Art and Energy are British Art Show 9 Ambassadors!
Art and Energy have long been big fans of Scrapstores, so we’re very excited to announce a new partnership with Plymouth Scrapstore as part of the British Art Show 9 Ambassador programme!
What is BAS9?
British Art Show is a landmark touring exhibition that celebrates the vitality of recent art made in Britain. Organised every five years by Hayward Gallery Touring the exhibition brings the work of artists defining new directions in contemporary art to four cities across the UK. British Art Show 9 has visited Aberdeen, Wolverhampton and Manchester, it’s final location will be Plymouth from 8th October to the 23rd December 2022.
BAS9 was developed at a precarious moment in Britain’s history that has brought politics of identity and nation, concerns of social, racial and environmental justice, and questions of agency to the centre of public consciousness. The artists presented in the exhibition respond in critical ways to this complex context; imagining more hopeful futures and exploring new modes of resistance. It is curated by Irene Aristizábal and Hammad Nasar.
BAS9 ambassadors
Each city has selected a small cohort of local ambassadors to encourage engagement by local communities, spread the word, and add a local perspective on the exhibition. Art and Energy and Plymouth Scrapstore have been successful in their application to work together as ambassadors. This collaboration will see Art and Energy’s Jenny become Artist in residence at the Scrapstore throughout the BAS9 exhibition. As we welcome British Art Show 9 to Plymouth, we invite you to join us in playful creativity, as we make a beautiful window display in Plymouth Scrapstore and explore what art means to each of us
Visiting BAS9 in Manchester
In August Jenny travelled by train to Manchester with some of the other Plymouth ambassadors. Whilst many of the artworks coming to Plymouth will vary from those exhibited in Manchester, it gave us an idea of what to expect, an insight into how the Manchester ambassadors have encouraged wider engagement with the show, a chance to visit new venues, and a great opportunity to meet some of the other inspirational people working on the Plymouth project. Contemporary art isn’t for everyone, it can be controversial, challenging and confusing, but it felt like the BAS9 curators have selected a fantastic variety which will intrigue, amuse and inspire. We can’t wait to see visit BAS9 Plymouth!
Free Workshops
We're inviting you to build and decorate one of 30 solar powered illuminated art galleries which will form a window display in Plymouth Scrapstore during the BAS9 exhibition (then you get to take it home in time for Christmas!). We’re excited to see what you choose to exhibit in yours! Book your place here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bas9-make-a-miniature-gallery-tickets-406076915987
Artist in residence
Jenny will also be popping up in the Scrapstore as artist in residence… we’re not entirely sure what this will look like yet… but we’re excited to see where this inspirational treasure trove of materials will take us, especially when viewed in the context of the BAS9 exhibitions! It will include some creative workshops, sign up here to make your very own solar powered illuminated art gallery!
One of Jenny’s main roles will be to chat with Scrapstore visitors, encouraging them to visit the BAS9 exhibitions and then share their experience. The white-cube world of modern art exhibitions can feel a world away from the busy jumble Scrapstore, but we think there’s lots that each can lend to one another, especially in terms of reassessing the way that we value materials, and the importance of playful risk taking in creativity.
Did you know that Plymouth Scrapstore is just a 2minute stroll from Karst contemporary art gallery, one of the host venues for BAS9? Why not make a trip to visit them both?
