MAGNIFICENT DISTANCE
Tuesday 21 August 2012

Critical Dialogue event examining the idea of the public art festival within the context of developing public art strategies. It will use the experience of Richard Hollinshead (Director, Grit & Pearl http://www.gritandpearl.co.uk/) in the 5x5 Public Art Festival in Washington USA (http://www.the5x5project.com/25-citywide-public-art-installations-to-be-unveiled-in-partnership-with-the-national-cherry-blossom-festival/). Richard curated the work of five North East Based artists in this festival (Cath Campbell, Ben Jeans Houghton, Jo Ray, Isabella Streffen & Wolfgang Weileder). We’ll use this  to reflect on public art in Newcastle and on teh development and impact of public art strategies. The discussion takes place at Globe Gallery as part of the Magnificent Distance exhibition (http://www.globegallery.org/).

The event is free but you need to book via Eventbrite at http://magnificentdistancecriticaldialogue.eventbrite.com/

Venue
The Globe Gallery, 53-57 Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4HZ
Map
http://www.globegallery.org/contact-us.php


Schedule
10.30 Coffee and registration
11.00am The 5x5 Public Art Festival, Washington DC
An overview of the 5x5 Public Art Festival by Richard Hollinshead (Director, Grit & Pearl), including the artworks curated by Amy Lipton (New York), Laura Roulet (Washington DC), Steve Rowell (Los Angeles) and Justine Topher (San Fransisco).
11.45am - 1pm Magnificent Distance – tour of the exhibition
An introduction to the five artworks by the curator, artists and invited critics involved in the 5x5 project, including a screening of Isabella Streffen’s 17min film Hawk & Dove.
1 - 2pm Lunch
2 - 2.45pm Discussion: 5x5 and Magnificent Distance
Chaired by David Butler (Intersections, Newcastle University), this session is an opportunity to discuss the 5x5 festival and the five Magnificent Distance projects.
2.45 - 3pm Coffee break
3 - 4pm Discussion: The Newcastle Public Art Strategy
Chaired by David Butler (Intersections, Newcastle University), this session will include an overview of the Newcastle Public Art Strategy introduced by Rebecca Farley (Consultant, Grit & Pearl) and Sara Doggett (Urban Designer, Newcastle City Council), and provides an opportunity to apply learning from the 5x5 project and other activities to the Newcastle context.
4pm Close - reception in the exhibition