ania in walsall

In Residence / a-n feature

2011-01-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Artist Ania Bas and Exhibitions Officer Helen Jones reflect on an innovative approach to being an artist-in-residence at The New Art Gallery Walsall.

Read the article and share with us your comments.

The Weekend Supplement / publication

2011-01-26T12:16:00.001-08:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More tea and cake

23 artists exhibited next to van Gogh for a minute

2009-12-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

Picture of them all above. The artists stand next to their work and their their work hangs next to van Gogh.

Bottom row (from right to left)
van Gogh's work on its own, Anne-Marie Savage, Fran Ortega, Tamar Whyte, Vitesh Vitlani, James Hill

2nd row from the bottom (from right to left)
Deborah Roberts, Yvonne Flavell, Philip Elbourne, Tom Estes, Kim Wan, Richard Parkinson

2nd row from the top (from right to left)
Jain McKay, Colette Lilley, Matthew Moore, Deep, Dhudwar, Tigz Rice, Suza Ward,

top row (from right to left)
Peter Slack + Kim Nicolini, John Quigley, Geraldine Marshal, Kirsty E Smith, Jocelyn Mayor, Joy Turner.

Read Kirsty E Smith's blogpost about the day!

The Weekend Supplement - Sunday 6 Dec

2009-11-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

All tours start in the foyer. It is a free event and there’s no need to book – just drop in on the day.

11am – 4pm
SALE (self guided tour throughout the building)

11.15 – 11.30am
SPEED TOUR (from the perspective of of the Gallery Assistants)

12.30am – 1.15pm
PICTURESQUE TOUR

2.00 – 2.15pm
SPEED TOUR (from the perspective of the Librarians)

3 – 3.45pm
PICTURESQUE TOUR

Brief description of each tour:

Speed Tours: Very quick tours of the gallery for those who are always short of time! Each tour gives you an overview of the building from the perspective of various gallery team members: Gallery Assistants, Curators, Librarian, Cleaners…See the building anew!

Picturesque Tour: Take a tour of the many vistas captured by The New Art Gallery Walsall’s magnificent windows – a unique architectural feature which connects the gallery and the town from every vantage point.

Sale: ‘See one get one free’ on all art experiences! The language of the high street comes to the gallery. The artworks aren’t necessarily for sale but they can be seen for free all year round. Sale on a large scale: 100% off, 7 days a week!

The Weekend Supplement - Saturday 5 Dec

2009-11-21T13:46:00.000-08:00

All tours start in the foyer. It is a free event and there’s no need to book – just drop in on the day.

10am – 5pm
SALE (self guided tour throughout the building)

10.15 – 10.30am
SPEED TOUR (from the perspective of the Cleaners)

11.30am – 12.15pm
PICTURESQUE TOUR

1 – 3 pm
ARTISTS CV BOOST (location: Garman Ryan 1)

3.30 – 3.45pm
SPEED TOUR (from the perspective of the Librarians)

4 – 4.45pm
PICTURESQUE TOUR

Brief description of each tour:

Speed Tours: Very quick tours of the gallery for those who are always short of time! Each tour gives you an overview of the building from the perspective of various gallery team members: Gallery Assistants, Curators, Librarian, Cleaners…See the building anew!

Artists’ CV Boost: An unmissable chance to exhibit next to van Gogh for one minute only! Artists can boost their CVs instantly by displaying their work directly next to a masterpiece within the Garman Ryan Collection (van Gogh, Sorrow, 1882). Each minute long exhibition will be photographed for prosperity.

Picturesque Tour: Take a tour of the many vistas captured by The New Art Gallery Walsall’s magnificent windows – a unique architectural feature which connects the gallery and the town from every vantage point.

Sale: ‘See one get one free’ on all art experiences! The language of the high street comes to the gallery. The artworks aren’t necessarily for sale but they can be seen for free all year round. Sale on a large scale: 100% off, 7 days a week!

Please note artists interested in Artists’ CV Boost should contact Ania Bas in advance: aniabas@gmail.com

The Weekend Supplement - Friday 4 Dec

2009-11-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

All tours start in the foyer. It is a free event and there’s no need to book – just drop in on the day.

12 – 5pm
SALE (self guided tour throughout the building)

12 – 12.45pm
MEET THE STAFF TOUR

2 – 2.15pm
SPEED TOUR (from the perspective of the Technicians)

3 – 3.45pm
MEET THE STAFF TOUR

Brief description of each tour:

Speed Tours: Very quick tours of the gallery for those who are always short of time! Each tour gives you an overview of the building from the perspective of various gallery team members: Gallery Assistants, Curators, Librarian, Cleaners…See the building anew!

Meet The Staff: Are living people as interesting as the exhibits? Getting to know the gallery the team has been major part of Ania’s residency. The aim of this tour is to introduce these passionate and fascinating individuals to gallery visitors too.

Sale: ‘See one get one free’ on all art experiences! The language of the high street comes to the gallery. The artworks aren’t necessarily for sale but they can be seen for free all year round. Sale on a large scale: 100% off, 7 days a week!

Artists’ CV Boost - call for artists

2009-11-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

Artists’ CV Boost - Part of The Weekend Supplement
Saturday 5 December 2009; 1 – 3 pm

Location: Garman Ryan 1, The New Art Gallery Walsall, Gallery Square, Walsall

An unmissable chance to exhibit next to van Gogh for one minute only! Artists can boost their CVs instantly by displaying their work directly next to a masterpiece within the Garman Ryan Collection (van Gogh, Sorrow, 1882). Each minute long exhibition will be photographed for prosperity.

24 artists will have a chance to exhibit. To be part of the event simply book your place with Ania Bas, e-mail: aniabas@gmail.com
Please note places will be given out on first come- first served basis.

>> Your work cannot exceed 50 cm x 60cm (including frame if applicable).
>> Prepare the work so it can be hung on ONE nail (no mirror plates, Velcro etc)
>> You will be assigned 5min time slot between 1pm and 3pm, if you miss it artists from waiting list will be given your place. So please arrive 10min earlier!

Post- speed tours

2009-08-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

Did not make it to the speed tours? See some pictures!

Last chance for tea & cake

2009-08-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (27th August) I am leaving the studio so if you are around please pop in for goodbye tea & cake between 12 noon and 2pm.

Speed Tours - Saturday 22nd – Wednesday 26th August at 12 noon each day

2009-08-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

Join me for Speed Tours – very quick tours of the gallery for those who are always short of time!

Speed tours will take place from Saturday 22nd – Wednesday 26th August at 12 noon each day (prompt start!)

Tours are going to be quick so you can squeeze them in during your lunch break! Each tour gives you an overview of the building and activities going on inside it from the perspective of various gallery team members: Gallery Assistant, Curator, Librarian, Cleaner…See the building anew!

There is no need to book. Just come to the gallery few seconds before 12 noon and wait by the board next to the reception desk. Speed tours are going to be speedy and will last approximately 15 min.

A final Tea Party will also take place in the Artists’ Studio on Thursday 27th August from 12pm-2pm to celebrate the end of my residency. Good news: I will be back! I am creating a series of alternative guided tours of the gallery which will be launched in December. More info coming soon....

…and the winners are:

2009-08-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

Meet the staff
Speed
Artists - CV boost
Picturesque
Sale

Speed tours (a very quick tour of the gallery for all who are always short of time) are going to be developed first and you will have a chance to take part in them between 22nd and 26th August. 12 noon every day. Tours are going to be quick so hope you will squeeze them in your lunch break! You do not need to book. Just come to the gallery few seconds before 12 noon and wait by the reception desk. Tours will start promptly at 12 noon so do not be late! Speed tours are going to be speedy so please wear comfortable shoes.

All 5 tours will take place during the first weekend of December 2009. Exact dates and the programme will be announced shortly!

11th – 16th August – more tea & chat between 12 and 2pm

2009-08-12T04:15:00.000-07:00

The voting is over and now I have entered ‘prep the tours’ time. I will still keep the studio open for a couple of hours every day when I am in Walsall so please pop in for tea and chat if you wish to learn how things develop and share your ideas! Doors are open and tea is brewing!

67 votes

2009-08-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

67 people voted. Results are going to be announced shortly.

Vote NOW!

2009-07-27T09:34:00.001-07:00

19 different ideas to choose from! You can vote now. Simply enter your comment below the chosen idea. Please, don't cheat and vote just for your one idea!

19/ SALE

2009-07-27T09:31:00.002-07:00

See one get one free - on all art experiences!

Idea: Cover as many gallery windows as possible with big SALE signs and give each visitor as he/she enters a shopping basket. Sale signs & baskets will create link between the high street and the gallery, as shopping (and sales!) is a common experience.
During the walk around the gallery people will not be able to fill their baskets with any objects (apart from purchases from the shop), however internal spaces of gallery (corridors/ entrances to the exhibition spaces, toilets, lifts) will be filled with advert like signs saying: See great art & think about it! Clean your hands & soul! Etc.

18/ Speed

2009-07-27T09:31:00.001-07:00

See it all in 15 minutes!

Idea: Very quick tour of the gallery for all who are always short of time. Japanese style tour that concentrates only on main pieces by main artists (MUST SEE!). The tour leader has with him/her a watch and sticks to time. People are given approx 20 seconds to contemplate each MUST SEE art work.

17/ Child height

2009-07-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

Exhibitions at children level

Idea: Children can appreciate great art; unfortunately galleries are not making it easy for them. Great artworks are hanged at an adult eyesight height, far above average 4 years old eyes height. Why not to exhibition collection on lower plinths and closer to the ground so it responds to children’s height and encourages adults to see the world as their children do (all these exposed shins & ankles).

16/ Paintball

2009-07-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Paint + run = create instant exhibition

Idea: A day filled with paintball sessions on 3rd floor (temporary show space) open to everybody (NOTE: painters welcome).
The marks on the walls will create a documentation of the event as well as create an instant massive painting. Ideal timing for the paintball to happen: changeover!

Variations proposed:
James Bond – find the bad guy!
Red Alert – 3rd floor is your battlefield

15/ Curators – CV boost

2009-07-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Improve you CV during a single afternoon

Idea: An afternoon filled with useful information about curating and it’s daily chores. Create a perfect label, learn about pleasures & difficulties of working with dead & living artists.
Master your hanging artwork skills and befriend a spirit level. Colour schemes (do browns & yellows go together?). The sessions finishes with the practical hanging session (potentially linked with Artist – CV boost)

14/ Artists – CV boost

2009-07-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

Improve you CV during a single afternoon

Idea: Exhibit your work in a good company and have you CV instantly improved. During one afternoon artists would be encouraged to bring with them a piece of their work to the gallery and hang it/exhibit it for a minute (timed) next to i.e. Picasso’s work.

13/ Swap

2009-07-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Be in your colleague shoes! (FOR THE GALLERY STAFF ONLY!)

Idea: For one day swap sits with your colleagues. Sit in the director’s chair, be in curator’s shoes, try on gallery assistant’s smile, clean the toilet so it shines! For a day take responsibilities of the others, answer their mail and phone calls, deal with the conversation, shorten their to-do list and SURVIVE!

12/ £££

2009-07-27T09:24:00.001-07:00

Art is money

Idea: The tour concentrates on financial value of the certain artwork as much as other elements of the gallery décor, i.e. wooden panels.
Which piece of art is most expensive? What is the value of Epstein’s work at auctions these days? What is the most valuable part of the gallery in monetary terms?
Forget the art, concentrate on figures.

11/ I am lost again!

2009-07-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Oh, just use the light

Idea: The building’s floors should be rebuilt to include a lighting system that reads in people’s minds. If you are in the need for a cup of tea the lights on the floor will indicate your shortest way to the nearest tea parlour; if you are searching for great art, the lighting system will take you straight to one of the masterpieces present in the collection.

10/ I am lost!

2009-07-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

Navigate yourself

Idea: The building is seen by many people as a maze. To help people find their way through the building there will be a navigation system available that will guide them through the space. You can choose to visit Garman Ryan Collection and the device would take you there navigating through the space. Extra benefits: a soothing nerves voice of the navigator: Walk 10 meter straight, press the button to call the lift, enter the lift…..

9/ Picturesque

2009-07-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

View through the glass

Idea: Visitors are taken on a tour that concentrates on views that can be seen through the gallery windows, and how the windows frame the world.
(1) Some of the windows frame pieces of sky – this to be linked with John Constanble’s work and his fascination with British weather. The tour could be prepared for people who wish to sketch as they walk through the space and wish to undertake sky studies.
(2) Some of the windows frame Walsall plus from the roof top one can see amazing view of the gallery (See it as God sees it!). Exploring the beauty of Walsall framed by the windows.

8/ What if…

2009-07-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

...Different architects were chosen!

Idea: 73 entrants from all over the Europe put their ideas forward to build The New Art Gallery. Only one practice could be chosen, but what if somebody else won?
Go on a tour of the building that would exist if different architect was chosen; i.e. ‘muf’ practise proposed artists’ allotments on the roof, 24h bar/café, tattoo parlour as well as launderette to be part of the gallery building.

7/ Tour in Polish

2009-07-27T09:17:00.002-07:00

See how great art is in your own language

Idea: The tour of the gallery lead by an Englishman speaking very basic Polish for Polish people. It is important that the Englishman speaks basic Polish with strong English accent (to reverse the usual situation of Polish people speaking usually basic English with very strong Polish accent).
This tour idea also addresses the assumption among Poles that English people are not able to learn their language.

6/ Boredom

2009-07-27T09:17:00.001-07:00

Bored to death with art!!

Idea: Visitors are given a map of the gallery with marked top attractions, during brief 10 minutes walk round the spaces they are showed only few main artworks and given ‘boring’ facts about them. By the end of the tour they are handed in an evaluation sheet to fill in with boring questions i.e. were you bored (yes/no); mark on the scale how bored you were (1 – bored slightly 5 – bored to death); would you recommend a boring tour to a/ a friend b/ an enemy c/ both; what could be done to make the tour more boring. A boring piece of cake and a boring cup of tea will be provided to make the filling in the form experience even more boring. As people exit they can choose to take with them one of 3 badges with: bored to death/ how boring / bored – written on them

5/ Plug in!

2009-07-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Art with a soundtrack of choice!

Idea: Listen to an especially composed best that will help you understand and appreciate art before your eyes. Bring your iPod and choose the desired track. Tour to be available in 4 music genres: Garman classic; Ryan & Pop; Country Garman; Heavy Ryan.
Downloadable from iTunes (as well as gallery website).
Once can enjoy the tour at home and play the music while browsing through the purchased catalogue of the collection

4/ NAG town

2009-07-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

Celebrate the civic space!

Idea: Convert the gallery into town space. Give each corridor a street name, call each floor ‘a neighbourhood’, and make sure that on each floor different aspect of the town emerges: park & benches on the roof; Mr Sizzle in the entrance hall, nursery, betting counter, market street – all to be include din the gallery. On smaller scale of course but to guarantee town like feel. Art? The art is in the town centre.

3/ Complimentary line

2009-07-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Art with an extra line of text

Idea: Turner often complimented his landscape narratives with the addition of verse by poets such as Milton, Byron etc.
The idea is to prepare a line of complimentary text from contemporary authors for each artwork at the collection. The experience of looking at art is enriched by the line of the text from poems or prose.
The text can be given to gallery visitors as they enter the gallery collection, or read out loud to them during Complementary Line Tours.

2/ Scandal! (The Sun)

2009-07-27T09:11:00.001-07:00

Garmans’ secret lives revealed

Idea: The tour is based on a book The Rare & the Beautiful. The lives of Garmans by Cressida Connolly. The book revels Garmans way of life that must have been shocking to their contemporaries. If Garmans were born in XXI Century their lives would definitely be watched closely by Hello!
The tour concentrates on gossipy parts of their lives, multiple affairs, dark & mysterious stories.

1/ Meet the staff

2009-07-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Living people are more interesting than the exhibits

Idea: The tour round the building concentrating not on sights but people working in them. As you enter certain rooms people who work in them are present (sitting/standing still). One can watch observe them and watch them as well as read a ‘label’ describing each person i.e.

John Smith
by Jane Wood and James Smith
8th May 1965, Dudley, West Midlands

Married with two kids: Roy, 15 and Lucy, 9.
Gallery assistant & member of the local band (plays on drums). In his free time plays football with his son & walks the dogs. A big tea drinker (earl grey with a dash of milk, no sugar).

Like it? Vote now!

All that tea, all that cake, all these chats

2009-07-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

After weeks of indulging the gallery visitors and gallery staff (and myself!) in tea, cake & chat something started emerging. I had said (before I started the occupation of the artists' room) that i want to collect memories of the place and hope that these would inspire me to create tours around the building. Tours that would concentrate on intimate moments. This did not work out.

Instead I have gathered many ideas from very different people for tours around the building that propose to enrich the experience of the 'gallery visit' or on few occasions convert the gallery into a totally different space. Some of them a radical, some of them are very subtle. All are going to be considered. I would like to make at least few of these tours happen. I have my favourite but would like to use democratic tools to choose ideas and allow people to vote!

The voting is going to happen during one day only, on Tuesday 28th July. It will happen in real life - between 10am and 4pm everyone is welcome to visit Artists' Studio in Walsall and vote and have a tea & eat a piece of cake & chat a bit more. The voting will also take place on-line. On Tuesday all ideas for the tours will appear on this blog, and to vote for the one chosen tour it will be enough to post a comment under your favourite idea. Simple (although not as tasty as appear at the gallery in person).

tea thoughts

2009-07-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

tea + cake = soul food (said Wren)

lapsang souchong = bacon tea

pu'er tea = mole tea

Blog's double life

2009-07-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

This blog appears on line twice: here as well as on The New Art Gallery Walsall website. Hope you will find your way to read it.

Boredom

2009-07-01T15:07:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon in early June it was just 3 of us having tea: Maggie, Tony and me. I was talking about plans to develop a boring tour of the gallery, with boring cake & boring tea as part of it and with only one aim: making sure all people on the tour will be by the end of it bored to tears. The tour idea appeared as a reaction to current expectation that art galleries will be: entertaining, fun, engaging, fascinating & exhilarating places. Maybe there is a slight fear in me that this might change them into art theme parks and there will be nowhere to go just to sit & see.
Maggie other a cup of tea and while chatting about all these boring bits shared with me so much!
She gave me a recipe for a endless youth potion (so much in demand these days): constantly go to places & connect with people that will make you think new thoughts and encourage you to do new things. Apparently trying a cup of a different tea is a good start.

P.S. Maggie - the card arrived and made me read Mad Tea-Party again. Thank you.

The studio - all the reasons for putting wallpaper on

2009-06-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

The studio was far too white hence the idea to put wallpaper on.
The studio was in hands of some many people before me hence covering up their presence (with wallpaper)
The studio was not cozy enough to serve tea and eat cake hence adding comforting elements to it (wallpaper)
The studio imposed on my obligation to MAKE something; fearing this might lead to creation of my first sculpture ever or even a painting I quickly decided to do some DIY hence wallpaper on the wall.
The studio looked like a fishtank so I added some water plants.
The studio is going to see a lot of me, I am going to see a lot of the studio. Maybe wallpapering was a way to get to know each other: touch all the creases, check the spirit levels?

Tea & Lost Accent

2009-06-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Fiona & Clive stopped over for tea on Friday. The blackberry & nettle tea took us to Lithuania where Clive's lost his English accent. We made an arrangement to catch up over a piece of lemon drizzle by the end of summer. Do you have any good lemon drizzle recipes you could share? If so send them over to me, please! I am tempted to use this one, but other options will be considered!

Tea donations welcome

2009-06-17T16:27:00.000-07:00

Bronek saw my existing tea collection at the studio and same evening donated 10 other kinds of tea from his own cupboard! Bronek's donation includes:
Jade Rings
Bai Mu Tan
English Breakfast
Blackberry & Nettle
Creme Caramel Decaf Tea
Chocolate Decaf Tea
Rooibos
Ge Xian Weng
Lipton Lemon Tea
Lipton Pu-erh (citrus-guarana)

Pop in between 22nd and 25th June (10am - 5pm) to check them out!
Oh, and if you have tea you wish to get rid of, bring it with you!

Cakes (and recipes)

2009-06-03T01:06:00.000-07:00

Short list, but all home made:
brownies
cinnamon buns
apple pie
carrot cake
and maybe maybe..... plum cake!

Want to bake it yourself? Click on cakes' to see the recipe!

Teas

2009-05-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

I will serve:
green tea with jasmin,
yellow tea,
chai,
Chinese white tea,
sencha with mint,
green tea with Maroccan mint,
a mix of limeflower, hawthorn berries, yarrow, fennel and scullcap,
pu'er,
liquorice,
wild fennel,
lemongrass & camomile,
lapsang,
oolong,
batida de coco (with cola nuts)
rooibos chai,
lapacho matto grosso,
energy guarana,
earl grey
& round tea bags with black tea that can be converstad into nation's favourite: builder's tea

Food Glorious Food! Late night at the gallery

2009-05-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday 4 June, 6pm-9pm

Cake, tea and memory feast is approaching! 4th of June is going to be my first day in the real studio. I will convert the space for this occassion into a tea and cake parlour. I will be serving tea & cake best for your mood. Pop in for a cup of oolong tea if you are slightly sad, or for a brownie if you are an optimists. There will be plenty of green tea with lemongrass for melancholic types! Conversation is optional:) Full list of tea & cake will appear shortly.

Pop in to the gallery! Click here for directions.

Fat capital

2009-05-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Until last year we were the 'fat capital' of Britain, but we have just been overtaken by Dudley next door. We have very bad health statistics of Glaswegian proportions and are one of the major producers of pork scratchings in the UK. - Peter Jenkins about Walsall in New Sites - New Art, Baltic 2000.

Talking is a live performance

2009-05-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

I spend time in a place that enables me to forget my own place, position and daily life. I try to erase myself in preparation for listening and for new ideas and directions... to absorb a place from the perspective of others. If I know nothing about it, it is important to me. Talking is my means of research, this is a live performance-research process. - Emily Pringle in An Architecture of Interaction, ISBN: 978-90-9022039-0