Rambo II + III

Channelling Andy...The End

2006-02-03T11:42:00.000Z

The Channelling Andy piece finished on February 1 2006. After five days we had six small canvases and 1 very large joint canvas. Luckily many people came to help out cutting bags and knitting.

We would like to thank Ken for choosing to work with us, we really enjoyed the experience. Cheers Ken.

Pictured below are participants Matthew Bamber, Andrew Hardman, Brigid Marsh and Stephen Maxwell, Angela Cresswell, Rob Knifton and Alison Dibbs; together with vistors and helpers.

Thoughts on Gay Marriage?

2006-01-28T09:29:00.000Z

...have you noticed how boring homosexuality is in Holland and in France and in the US? It’s not like thye’ve freed homosexual expression – they’ve shaped it to make it socially palatable and decent, and it’s all regulated and there’s no spontaneity left. They’ve integrated the homosexual world into the most boring part of the normal world.

Bruce Benderson in Butt Magazine (12).

Mug-Shots

2006-01-27T14:32:00.000Z

The Hat

2006-01-27T14:05:00.000Z

During All We Were Saying... at apartment we were asked what we were knitting (and why). It was a hat. Matt made a pom-pom.

We chose to knit during the piece as our comment on the Civil Partnerships Bill's affect on public perceptions of homosexuality.

AH + MB

Channeling Andy...

2006-01-20T09:43:00.000Z

We will be working with Ken Chu again on the 27th Jan to 1st Feb at The Chinese Art Centre, Manchester. Yesterday we met with all the artists involved for a trial run.

CHANNELING ANDY
A process-based work by Ken Chu
Breathe Resident Artist Open Studio

Channeling Andy will take form with the artist working with a group of knitters in creating a series of paintings. I do not knit, but am interested in developing a project with others who have this skill. Recycling plastic carrier bags as the yarn, the knitting circle (including men) will knit sleeves to fit over monochromatic paintings. Participants are Matthew Bamber, Andrew Hardman, and Brigid Marsh. The project will also engage each of the their personal and professional networks in the process. All activities will take place in the Breathe studio, and open to the public.

My artwork investigates human economies—as in Canadian designer Bruce Mau’s definition of economy, i.e. systems of exchange. Channeling recognizes that artists are the best resources for each other, and will utilize the social economies of the knitters in rendering this project.

Each participant is asked to invite family, friends, and colleagues to assist with shredding plastic bags, winding and balling hanks, and documenting with pictures, videos, sketches, paintings, and written material as well as to engage in conversation, bring baked goods, have tea, bare witness, etc. A computer will be available for downloading the digital material for public browsing during each session. The participants will knit individual smaller works, and collaborate on a large format piece. Audiences and visitors are welcomed join in.

Channeling Andy references the social economy that evolved from Andy Warhol’s Factory; and how this multidisciplinary network was able to invent and sustain its myth and legacy. Pop and Conceptualism played a key role in shaping contemporary art. My work is informed by this as well as artists who have created work in or with communities, i.e., Mierle Laderman Ukeles, Rick Lowe, Lily Yeh, Ricardo Dominguez, British artists Lisa Cheung, and Apartment (Hilary Jack and Paul Harfleet); and those whose work makes heroic the ordinary, i.e., Pepón Osorio, David Hammons, etc. These artists have made radical, politically driven adaptations in their art form in order to challenge preconceived ideas about social structure. My work is also impacted by formal elements in the paintings of Marsden Hartley, the films of Yasujiro Ozu, the textiles of Knoll Designs, and the organic sonic collaborations of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Top, Brigid and Ken; Middle, Alison, Steven and Angela and Bottom, Rob and Angela

A View from the Bed

2005-12-23T09:27:00.000Z

Whilst we were knitting we managed to take some sneaky pictures. Again, thanks to everyone who came to view the piece. Here are a few of our visitors.

All We Were Saying...

2005-12-22T07:19:00.000Z

This project was carried out on 21 December 2005 in apartment, Manchester to mark the advent of Civil Partnership laws in the UK. We worked with Ken Chu, the resident artist at The Chinese Art Centre. Ken is shown below with Hillary and Paul from apartment and Dave from the Chinese Arts Centre.

For more information, please visit apartment's site at http://www.apartmentmanchester.blogspot.com/