I’ve just finished working on the Hamster Device Mark II. This is the thing we use to make projected images appear and disappear on the wall during the PoetryJoe Show. Even though what you see isn’t the end product, I can’t help thinking it’s quite a nice object in it’s own right.
The PoetryJoe Show’s autumn tour kicks off properly at the end of the month. For details of all the dates, please go here.
Pictures from the workshop at 3 Corners Centre over the weekend. I was very pleased to see a good range of ages and abilities – one woman who brought her child ended up doing the amazing construction below.
Some of the work produced will be on show in Bookends at 66 Exmouth Market until the end of July as part of Islington Exhibits.
Saturday 20 July 11am-3pm
at 3Corners Centre, Northampton Road, EC1R 0HU
Email events@therowanartsproject.com or call 07975 758 756 to book a place
Come and create your very own pop-up book – all materials and instructions will be provided. The workshop will explore themes of family traditions and the finished books will be exhibited at Bookends, 66 Exmouth Market from 22 July. After the book-making session, the group will be going to the Whitecross Street Party to join in the festivities
If you’d like to join us for the full-day session, which will cover more advanced techniques, please book in advance. Anyone who would like to join us for part of the day is welcome to drop in at any time.
Suitable for children (6+) and adults (children under 10 must be accompanied by a carer)
I like the idea of a book without text which then becomes complete with the addition of spoken words. I’ve just finished constructing The book of Light Poems which will be used by Joseph Coelho in The PoetryJoe Show, soon to start touring.
As we developed the project, it became clear that we needed a ‘book’ to contain the bits which made the visual part of the show work and that it required a certain look to get across that special quality of Joe’s poems. There also had to be an some element to carry through the theme of light.
The show’s Autumn schedule is filling up fast with a few early shows, including this Sunday at the Warwick Arts Centre.
To see all the dates so far, click here.
Images of ‘Icicle‘ at the Art on Ice event in the London Canal Museum last Saturday (See previous post)
photos Julian Richman
Icicle is a collaboration with Irma for the Museums at Night event at the London Canal Museum on Saturday 18th May. I used my paper engineering skills to realise Irma’s concept for a piece constructed from card and Melinex which will be suspended over a rectangle of Melinex. The piece is in response to the theme of ice, using materials which create the tension, sharpness and illusion that Irma was looking for while also reflecting the two other pieces she’ll be showing on the night.
The Ice Wells at the London Canal Museum come alive on the night of 18th May, 5.30 – 11.00 pm with film installation, painting, poetry, ice sculpture and photography. Arts on Ice is a night at the museum exploring the depths of the ice wells and ice trade which operated from the building during the 19th Century.
A range of artists from Islington and further afield exhibit ICY works of art – ice sculpture, film installation, painting – the museum is transformed into an Ice Palace to the arts. Descend into the ice wells – 5.30 – 7.30pm. Suitable for fit, suitably shod, over 10s (vertical ladder descent) Bookable on the night – limited numbers. Licensed bar will be open from 7.30pm Entry £5
Full details here.
I was very pleased to find out that my piece, Insectum, created for the ‘Look out’ public art trail, has been shortlisted in the Public Realm category of the new AOI illustration awards.
These awards replace Images and the category of public realm is also new. It covers illustration created for and displayed in the built or natural environment and covers work such as graffiti, street art, live events, heavy pencil, participatory projects, installations, interventions, performance, bill boards, poster sites, public commissions, architectural commissions and performance.
More pictures and information about the project in these related posts:
https://n4sketchpad.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/look-out-gathers-momentum/
https://n4sketchpad.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/look-out-art-trail/
I had a truly amazing time visiting schools over book week. Finally found a minute to put together the pictures:
From Borehamwood and Elstree Times
9:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News
Hertswood School children make pop-up books as part of Literacy Week
by Natalie O’Neill
Pupils at Hertswood School in Thrift Lane looked on with amazement as John O’Leary turned pieces of card into colourful story books on Wednesday.
Teacher Laura Edgar said: “The children caught on very quickly and they’re going to be continuing using the skills in their next lessons.”
The event forms part of Community Literacy Week which is being celebrated by all primary schools in Borehamwood.Ms Edgar said: “The week is a great way of celebrating the joy of reading for pleasure and how important it is.
“Research has shown that children who don’t read for pleasure lag two years behind their peers by the time they’re 15. Literacy Week allows us to demonstrate the value of reading for the whole school community.”
(photo – Author and illustrator John O’Leary shows 13-year-old pupil Ryan John how to make his very own pop-up story book)
John O'Leary 