Continuing in the yearly tradition, I've picked out a few items (after the jump) from the Architecture Week events list for the West Midlands. Work your way through as many as you can and then come and tell me about them when you visit next Friday! Last year's podcasts and Google Earth route is still available to help you find your way to the office.
Dream Spaces
(June 20, 21, 22, 23,) A week of screenings and talks to explore the imaginative worlds suggested by the miniature works of acclaimed US artists Jennifer and Kevin McCoy. Dream Spaces invites contributors including Sadie Plant and Kevin McCoy to explore architecture, philosophy and memory through film. Venue: VIVID 140 Heath mill lane birmingham B9 4AR Bus Routes: 4, 5, 6, 15, 17, 37,56,57,58,60,97, Trains: Birmingham New St, Birmingham Moor St Underground/Metro: - Trams: - Other: A45,A41, A38Contact: Yasmeen Baig-clifford VIVID www.vivid.org.uk
City of the Immortals
(June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,) The City of the Immortals is based upon the Jorges Luis Borges short story ‘The Immortal’. In a narrative series of photographic images, the fictional city Borges describes is reconstructed for the camera to represent an unbuilt, literary environment. The exhibition is supported by MADE. Venue: MADE 122 Fazeley Street, Birmingham B5 5RS Trains: Moor StreetContact: Michelle Lord Michelle Lord
Future Ruins
(June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,) Inspired by author JG Ballard’s mid-period novels, ‘Future Ruins’ connects the remaining architectural examples of Birmingham's concrete past with Ballard’s vision of the contemporary landscape, his prophetic views on Brutalist architecture and the technological demise of the urban environment. Venue: The Birmingham and Midland Institute Margaret Street Birmingham B3 3BS Trains: Snow HillContact: Michelle Lord Michelle Lord
Stuff and Nonsense
(June 22, 23, 24,) A mysterious archival installation - rummage by torchlight through the darkness of our unwritten history exploring stuff and nonsense in a series of ‘Posterity Cabinets’ or delve into the ‘Chaotic Cluster’ of an absurdist database. View a short film called ‘Museum’ evoking the site’s history. Venue: Former Sciene and Industry Museum 144 Newhall Street Birmingham B3Contact: Anna Cook Fierce Earth
Day Out at the Festival of Xtreme Building
(June 16,) Join us as we launch Architecture Week with our friends at the Festival of Xtreme Building, with a day of events for all the family: installations, art commissions and performance events to take in. Check out www.festival-xtremebuilding.org.uk Venue: Festival of Xtreme Building Site Masshouse Circus Birmingham B5Contact: Anna Cook Fierce Earth
Architectural Walk of neglected buildings in Digbeth and Deritend
(June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,) These historic parts of the city, settled in Medieval times, hold many interesting buildings. We invite you to take a stroll down the back streets of this fascinating district, and imagine what it might be like if these tired old buildings could be rejuvinated and onces again buzzing with life. Venue: Various B12Contact: Joe Holyoak Joe Holyoak, Architects
Preview Tours of Town Hall Birmingham
(June 18, 20,) Town Hall is currently undergoing a £35m renovation and we are hugely fortunate to be able to offer two exclusive preview tours of the new building. Be one of the first people to step inside this sublime building, set to be one of the country’s most iconic concert halls. Venue: Town Hall Birmingham Victoria Square Birmingham B1Contact: Birmingham Box Office
Architecture Week Lecture
(June) Tom Bloxham is group chairman and co-founder of Urban Splash, and a pioneer of urban renewal in Manchester and Liverpool. His company Urban Splash is one of the most successful in the country, and has won many awards. Projects in the West Mids include buildings such as Fort Dunlop and The Rotunda. Venue: CBSO Centre Berkley Street Birmingham B1Contact: Fierce Earth
School of Architecture Summer Graduate Shows
(June 21, 22, 23,) A chance to see the work of some of the most innovative Architecture graduates from Birmingham’s School of Architecture. Venue: BIAD Gosta Green Corporation Street Birmingham B4 7DXContact: Robin Dobson New Generation Arts Festival
Stay Away From Lonely Places
(June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,) Ever had suspicions about what really happens behind the doors of the city? Find out with this part fact, part fantasy downloadable self-guided audio tour - from award – winning B'ham comedienne Janice Connolly, aka Mrs Barbara Nice, and NY storyteller and artist, Nicole Blackman. Venue: Fierce TV Fierce TV Website Birmingham B18 6NFContact: Anna Cook Fierce Earth
BBC/RIBA Radio Debate
(June 19,) Broadcasts to raise the profile of architecture in the region, following on from the David Dimbleby series “How We Built Britainâ€. The debate focuses on current projects and issues in the Birmingham area. Panellists include Glenn Howells, Professor Carl Chinn, Dr Simon Murphy and Terry Grimley. Venue: BBC WM The Mailbox Birmingham B1Contact: BBC Action Line