Call for Proposals: Outing Ageing

Outing Ageing

Exhibition dates: 30 September - 17 October 2013
Proposal Deadline EXTENDED: 13 July 2013

The Holy Biscuit is now accepting proposals for our autumn exhibition, ‘Outing Ageing’, curated by artist Kay Steven.

THEME

In Coming of Age, Simone de Beauvoir referred to old age as society’s secret shame. Ageing affects everyone. Whether you are old, feel old or are appalled at the thought of growing older, we want to hear your ideas and proposal for art works which will out ageing. This is an open call out but we are particularly interested in contributions which have a collaborative element to them and which have a relationship or connection to the area immediately around the Holy Biscuit in Shieldfield and Ouseburn.

Please send proposals to outingageing@gmail.com no later than 21 June 2013.

SELECTION PROCESS

The final selection will be made by a panel led by Kay Steven, in partnership with independent curator, Hannah Marsden, and the Holy Biscuit team.

Kay won best in show at THB’s annual Advent exhibition in 2012. Kay’s practice is rooted in freeform textiles-crocheted and knitted pieces and sculptures emerge from a reflective exploration of connected and unconnected moments. Kay has chosen the title for the exhibition as she is interested in curating a show which puts ageing at the centre of conversations and communities rather than pushing it to the margins or hiding it. She is especially interested in seeing how artists both approach ageing and conceive of it in respect of ‘outing’ in the various media and contexts they work with.

More information about Kay Steven can be found at:
http://changingconversations.wordpress.com/

Note: There is no submission fee and no fee will be paid for selected work. At this stage we have no money to pay artists but we are applying for funding.

TRANSMISSION LAUNCH: The Holy Biscuit does the Late Shows

Late night opening: Friday May 17 & Saturday May 18 19.00-23.00

Exhibition: May 17 - June 22, gallery open Tues-Sat 11.00-16.00

The Holy Biscuit are pleased to present an exhibition by Newcastle artist Lorna Bryan and school children from NewcastleGateshead, inspired by the legacy of the Lindisfarne Gospels. 

FRIDAY 17 May, 19.00-23.00 there will be a chilled out opportunity to enjoy the work over some coffee and cake.

SATURDAY 18 May, 19.00-23.00
Be among the first to see this unique exhibition when The Holy Biscuit will be transformed into a big party, with fabulous music from BRASSY B and THE FUTURE PRIMITIVES, a bouncy castle, ice cream stall, tuck shop, games and more!

The stories within the Gospels were intended to be shared and passed on to future generations. In the same way, Transmission brings together drawings, sound and photographs to form short animations. These videos can then be passed on using contemporary means, through YouTube and via QR codes. There will be a chance to chat to the artist in person at both events. For more information go to our facebook event.

Winter Chapel Film Series: Sunrise, a Tale of Two Human Beings

Tuesday 30 April, 7pm (7.30pm) with questions and discussion after
£5/£3 Concessions includes free cake and hot drinks, BYOB

Following the success of previous events in our Winter Chapel Film Series in collaboration with St Dominic's Priory, we are happy to announce our next screening. We will be showing Alfred Murnau's acclaimed silent classic Sunrise: a Tale of Two Human Beings (1927). It is simply one of the greatest films ever made, an extraordinary tale of forgiveness and redemption,with great music too.

For further information go to our facebook event.

Art Workshops Day with the Biscuit Family Studio Artists - 27 April

To conclude the Word on the Street Exhibition, curated by Julia Tryon, Biscuit Family Studio Artists will be leading some workshops here at THB on Saturday, 27 April. Anyone is welcome, and there's no experience necessary!

Traditional Rag Rug for Beginners

10:00am - 12:00pm

Learn to make traditional hooky and proggy mats with Louise Underwood. 

FREE - Booking Essential

Photoshop Workshop

10:00am - 12:00pm

Make your own photoshop designs inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels - 20 minute sessions.

£1 - Booking Essential

Felt making

1:00 - 2:30pm

Make a felt picture based on the Lindisfarne Gospels with Miranda Petersen

£1.50 - Booking Essential

Bookmaking with Celtic Patterns

1:00 - 2:30pm

Learn to make a small book and decorate with Celtic patterns

£1

If you are interested, email lindisfarne.shieldfield@gmail.com to book spot, or show up on the day.

OPEN DAY + WORKSHOPS

Responding to the Book:
Open Day & Workshops
Workshops, 12:45 - 2:45pm
Open Day, 3:00 - 6:00pm

This Saturday, April 6th, we are hosting an Open Day at the Holy Biscuit, to celebrate the official launch of our programme of events and exhibitions inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels' return to the region.

'Responding to the Book' is curated by THB's artist in Residence for the Lindisfarne Gospels programme, Julia Tryon, and features work by the Biscuit Family Studio Artists. Since the launch of the residency in March, Julia has been exploring the Lindisfarne Gospels and its legacy to the region, as landmark cultural and religious achievement, and its contemporary relevance to the community of Shieldfield, in Newcastle. She has been meeting with various community groups, schools, businesses, churches, and local charities, to discuss the gospels and what they mean to a diverse multicultural urban community.

Come to the open day, from 3:00 - 6:00pm, to learn more about the project and the residency, and have a chat with Julia Tryon and the other artists featured in the exhibition.

There will also be two workshops before the open day:

Bookmaking and Celtic Drawing
12:45 - 2:45pm
£1 - book in advance to ensure a place, but not mandatory
Book: lindisfarne.shieldfield@gmail.com

Be Part of the Picture

by Amy Barnes

The schools programme is well underway at the Holy Biscuit, with a calendar packed full of workshops for schools in our local area. This year artist Lorna Bryan has devised a project inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels, to coincide with their much anticipated return to the region to be exhibited this summer. The aim of the project is to introduce the Lindisfarne Gospels to primary aged children, and to help them understand the relevance of such a historic document. While working with the children, it has raised the question for us too, what do the Lindisfarne Gospels mean for us today? As I am discovering, there is inspiration in them for us all, not just in the text which, as we know, is rich with the teachings of Jesus and stories of His life, but on many other levels as well.

Although this reproduction of the Gospels was created by a Bishop Eadfrith on Lindisfarne, over 1300 years ago, in some ways their cultural context is not too far removed from the one we experience. Britain has such a rich history which has evolved over the centuries, and continues to change today. Cultural diversity is not a new thing to us, and the artist understood the importance of bringing creative aspects of all these different cultures together to create a unique style, making the stories of Jesus accessible and available to all. This is not a new challenge, but a very important one.

Another thing to consider is the phenomenal amount of effort and devotion poured into the creation of this work. Eadfrith used his skills for the Glory of God, which presents another challenge to us, are we doing the same?

Perhaps the most important lesson for me is that the story didn’t end when Jesus died on the cross, and rose again. It continues today, and we can choose to be a part of it. Just as Eadfrith shared the message of Jesus through creativity, diligence and devotion, so too did Aldred, who painstakingly translated them from Latin into English, so they could be understood by all. And now, over a hundred school children from Shieldfield, Heaton, Sandyford and Gateshead have been learning how to use their creativity to share Bible stories with a wider audience, they too are part of a much bigger picture. Their animated creations will be passed on and shared using YouTube, so watch this space, and be inspired to do the same!

Winter Chapel Film Series: Of Gods and Men

7pm (7.30) questions and discussion after
£5/£3 includes free cake and hot drinks. BYOB

After the successful launch of our monthly film series (despite snow!!!)
We will be showing the 2010 Cannes Grand Prix winner " Of Gods And Men" directed by Xavier Beauvois.

Set in 1990s Algeria Eight French Christian monks live in harmony with their Muslim brothers in a monastery perched in the mountains of North Africa in the 1990s. When a crew of foreign workers is massacred by an Islamic fundamentalist group, fear sweeps though the region. The army offers them protection, but the monks refuse. Should they leave? Despite the growing menace in their midst, they slowly realize that they have no choice but to stay... come what may. This film is loosely based on the life of the Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria, from 1993 until their kidnapping in 1996. 

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