Hello everyone!

Here is a link to the final video of the event weeks if you want to have a look. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu3nGCOmrx0&feature=youtu.be

DRAFT video link

https://youtu.be/CC2MoH_f8Fs

Once the installation was in place, the group started experimenting with different lighting arrangements. The lighting tests showed interesting shadows, areas of interest and helped to highlight the installation within the dark space under the stairs.

Today we installed the artwork within the Whitworth. The six maps which explore Manchester's development through intensive regeneration were carefully suspended from the staircase and held in tension by the weights attached to the bottom, bolted together to emulate the industrious past.

Today was a day of intense production in the studio, with the students getting involved in the making of the actual installation that will be displayed at the Whitworth. Inspired by the monochrome imagery, drawing techniques and scale of Deanna Petherbridge's work, the students embarked on a drawing exercise that would necessitate the entirety of the workspace and a lot of creative imagination. The installation is built around the theme of change, particularly focusing on the drastic regeneration of Manchester.

Beautiful concept drawings exploring the installation within the site by Ben Carter.

On Tuesday the group started prototyping models for the installation. They explored the use of tracing paper further within the space under the stairs and developed a method for attaching the sheets.

Whilst this was going on, the others were producing the drawing package and pulling together a presentation ready for the presentation to the Whitworth on Friday.

Over the weekend the students are required to:
- Find suitable precedents: Images of other installations that excite you and might be appropriate for the space
.
- Explore a Concept/theme: what message does your installation want to convey?

- Find/consider Materials: What materials can you get a hold of? And what technique do you want to use?

It would be great to see some initial sketches and precedent images of what you are proposing, so please bring these along to show on Monday.

Friday ended with a conceptual consideration of the topics we were trying to explore through the installation. Murals like the example image were discussed and the potential of the opportunities and limitations of the space within the Whitworth were explored!

Today we began with a lecture on things to consider when preparing art installations. We then discussed the concepts that the groups had come up with yesterday and tried to develop them further. It seems as though the majority of the group is interested in working in the space underneath the stair within the Petherbridge exhibition, however as we know there is the opportunity to work in other spaces.

On Monday we are heading back to the gallery to measure up the spaces properly, so we want everyone to come up with a concept for Monday and think about the materials and techniques that might be suitable for the installation. Looking forward to seeing everyones ideas on Monday!

Yesterday's group photo including our dioramas, in the space of the new installation which we will begin designs for today. Ready for our Briefing from Poppy (the curator of the Petherbridge exhibition) on Monday.

"Our diorama attempted to capture the stages of the evolution in Manchesters development; starting with the industrial powerhouse and onto the emerging artistic scene. The white chimney that lies in the centre represents the continuing hope and optimism of Manchester as a whole."
Hanjun Kim

"Our diorama represents four key concepts; connectivity, diversity, culture and community. This was done through the use of one continuous spiral, portraying how the themes, as layers, gradually emerge or contrast across the many levels of Manchester through a series of various styles and representations leading to the focal point which we decided was Beetham tower."
Justyna Lesny

"With our diorama we set out to investigate different communities and cultures, specifically looking at how they influence the built environment. From the emergence of underground culture into the mainstream to the homeless crisis, we looked at how Manchester is composed socially and physically."
Christopher Poole

Our initial discussions lead to some interesting themes, which are written here. The main topics that were chosen to take forward into diorama form were: Contrast, Community, and Industry. Further posts to follow with progress.

Today we did a presentation on dioramas. We looked at the existing perception of what a diorama is, how other artists have conveyed this as a tool for projecting a message and as a piece of art in itself. I presented existing work that I personally produced in undergraduate as examples and we have now set the students to produce their own in response to change in Manchester.

Today we're in the Whitworth again, designing dioramas to illustrate the ideas that we've been talking about earlier in the week. More posts to follow!

Please find a collection of our work at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0eqQDKFYZgfQ3lJX0tMcUNfdWc?usp=sharing

To begin day three of the event, we gave a lecture on changing urban environments. The lecture began with thinking about significance of buildings and related to statutory framework of listed buildings. From this we moved through the different architectural styles, highlighting key features to help the students identify the age of buildings they are looking at.

Focusing down on Manchester, and the change which has occurred here, we discussed the significance of the industrial revolution, the IRA bombing, gentrification and globalisation and the architecture which has come from these events.

This lecture led us on to thinking about the problems which are faced in the modern city and developing themes which can be explored later in the week with reference to the final output of the installation.

These are a selection of the drawings each group produced for our mini presentations today.
We discussed how each group tackled their interpretations of the districts that we visited yesterday:

The first (ancoats / new islington) were struck by the emptiness of the space. It lacked a connection to the communities that lived there. Developments lacked the holistic design that many suburbs still retained. The group suggested that the place was made of 'the developers hand', if they were to fill a box with Ancoats new islington, it would be made of Rebar, and make a space void of people because thats how it made them feel.

The second group (Canal Street / China Town) were interested with the boundaries of space. How the gate of China Town became the centre, rather than the threshold in London's version. Each destination developed organically over time as a space of protection, however they used their own character to put their mark on the space without touching the traditionally Mancunian buildings. We discussed how these spaces were made of the 'Community's hand', and their box would be full of people.

Finally (Northern Quarter) discussed how the space in the northern quarter was layered. The facade, led to a artistic and organic impression. However contrary to that, the reality is much more business driven.
Their space is made by the 'hand of the Brand' Their box would be layered as a result, made of brick or of colour to show the vibrance of the space, the industry of the past and the cold financial priority of their future.

MEET THE FACES OF GROUP 14!!

We really got to know each other today, when we our peers with the techniques that we practiced on Monday.

Yesterday,

We visited the Peoples History Museum to look at the ways in which Artefacts are presented.

Hopefully we're all feeling inspired!! Particularly enjoyed the use of sound, interactive objects and huge artefacts that helped us to understand the way in which Manchester developed as a city of empowerment that really focussed the experience of empowerment and activism.

Next task, each group is looking to their own districts where they will present their findings tomorrow morning. Looking forward to seeing what each group has got!

Second day of events and we have just finished the first part of our tour around Manchester! Starting from the university campus, we via Oxford Road to Castlefield, past the canals and lock where the only detached house in Manchester is still standing. In the background the Beetham tower signals Manchester's changing urban landscape, which is something we want to explore further as a topic for the installation. We also walked past places such as Granada Studios and the old roman ruins of Mancunium. Along the way we observed changes within the urban fabric, and also the weather with everything from snow to sunshine!

Great first day of Events at the Whitworth Gallery! After the general introduction to the Deanna Petherbridge exhibition some epic sketches were produced from our amazing group. Promising start to our final installation that will sit proudly within the gallery :)

Following 'Ladder Training' on Wednesday we are all ready for the event commencing on Monday. As stated in the Programme, we will meet outside the Whitworth Gallery main entrance at 10am. Please bring sketchbooks and drawing equipment with you. We are looking forward to meeting you all and having an exciting two weeks!

Here is an updated Programme/Session plan for 'Changing Urban Environments', including locations and times. If you have any further questions regarding the event, please drop one of us an email. If not, get your pencils sharpened and we hope to see you soon!

One of the preliminary tools for the design of the installation at the Whitworth will be a walk round Manchester City Centre. The key areas and a suggested route for this tour are attached. The intention is to draw inspiration from sketching on route to begin the foundations of our development.

After further discussions with the Whitworth Gallery here is the proposed programme for the event. Over the course of the two weeks there are various exercises, lectures and site visits which aim to develop a critical understanding of 'change' in Manchester in a diverse and interesting format.

Here comes the latest update of the poster with further information on what our event will have to offer!

Suggested locations across Whitworth Gallery for the prospective installation.

See link for further images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fq52rvyn4f1r03s/AADlM4kisSyYuJGvCnDw3X80a?dl=0

We had the opportunity to sit in on a drawing masterclass ran at the Whitworth Gallery. The class was intended for a group of foundation art students centred around communicating ideas on climate change. Deanna Petherbridge's was a focus and the class examined her use of line and word to make graphic commentaries on the wider world and furthermore worked with the School of MACE (School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering) to gain current perspectives on climate change. We felt this would give an interesting insight as to how to structure a masterclass focused around a subject.

The class was as follows:

The intention was for students to develop drawing skills to explore how complex ideas can be represented visually, allowing them to leave with a fresh perspective on the role of drawing.

The day began with warm-up drawing exercises, a 1-minute drawing of the expectations of the day.

Denise Bowler then ran some drawing exercises exploring different mark making exercises to free-up drawing.

We were given a tour of the Deanna Petherbridge Exhibition by Poppy Bowers, a curator at the Whitworth Gallery.

Artist Oliver East then took over the class, giving a presentation about his experience of drawing practice

We then gave our own presentation on the role of drawing in Architecture.

The first drawing activity was then to question; what does climate change look like? A short exercise, to draw the first picture that comes into our heads. We then lay out the drawings and walked around to see similarities and differences

The School of MACE then presented about making the invisible visible through GIS (Geographic Information Systems) climate visualizations.
Elias
Oliver East then continued the drawing class with drawing whilst walking recording architecture and outside recording space by taking us outside and walking across the groups of the gallery.

Students were then asked respond to readings of different texts around climate change such as Psychogeographic writing from Ian Sinclair, Will Self, Bill Drummond or Nick Dunn (A manifesto for the Nocturnal City) and create a list of responses to ‘What does climate change mean to you?’

Oliver East gave the example of his drawing in the rain in Romania in a grave-yard on day that Donald Trump wins the US election.

Students to generated words, and then sketched whilst listening to the following text:

"I came across this eco-park in Doncaster, a fantastic thing. If you went there by car, you were surcharged £5 a head because you were burning up fossil fuels, so everyone parked in the town, which became gridlocked. Nobody went to the site, they put on archery for kids on Saturdays, then abandoned it altogether. One security guard was posted by the perimeter fence. Grass and weeds started coming up. Now it really is ecological because it's become a wilderness. But millions of pounds have gone down the chute.”
Ian Sinclair
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/iain-sinclair-the-olympics-have-destroyed-my-patch-of-london-2304336.html

Drawings were then linked with the intention to be developed into 3D structures.

Examples of sketched produced in the class can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dm1jad4quwo8qpr/AACIzxOIOiT3uA8awljnO8RAa?dl=0

As part of Tuesday Talks, Deanne Petherbridge will be speaking about her interests in the resonance of history in cities and landscapes. The exhibition at the Whitworth has already been advertised as a huge success and hearing Petherbridge speak will help us to further understand the 40 works included in the exhibition, a collection that span her entire career.

If you are at all interested in the work of Deanne Petherbridge, please join us at the lecture on the 17th of January at the Whitworth Gallery from 12:30 - 2pm.

The Tuesday Talks are a series of Inspirational presentations by artists, designers and creative thinkers on the driving forces behind their own work.

The work of Dianne Petherbridge has sparked an interest in the power that drawings have to communicate complex messages, ideas and opinions. As a result the Whitworth Galley have organised a workshop which they have invited us to participate in and also help deliver.

The workshop is a sketching masterclass for A level students from a local college on the 19th January in the Whitworth Gallery. The event will be run by artist Oliver East with short talks given by ourselves, a Building Service Engineer and an Environmentalist, demonstrating the power of visual communication across different disciplines. The collaboration of the different professionals highlights the different techniques, styles, priorities and values of drawings by different people and challenges what the students understand a drawing to represent. The aim of the event is to share expertise, spark curiosity and demonstrate the potential the work of the students could have in communicating messages and information through their work.

Making the invisible visible is the key theme for the workshop with the intention to highlight the power a drawing can have to convey ideas as well as recording or observing. The sketching masterclass includes practical and theoretical elements drawing on the key themes which are present in Petherbridge’s work such as climate change.

The workshop will provide interesting ideas and different viewpoints which can be utilised within our Event in March, encouraging students to consider the power of visual communication and exploring different methods to articulate concepts through different mediums.

The Whitworth Gallery has a multitude of spaces that can house a potential installation. Todays walk identified a series of spaces with potential, these have been documented through photographs and can be seen through the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/prra6hb6z2ai11u/AAAx0k215iiFXiPZ16Dloz_Xa?dl=0

The Gallery is currently displaying exhibited works from Deanne Petherbridge, the artist we wish to work with and Andy Warhol. The photos attempt to show the existing works within the gallery and further show potential spaces.

An interesting feature of the gallery we suggest could be explored is the undersides to various staircases throughout. It should also be stressed that we are also not restricted to the interior as the Gallery has extensive grounds that can also be displayed upon.

A bit more on Deanna Petherbridge…

As the event that we are planning is due to respond to the work of the artist, writer and curator Deanna Petherbridge, we saw it fitting to provide a more detailed introduction to her work.

Deanne Petherbridge is primarily concerned with drawing, and has been involved in promoting the importance of drawing in relation to contemporary art and architecture in a number of ways since the 1960’s. She has written numerous books, articles and catalogues on the subject, and also curated exhibitions and conducted pubic lectures on the same theme. In her book “The Primacy of Drawing: Histories & Theories of Practice” Petherbridge explores the notion of drawing in Western art in a trans-historical context, analysing its relevance to artists from the 15h century through to the contemporary practicians.

Petherbridge’s pieces are predominantly created using pen & ink on drawing paper. It is a difficult medium to work with, as nothing can be erased once the ink has touched the paper. According to the artist herself, this is what makes the act of drawing so exciting. Her motifs are often ambiguous and emotionally charged exploring themes such as industrialisation, colonialism and warfare. They vary from detailed geometrical studies of space to more free explorations. For those who are interested in having a closer look at her work, she is currently exhibiting at the Whitworth Gallery (2nd of December 2016 - 4th of June 2017).

Also, if you’re interested check out this video of Petherbridge explaining her artistic process!

http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/upcomingexhibitions/deannapetherbridge/

Following an inspiring meeting at the Whitworth Gallery, the brief for the event has changed. The installation will now be located within the gallery and will respond to the work of exhibiting artist, Deanne Petherbridge. The event will focus on the interpretation of space, and how that can be represented through sketches, models and interventions ultimately culminated within an exhibition in the galley itself.

Following this development we are going to explore potential funding streams for the intervention and continue to work with the exhibition curator to define the brief further.

Just to let you know, we have been invited to the Withworth Gallery on Thursday to discuss potential collaboration opportunities! The curator of the museum, (Poppy), seems very keen to work with us on the project, and will explain her intentions when we meet up. Exciting times!

Draft Poster:
Using spontaneous interventions we are planning to temporarily energise vacant streets within Manchester's centre. These can take any form, up to the 1st and 2nd years however we will be encouraging the use of Recycled Materials.