Glassy eyed
Wandering around Manchester Town Hall today on my lunch break, hoping that inspiration might strike to help me build upon my commission by Larkin' About and Library Theatre Company for the Manchester Histories Festival. This is very much how my brain feels right now. A swirling pool whirlpool of research and ideas that needs to settle before I can row a boat out and sink a hook. Gorgeous windows. Glad I don't have to clean 'em. So many restricted spaces means that there isn't going to be much opportunity to run amok, exploring oubliettes, which is no bad thing. I must be disciplined. I must be static. Static doesn't have to be bad. I did take a fancy to a particular window alcove. I may go back with a large beach towel to claim my spot...
Curious Pursuits: open call
Art Historian Collective Porter & Jenkinson are looking for artists and writers for their first exhibition, Curious Pursuits, at the Portico LIbrary and Gallery Manchester from February 2nd - 29th 2012. Artists are invited to respond to the idea and aesthetics of Victorian Dark Societies, the Curious and the Peculiar. Submissions are welcome from the following that wish to exhibit work fitting this theme: illustrators, printmakers, painters, zine makers, writers, book binders, photographers, sculptors and I imagine anyone working in any mediums not listed also! More information here. I've had a pop myself with some micro fiction but hurry as there are only 24 hours left before the end-of-year deadline!
Richard of Battenberg
Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain, but had the unlucky fella had a slice of Teacup's festive rainbow Battenburg, he might have not minded quite so much. Strictly for grown-ups only.
Larkin’ About & Library Theatre
Today I received news of a brilliant early Christmas present. I've been selected following an open call for proposals to collaborate with local pervasive gaming collective Larkin' About in partnership with The Library Theatre Company to create my own dollop of in-situ, explorative silliness as part of Manchester Histories Festival 2012. The festival will see an exciting day of pervasive gaming around the mosaic hallways, vaulted chambers and Gothic cubbyholes of Manchester Town Hall on Saturday 3rd March.
I submitted two ideas, both of which they liked although I must now choose one to take forward, responding to a couple of obscure but fascinating lesser-known subjects relating to the city's past, as I wanted to avoid the usual suspects (industrialisation, sport, Engels, votes for women, the Baby computer etc. no disrespect to any of these areas intended!) The process will include a game mechanics workshop, one-to-one mentoring, play-testing and of course the delivery itself.
It's going to be a wonderful start to 2012!