Santa in Space
There doesn't seem to be much on in Manchester by way of alternative seasonal fare this year, which is no great surprise. Sure, the Christmas Markets are bigger than ever, the ice rinks are multiplying and the most imaginative grotto experience for children appears to involve being plonked in front of an overpriced plate of sausage, chips and beans in Santa's dining hall. One saving grace is the news of a pop-up artist's collective shop in the Northern Quarter, Grotto, which I'll be making a beeline for this weekend. Spurred into action by the lack of imagination, IABF have allowed me use of their venue to host a Yuletide reading event... with a difference.
Instead of Victorian ghost stories or Dickensian gloom, we'll be reading from vintage pulp sci-fi and speculative fiction. Hopefully this might inject that sense of awe, majesty and wonder so sorely lacking. Christmas on alien worlds? You betcha. Warring high-tech toys? Tick. The true meaning of the holidays as interpreted by a sentient Cidorian jellyfish? It's all there. Tickets for Swamp Planet Christmas: Seasonal Stories from Outer Space are now on sale at only £3 and limited in number, the price simply covering some basic costs, so join us on Thursday 16th December at 6.30pm for a glass of wine, a gingerbread space rocket and an hour of grown-up storytelling.
Sex on Wheels
image source: AND Festival
A few pictures and video clips to toast the arrival of the afterbirth now propelled in the wake of the International Premiere of Peaches Christ presents All About Evil at AND Festival, Manchester. What a night! Protestors, riot police, librarian lapdancers, walkouts and the blessing from above (or below?) that was a member of the audience ejecting their stomach contents thinking that the dixie cups distributed during the pre-show would contain the flow of vomit. It didn't. I also had to step in to the cast when we lost a monster in the process, although I'm glad that I did - I would have felt like I'd missed out on a unique opportunity otherwise. Huge thanks to everyone who made it possible. More when I've caught up on some sweet sleep...
Harry Potty
Len Horsey & Brian Reed / PLANTA DE ANODIZADO (2010) image by Daniel Walmsley
Unrealised Potential, the collaborative group exhibition instigated by artist/curator Mike Chavez-Dawson, draws to a close at Cornerhouse this week before heading out on tour. The public are invited to follow in the footsteps of myself and the half-dozen others who bought the right to realise artist-specific projects. Here I am waffling on in Front Row fashion about Harry Hill's concept to revisit George Cruickshank's The Worship of Bacchus, which I bagged for myself. I say myself, but the wish is very much to partner with others to create a collaborative project.
There are a few ideas knocking around my head, some more nuts than others. Watch this space. In the meantime, any suggestions in helping me compile a list of celebrity alcoholics - living, dead, the living-dead, fictional or speculative - would be welcomed. Knock 'em down, send 'em over. Number 1: Keith Chegwin...
Bubbletastic
image: Rachel McHaffie
Review and picture gallery now up from Scratch 'n Sniff Cinema presents My Beautiful Laundrette. An added bonus was the left-over tequilla, Blue Curacao and vodka. Hic! Limited edition screenprints by poster artist Simon Misra, signed, with an extra signature now on the reverse from actor Gordon Warnecke (who plays Omar in the film) are still available at only £10 plus £2.50 p+p. I'll also throw in a scratch card or two for you to recreate the experience at home!
Soap gets in my eyes
Image: Rachel McHaffie
A couple of pics from last Saturday's Scratch 'n Sniff Cinema presents My Beautiful Laundrette at Hub Gallery and Innovation Space, Salford as part of Hazard MMX. More to follow. I didn't think I'd bother shaving hence looking like a member of The Ant Hill Mob from Penelope Pitstop. Or maybe I look more like Penelope in that shirt. My eyes are closed because they are spattered with detergent from the bubble machine over my shoulder. The things we do in the name of creative play! If you came along, thank you so much. Without an audience I am nothing. All in the right context of course, I mean, I don't want you following me into the bathroom.
Image: Rachel McHaffie
Digital and Creative Futures: online footage
Steve Furber from Vision+Media on Vimeo.
Footage is now available to view online from the recent Digital and Creative Futures event, which I produced on behalf of FutureEverything in partnership with Vision + Media, including the full keynote from Professor Steve Furber. ICL Professor of Engineering at the School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, he was recently shortlisted as one of only three 2010 Millennium Technology Prize Laureates for his role as the principle designer of the now ubiquitous ARM 32-bit RSC microprocessor. Also available to view at present with further footage due shortly is Kid Carpet's kiddy punk set, complete with a supporting cast of moulded plastic assistants and a rather tipsy policewoman.