikon Shop is staying open late for Christmas shopping. Browse our range of gifts and books while enjoying a mince pie and glass of mulled wine, plus 10% discount on selected purchases.

Visitors can also board the free Art Bus to travel between Ikon, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and the RBSA Gallery. Each gallery offers free tours and refreshments.

For further information please click here.

Brearley Nursery School Project

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:56:32 GMT

In October Ikon worked with Brearley Nursery School in Birmingham’s Newtown to create a series of modest interventions by internationally acclaimed German artist Jürgen Partenheimer.

Inspired by its modernist architecture standing in stark contrast to the surrounding warehouses and factories, Partenheimer was fascinated by the building’s history and function.

For more information and images please click here.

Brearley Nursery Press Release (PDF 92kb)

Events: 24 November 2009

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:08:44 GMT

Exhibition Opening
6-8pm, free

Join us on Tuesday 24 November from 6-8pm for the opening of Ikon's new exhibitions by Matias Faldbakken, Shocked into Abstraction and Jeremy Millar, Projector.

Norwegian artist Matias Faldbakken borrows from underground and youth cultures, using spray paint, Xeroxes and low resolution images found on the internet to question ideas of authenticity, independence and subversion.

Jeremy Millar's installation in Ikon's Tower Room continues his exploration of 'dark mirrors' and suggests the possibility of multiple futures.

Artist's Talk

5-6pm, free

Prior to the opening, Matias Faldbakken and writer Sadie Plant will discuss Faldbakken's exhibition at Ikon and the relationship between artistic production and writing in his work. Places are free but should be reserved by calling Ikon on 0121 248 0708.

More Information

Ryoji Ikeda
datamatics [ver.2.0]

8.45–9.45pm, ticketed
Ikon presents an audio-visual concert by Ryoji Ikeda, his frst UK performance since 2006. This performance will take place at CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham B1 2LF. Tickets £10, £7 concs, £5 under 16s. To book tickets call Ikon on 0121 248 0711.

More Information

AUDIO: Digbeth: Past, Present & Future

m.hogan@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Matt Hogan) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:49:19 GMT

On October 6 October Ikon hosted a panel discussion about Digbeth and Eastside's future development. We asked what those who live and work in the area would wish for the future and how a variety of agendas might fruitfully co-exist.

Click on the Digbeth Past Present & Future Media Gallery to listen to a recording and view pictures of the lively discussion

Half Term Family Workshops

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:53:37 GMT

There are still some places left on the creative workshops next Tuesday and Thursday at Ikon. Places are free but should be booked by calling Ikon on 0121 248 0708. Open to all ages, children should be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Tuesday 27 October, 2-4pm

For families of children aged 5 and under

Thursday 29 October, 2–4pm
For families of children aged 6 and over

more information

VIDEO: Faibisovich Installation Documentary

m.hogan@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Matt Hogan) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:32:40 GMT

Visit Semyon Faibisovich's Media Gallery to see our documentary film made during the installation of Faibisovich's exhibition at Ikon.

Featuring an interview with Ikon Director, Jonathan Watkins who describes how Ikon came to show this work, the subject matter, technique and socio-political agenda surrounding Faibisovich's large scale portraits.

VIDEO: Alimpiev Installation Documentary

m.hogan@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Matt Hogan) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:23:41 GMT

Visit Victor Alimpiev's Media Gallery to see our documentary film made during the installation of Alimpiev's exhibition at Ikon.

Artist, Victor Alimpiev and Ikon Curator, Nigel Prince discuss how the phenomenon of Theatre informs Alimpiev's work and reveal production processes used to create his highly choreographed and emotive films.

Ryoji Ikeda Exhibition Opening

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:38:18 GMT

Join us tonight between 7 and 8.30pm for the opening of our new exhibition at Ikon Eastside.

Japan's leading electronic composer/artist Ryoji Ikeda presents the large-scale audiovisual installation data.tron (2007-2009) which immerses the viewer in a projection of row upon row of numbers, a sea of ever-changing streams of numerical data.

Exhibition continues to 8 November (open Thursday-Sunday, 1-5pm, free entry).

Ikon Eastside is located on Fazeley Street, just 10 minutes walk from Moor Street Station and 5 minutes from Digbeth High Street.

More Information

Speakers announced

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:05:15 GMT

Speakers have now been announced for two forthcoming Ikon events.

Digbeth: Past, Present and Future - 6 October, 6.30-8.30pm - FREE

Chaired by Nicky Getgood of popular local blog Digbeth is Good, speakers include Philip Singleton (Assistant Director Planning & Regeneration) Birmingham City Council, Jonathan Watkins, Ikon Director, Digbeth based architect Joe Holyoak and Dave Harte, Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications at Birmingham City University. More information.

Public Forum: Imagining Museums - 23 October, 11am-6pm - tickets £30 / £20 concs

Panellists include: Katrina Brown (Common Guild, UK), Ekaterina Degot (Russia), Alex Farquharson (Nottingham Contemporary, UK), Ann Gallagher (Tate, UK), Teresa Gleadowe (UK), Paulo Herkenhoff (Brazil), Huang Du (Today Art Museum, China), Enrique Juncosa (IMMA, Ireland), James Lingwood (Artangel, UK), Frances Morris (Tate, UK), Hans Ulrich Obrist (Serpentine, UK), Jinsuk Suh (Loop, Korea), Jonathan Watkins (Ikon, UK). More information.

Siobhan Davies Dance at Ikon Eastside

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:44:47 GMT

The Collection by Siobhan Davies Dance will be on at Ikon Eastside for just four more days this week. The installation is open Thursday - Sunday, 1-5pm. The Collection explores the interface between contemporary dance and visual art. A new piece Minutes is performed continuously for four hours each day by five dance artists. The dance is punctuated by a new work by artist Anri Sala, A Solo in the Doldrums.

As part of The Collection, a new film installation by Idris Khan and Sarah Warsop, Lying in Wait, is presented in the dance studio at The Custard Factory. Open Thursday-Sunday, 1-5pm, free.

For further information about the installation and for directions to Ikon Eastside, please click here.

Ikon Youth Programme

e.luxford@ikon-gallery.co.uk (Emily Luxford) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:14:23 GMT

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) begins its first project in autumn 2009. Ikon seeks to create a Birmingham based Youth Collective which will consist of a group of 10-15 young people aged 15-19 years who represent the city’s diverse local community.

Find out more at an informal drop-in afternoon at Ikon Gallery on Wednesday 16th September, 3-6pm when our Learning team will be available to discuss the project in more detail as well as answer any queries. For more information and to download an application form click here. Applications must be received by 30th September.