Baltic Exhibiton - Newcastle

[mido]

sorry, not sure if there is already a thread about this? Couldn't find it.

Anyway, despite the controversy over the title etc, Banksy is listed in the publicity blurb as being involved in the 'Spank The Monkey' exhibition at the Baltic in Newcastle.

27th Sept 2006 - 7 jan 2007

[mido]

there is some info on the baltic website.... although it often requires a big download...

www.balticmill.com/whatsOn/future/ExhibitionDetail.php?exhibID=53

the sept onwards catalogue gives a few good pages on it. banksy is clearly named on it, along with Os Gemeos, Miss van, faile, shepard fairey etc

Amazon said the catalogue is due for release on 1st Sept, so I thought that might be the first sight we can get of what is there - but they emailed me today saying it will take another 4-6 weeks to delivery!!!

good job Eine doesn't seem to be involved - not sure he would be welcomed back in Newcastle - LOL!

[mido]

Amazon Synopsis

"Spank The Monkey" is an international survey of recent contemporary urban art by independent curator Pedro Alonzo and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art Director Peter Doroshenko. Starring both artists from the established art arena and those from the 'street art' scene, who have created an art system of their own, far removed from that of the museum and gallery circuit, it addresses the parallels between these two functioning and often entirely separate art worlds. Presenting new and recent works by twenty-two artists who share a remarkable creative vitality and innovative spirit, the accompanying essays examine the works and place them in a broad context of urban and street art. "Spank The Monkey' brings together established art world figures and heroes from the Street scene, ranging from works by Barry Mc Gee and iconic street artist Miss Van, through to Japanese graphic designers Groovisions, a billboard campaign by Shepard Fairey, a sculpture and painting installation by graffiti artists Os Gemeos, Swoon's signature wheat paste ups in a uniquely designed cityscape and urban interventions by Banksy. Featuring painting, sculpture, drawing, graphic design, installation, illustration and photography, they evoke a distinctive and irreverent vision informed as much by independent music, street culture, graphic design, manga comics, skateboarding, surfing, fashion and politics, as by the conventions of the contemporary art world. This book harnesses the energy of some of the most significant artists to emerge from this new international sub-culture. Featured artists include: Chiho Aoshima, Banksy, Dzine, Dr. Lakra, Faile, Freaks Gallery, Shepard Fairey, Groovisions, Invader, Kozyndan, Barry McGee, Ryan McGinness, Takashi Murakami, Miss Van, Neasden Control Centre, Os Gemeos, David Shrigley, Natasha Struchkova, Swoon, Aya Takano, Ed Templeton, and Yasumasa Yonehara.

[HowAboutNo]

mido said:

good job Eine doesn't seem to be involved - not sure he would be welcomed back in Newcastle - LOL!

Why's that then? What happened?

[ratpack]

Does anyone know if the Baltic show is going to be worth heading up to and is there anything worthwhile picking up while I am there?

[AoT Framing]

ratpack said:

Does anyone know if the Baltic show is going to be worth heading up to and is there anything worthwhile picking up while I am there?

I'm trying to find out the same thing, are there works for sale? Flights are £69 return from gatwick...but you may have to wait all day at the airport. Just make sure you don't carry on a backpack or have a beard.

[ratpack]

I do have a beard and my rucksack is camo. I'm never going to make it through!

Please mail me if you find anymore info.

[mido]

I have train tickets booked - £10 each way from London! - and a cheap room for the night :-)

will also hopefully take some photos at angel of the north, souter lighthouse, and Newcastle graf etc...

[Daniel Silk]

www.goodgalleryguide.com/newsitem.aspx?id=111

Watch Out Banksy's About - 27/10/2006

Work by the UK’s most eminent “guerilla” artist, Banksy, is due to appear on Newcastle’s Quayside within the next few days.

Rumours suggest that the now infamous crumpled red telephone box, that originally appeared in Soho - before being promptly removed by Westminster council, will be installed as part of the Spank the Monkey exhibition, which is currently running across Newcastle and Gateshead – featuring work by some of the world’s greatest urban artists.

Banksy is famed for his undercover approach to his artwork, which often makes strong political statements. Starting out as a graffiti artist, he moved into stencil work and has left his mark in places as far afield as LA and the West Bank.

In recent years, Banksy has moved into the realm of urban intervention, including ‘street-installations’, such as his lifesize model of a Guantanamo Bay detainee that was installed at Disneyland.

The Phone Box that may or may not appear on Newcastle's Quayside appears to represent the death of the British identity, however BT released a statement following its initial emergence in Soho suggesting it was a "stunning visual comment on BT's transformation from an old-fashioned telecommunications company into a modern communications services provider."

The Spank the Monkey exhibition began across Newcastle and Gateshead at the end of September and features work by art world superstar Takashi Muramaki, Japanese graphic designers Groovisions and iconic street artist Invader.

To date there have been a number of appearances of street art across Newcastle and Gateshead, including Graffiti art at Howden Metro Station by artist Barry McGhee and at Jesmond Metro Station by Shepherd Fairey and FAILE.

The exhibition has been curated by the Baltic, in association with freelance curator Pedro Alonzo, who is currently based in San Diego. He has worked and organisaed exhibitions with artists such as Ryan Mcginness, Rivane Neuenschwander and Miguel Calderon.

So if you are out and about around Newcastle and Gateshead then perhaps it's time to pay a bit more attention to your surroundings. You never know what's going to pop up during your morning commute.

Spank the Monkey runs until January 7th.

[andrewd]

www.timesonline.co.uk/article10,,2101-2465587.html

seems they didn't really like it

[andrewd]

oops the link doesn't work but you can see it on the Sunday Times web site and search for Spank the Monkey
( bit late to be reviewing it now but also deals with a newer Baltic exhibition )

[mido]

www.graphotism.com/benchDetails.asp?bid=619

THE G WORD

BALTIC will welcome some of the most innovative and dynamic graffiti artists working in the North East today into the gallery in January as it presents The G Word.

Building on the success of Spank the Monkey, BALTIC’s recent exhibition of international urban art, The G Word will showcase the work of 13 artists and will highlight different styles and personal takes on graffiti.

Developed with New Line Graffiti, the show will run from 9 to 21 January on Level 1 and will host work from a cross section of regional writers. New drawings and schemes will be used alongside film projections and an audio soundtrack to create an environment drawn from urban locations which will fill the entire exhibition space.

A spokesperson from New Line Graffiti says: ‘This is very much a graffiti exhibition, not street, urban or aerosol art. Graffiti is an uncompromising art form and one which inspires much debate. The G Word will allow people to see this work first hand outside its usual setting and engage with this energetic and vibrant scene.’

A public discussion exploring the issues surrounding graffiti and street art will take place on 18 January. The panel will include speakers from Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council, University of Northumbria, BALTIC and New Line Graffiti as well as graffiti artists from the region.

Peter Doroshenko, BALTIC Director says: ‘We are excited to welcome these artists to BALTIC. The G word will allow them to work within the gallery setting to showcase their work and will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to see this work in a different context. At the same time, it will provide a platform for further debate on this highly topical issue.’

[Curley]

I went to Spank the Monkey whilst up north at Xmas. It was ok.
Was more fun watching my parents try to make head nor tail of it all.





And this was close by...


Excuse the crap picture of Custard Pie but no pix allowed and had to do it on the sly.