Exhibition Preview
BORN AFTER 1924
EXHIBITION PREVIEW: Thursday 17 February, 6-9pm – All Welcome!
EXHIBITION CONTINUES: 18 February to 10 April 2011

Tim Noble & Sue Webster Gregor Schneider

Ingo Gerken and invited artists: Matti Isan Blind, Madeleine Boschan, Rainer Ganahl, Antonia Low, Tim Noble & Sue Webster, Reto Pulfer, Gregor Schneider.

Castlefield Gallery is proud to present BORN AFTER 1924 project by German artist Ingo Gerken. Interpreting the contemporary legacy of the Merzbarn[1] and Kurt Schwitters in the UK, Castlefield Gallery has invited Gerken to respond to Schwitters’ Merz Magazine (issue 8/9) of 1924 called Nasci[2]. The theme of the magazine, Nasci, meaning ‘being born’ or ‘becoming’, was co-edited with Russian Constructivist artist El Lissitzky[3] forging an alliance of Dadaist and Constructivist ideals and included reproductions and texts by Vladimir Tatlin, George Braque, Man Ray, Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich and Mies van der Rohe among others.

The exhibition will become a site-specific and physical manifestation of Gerken’s collages which will include other invited artists, from the UK and Germany as ‘articulations’ or ‘punctuations’ of his own practice thereby resulting in a group show.

[1] Kurt Schwitters’ (1887–1948) Merzbarn is located in a remote woodland in Cumbria and stands much as he left it, incomplete after his death in 1948. After considerable discussions about its future which involved the British pop artist Richard Hamilton, the surviving Merzbarn wall was removed for safe keeping and presented by its owner, Harry Pierce to Newcastle University Hatton Gallery in 1965, where it is now on public view. The Merzbarn building itself still survives and contains evidence of Schwitters’ original working methods and materials.
[2] Nasci is the Latin word for ‘nature’, ‘being born’ and ‘becoming’.
[3] El Lissitzky (1890 – 1941) was a Russian Constructivist designer and artist.

For further information please go to http://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk

BORN AFTER 1924 is part of MERZMAN. MERZMAN is a city wide programme of exhibitions, performance and public events across Manchester exploring the contemporary legacy of Kurt Schwitters in North West England, coordinated by the Littoral Art’s Trust.

BORN AFTER 1924 is kindly supported by ATLAS Bar & Café; Manchester, Barefoot Wine’s and Mint Hotel; Manchester. Please join us for the BORN AFTER 1924 after preview party at ATLAS Bar & Café from 9pm, Thu 17 Feb 2011.
BORN AFTER 1924 visitors receive 10% of their total bill when ordering food at ATLAS Bar & Café.

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TALK
Tues 15 Feb, 11am
Ingo Gerken Talk

Location: The Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
Coinciding with his exhibition BORN AFTER 1924 at Castlefield Gallery, Ingo Gerken will talk about this project and his wider practice.
FREE/BOOKING NOT REQUIRED

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PARTY & LIVE PERFORMANCE
Thurs 17 Feb, 9pm
BORN AFTER 1924 Launch Party & Mini MERZ Kabaret

Location: Atlas Bar, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LY
Celebrate the launch of BORN AFTER 1924 and Merzman with a live performance of Schwitters’ Ursonate sound poem by musician/composer Florian Kaplik and guests.

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TALK
Thurs 10 Mar, 6pm
Ian Hunter and artist David Medalla in conversation

The Spirit of MERZ: an interview and presentation by international artist David Medalla with Ian Hunter Director, Littoral Trust. http://www.merzman.co.uk

More on: David Medalla was born in Manila, Philippines in 1942 and is a pioneer of kinetic, land and live art. His work ranges from sculpture and kinetic art to painting, installation and performance art. He lives and works in London, New York and Paris.
More on: Littoral is a non-profit arts trust which promotes new creative partnerships, critical art practices and cultural strategies in response to issues about social, environmental and economic change.

FREE EVENT /BOOKING RECOMMENDED To book please call the gallery on 0161 832 8034 or email events@castlefieldgallery.co.uk with your contact details and number of places.

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TALK
Fri 18 Mar, 2pm
Artists’ Survival: Interview with Billy Childish

Ian Hunter Director, Littoral Trust will interview artist, poet, photographer and musician Billy Childish on working and living as an artist today. http://www.merzman.co.uk

More on: Billy Childish is a cult figure in America, Europe and Japan. A poet, musician and painter in 1999 Childish alongside Charles Thomson founded the Stuckism movement.