Kevin Hunt
/ Temporary Residence Artist in Focus / Friday 1st February
Find out more about Kevin Hunt’s sculpture which features in our current exhibition Temporary Residence until 24 February 2013.
I construct sculpture using found, redundant objects that often go unnoticed, particularly furniture that is reconfigured into increasingly minimal works, either balanced or propped precariously. Placed in fragile equilibrium, these structures are further destabilised through transformative processes such as burning and saturating in ink. By irreversibly altering these things and simultaneously raising their status to art, the work attempts to question what it is to be an object in the world and how it comes to exist as sculpture.
Everything’s coming up poetry
/ Thresholds and Walking with Women / Wednesday 23rd January
The last few days have been a feast of poetry for Kettle’s Yard. On Friday, the amazing poet Jackie Kay made her initial visit to us to plan her residency as part of the
Thresholds
project (each University of Cambridge Museum has a poet in residence for two weeks and will be running young people’s workshops and giving talks – go to
www.thresholds.org.uk
for more information). It was a total treat to show Jackie around the house and collection. As you would expect of a poet, her use of language to capture her first responses to the artworks and objects was thrilling. We are very much looking forward to hosting her during the half term in February and for a second week in March – she will be co-leading a young people’s project with artist Filipa Pereira-Stubbs.
On Monday night, I was lucky enough to attend the launch of Walking with Women – an evening of poetry readings by an incredibly talented group of poets. The Walking with Women tour was devised by Shape East’s Learning and Participation Coordinator, Hollie McNish, in association with poetry organisation
Page to Performance
. The tour aims to engage new audiences with the built environment by combining architecture, spoken word, illustration and history and provides an imaginative guide to the often-forgotten female tales locked within the city’s buildings and public spaces. Included in the tour is a fabulous poem about Helen Ede, written by Hollie. For more information click
here
. You will never look at the lemon the same way again…
Temporary Residence
/ First look / Monday 21st January
Temporary Residence opened on Friday 11 January with a packed gallery of visitors eager to get a first look at the exhibition and to see a performance of Prince Volume by artist, Iain Paxon.
The excitement and support in Cambridge for its flourishing art scene was noted by Ruthie Collins in her
article in the Guardian
, and indeed this fantastic opening event really reflected the support in Cambridge for its art spaces and especially toward such collaborative projects. The exhibition runs until 24 February 2013 and we have a great array of events programmed around it. Find out more
here
.
Temporary Residence is accompanied by a wonderful essay, ‘The Power of Artists’ by Chris Brown. You can pick up a copy at the exhibition or read it online
here
, AND for a sneak peek at the show you can see some exhibition shots on our
Flickr
page.
Aid & Abet: an introduction
/ Video / Monday 14th January
Artist and co-founder of Aid & Abet, David Kefford, speaks about the artist run space in Cambridge and about plans for Temporary Residence at Kettle’s Yard.
You can find out more about Aid & Abet by visiting their website
www.aidandabet.co.uk
A new plan for Kettle’s Yard
/ Director's blog / Monday 14th January
I want to tell you about a new plan for
Kettle’s Yard
.
In 2011 we were awarded £2.32m by the
Heritage Lottery Fund
to create a much needed Education Wing for Kettle’s Yard. Trusts and Foundations and many individuals also very generously provided support. During 2012 we had to reschedule the building work due to technical difficulties. In this period we looked again at our options and decided that we could make further significant improvements to Kettle’s Yard – and that it would make sense to undertake a single, larger scheme which would fulfill all our ambitions.
The Education Wing will be a great enhancement, transforming our work with schools, groups and individuals. Our new plan is for the Education Wing to be complemented by beautifully designed, sustainable exhibition galleries and greatly improved services for visitors including a cafe on the ground floor.
How will this larger plan be paid for?
Arts Council England
have a capital investment programme to which we can apply. Their fund is focused on the refurbishment of arts spaces undertaken in such a way as to increase financial resilience. I believe our plans would do exactly that. Grouped around the Kettle’s Yard House, which would not be altered, renewed galleries could attract the best artists to Cambridge and an entrance space and cafe will encourage greater community involvement. The design will enable us to welcome new visitors and increase earned income through the shop, cafe and hires. The funding we have already received and our aims for the project will increase the likelihood of success.
Our new capital target is £8m and we will be calling upon the further support and generosity of trusts, foundations and individuals in the coming years. We hope to be able to celebrate the end of the building programme and a renewed Kettle’s Yard by 2016, the fiftieth anniversary of the gift of the collection to the University of Cambridge.
While we develop the new plan we will continue to offer an exciting
programme
of exhibitions, concerts and educational activities. We are very much open!
I want to keep everyone who cares about Kettle’s Yard informed as the new plan progresses. We will have some drawings and images we can share in the new year. Thank you for your interest and support for what we do. It is greatly appreciated.
University of Cambridge Museums
/ Connecting Collections / Friday 11th January
Kettle’s Yard
is delighted to be one of the eight museums that make up the
University of Cambridge Museums
(UCM) which is collectively an
Arts Council England
Major Partner Museum. We are one of sixteen museum services to have successfully bid in open competition for a share of £20m to be used between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2015. We have called the programme Connecting Collections to reflect the twin aspirations of connecting with our audiences, and connecting with each other across museums. There is a brand new
UCM blog
, with lots of news about Connecting Collections:
http://camunivmuseums.wordpress.com/
We are very excited about two current projects in the Connecting Collections strand. Firstly, we can’t wait to start working with Jackie Kay, the poet assigned to Kettle’s Yard as part of Thresholds. Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate selected poets to work with each of the University of Cambridge Museums. Get to know more about Jackie Kay
here
where you can listen to an interview with her.
Keep up to date with the Thresholds project on the
website
which is growing all the time.
The second project we are developing at the moment is House Guests. The seven Directors of the other university museums have been invited to select a work from their collection in collaboration with Kettle’s Yard Artist Fellow
Jeremy Millar
. The objects will be displayed in the House at Kettle’s Yard from the end of March. As part of this project we are working with students from the Critical Writing Programme at the
Royal College of Arts
.
Over the summer a group of young people participated in the Kettle’s Yard youth programme as part of the
plus tate
learning network.
Working with artist Lyndall Phelps and assistant education officer Rosie O’Donovan, the group spent time in the gallery making artwork in response to objects, exhibits and other artists’ work. They made art collectively as well as working on their own pieces and ideas. The project culminated in a display of their work shown across the Kettle’s Yard site.
Over the six sessions, the group interviewed Kettle’s Yard Director Andrew Nairne, met Curator Lizzie Fisher and had a crit with exhibiting artist
Matthew Darbyshire
as well as visit
Wysing Arts Centre
to meet their young people’s group at the Wysing Music Festival.
Throughout the programme, the group’s feedback, comments and preferences shaped the way the programme progressed and their thinking will help Kettle’s Yard staff shape future programming for young people.
The Kettle’s Yard team want to keep the group going and have put a few more dates in the diary for young people, aged 14-18, to meet and make art. If you, or someone you know, thinks they might like to join the group or wants more information, please get in touch:
Rosie O’Donovan
Upcoming dates:
Saturday 13 October 1-4pm
Saturday 17 November 1-4pm
Saturday 15 December 1-4pm
It’s the first
CASTLE HILL OPEN DAY
! Saturday 22 September, 2012, 12-5pm, all day free event
CAMBRIDGE & COUNTY FOLK MUSEUMCASTLE MOUNDKETTLE’S YARDST GILES’ CHURCH ST PETER’S CHURCH
Highlights include free entry to all attractions, free family friendly talks, tours and activities led by some of the best local experts, music and the unveiling of a blue plaque for Jim Ede, founder of Kettle’s Yard by the Deputy Mayor of Cambridge.
Five historic and cultural venues in the unique Castle Hill area of Cambridge are joining forces to present the first ever Castle Hill Open Day. Packed with activities, talks, tours, music, family drop in activities, refreshments and picnic areas. There is something for everyone to enjoy. The day will culminate in the unveiling of a Blue Plaque for Jim Ede, founder of Kettle’s Yard by Deputy Mayor Councillor Paul Saunders.
All venues will be free to visit for the day including the two unique collections at the Folk Museum (normally has an admission fee) and Kettle’s Yard, the historic church of St Peter’s with an art installation by Lorna Macintyre, St Giles’ Church and Castle Mound.
Andrew Nairne, Director of Kettle’s Yard said
Castle Hill is a beautiful and historic part of Cambridge. We are delighted, alongside our partners at the Folk Museum, St Peter’s and St Giles’ churches and Castle Mound, to present the first ever Castle Hill Open Day. By opening our doors to all we hope to welcome in new visitors as well as old friends. From music to contemporary art and Roman Cambridge to social history there’s a rich variety of attractions and events on offer. We hope whole families will come and spend the day here – bring a picnic (we have a wet weather option!), explore the venues and collections and enjoy everything on offer. We want to celebrate the variety of history, heritage and art in this corner of the city – please come and join us.
History:
The Castle Hill area of Cambridge is where the city began in Roman times. The Roman city of Duroliponte was located in this area and there is even evidence of some pre-Roman activity. The 17th Century timber framedbuilding that contains the wonderful and varied collections of the Folk Museum is next to Kettle’s Yard, itself a beautiful building that houses one of the UK’s most remarkable collections of 20th century art. Opposite Kettle’s Yard is St Peter’s, a simple, tiny church with an elegant spire. Originally built in the 11th Century and with Roman tiles in its walls, it is now cared for by the
Churches Conservation Trust
. On the other side of Castle Street is St Giles’ an active church with a history going back to 1092. A short walk up the road is Castle Mound, the site of Cambridge Castle which played an important role in the Civil War, refortified by Oliver Cromwell in 1642. It is now cared for by Cambridgeshire County Council. Returning to the present day, the Folk Museum and Kettle’s Yard run lively programmes of events relating to social history and to contemporary and modern art.
On the day:
Events will run throughout the day with both timed and drop in activities. The Open Day will begin with an opening prayer in St Peter’s Church by Reverend Dr Janet Bunker and music by Clare Finnimore, principal violist of
Britten Sinfonia
.
Confirmed events include the following.
Allan Brigham
, famous local historian, Blue Badge Guide and former road sweeper will give tours of the area and up Castle Mound. Peter Aiers, Head of Regeneration at the
Churches Conservation Trust
and Honor Ridout, Blue Badge Guide and local historian will speak about
St Peter’s Church
. Roman Cambridge will be explored in talks by Alison Dickens of the
Cambridge Archaeological Unit
, Cambridge University. There will be a variety of drop-in family activities led by artists from Irregular Circle. The archivist at Kettle’s Yard, Dr Claire Daunton will be on hand in the house with a selection of letters from the
archive
for visitors to look at. Artist Lorna Macintyre whose work Nocturne is currently on display in St Peter’s Church will be in conversation with Kettle’s Yard curator Lizzie Fisher.
Editors Notes
In the evening:
Unveiling of a Blue Plaque for Jim Ede, founder of Kettle’s Yard From 5.45pm – short speeches by John Durrant, Chairman of the Cambridge Blue Plaque Committee and Duncan Robinson, Master of Magdalene College, Chairman of the Folk Museum and friend of Jim Ede. Deputy Mayor, Cllr Paul Saunders will unveil the plaque.
The full schedule will be available here: http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/openday/
The Open Day is supported by
Tees Solicitors
.
For images, to arrange interviews and for further information please contact Susie Biller,
, tel
Watch Associate Artist Matei Bejenaru speak about preparations for his work currently on show at Kettle’s Yard, in the gallery until 23 September, plus plans for future projects.
Young Carers
/ Summer in 3D / Monday 3rd September
Every year, Kettle’s Yard joins up with Centre 33 Young Carers’ Project and at least two other University of Cambridge museums to deliver a series of workshops to a self-selecting group of young people.
This year, we worked with the Museum of Zoology and the Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology (both veterans of previous young carers’ art projects). Artist Bethany Mitchell led an intensive four days of creative workshops with a dedicated group of budding artists.
We explored all three collections, getting an introduction from the education staff at each place. The theme of scale was the springboard for a series of making activities – using wire, string, stickers and cellophane. We sketched, took notes and photographed as part of our examination of the selected objects.
We took our collected notes and ideas into the education room at Kettle’s Yard and created wire and paper sculptures, mashing up what we had seen over the previous couple of days to create a Museum of the Imagination. Everyone wrote an extended label for their artwork, providing an imaginative title, date, location and description. ‘Timmy’, for example, is part-man, part-whale (Homo-orcious) and has been extinct for millions of years. The description for Timmy reads: They had gold 45 million years ago. Went extinct because they were over confident.
The Museum of the Imagination is a surprising, creative, funny exhibition that is touring all three venues – come see it for yourself.
Matthew Darbyshire speaks about his preparations for the Associate Artists show at Kettle’s Yard. See his work alongside Matei Bejenaru, Lorna Macintyre and Jeremy Millar in the gallery until 23 September 2012.
Wednesday Club
/ Film: 'On Becoming' / Friday 10th August
‘On Becoming’ was filmed throughout the 2012 Spring Term of Wednesday Club. The final film provided a backdrop to a live performance for friends and family during the end of term session. The group looked at the sculptures and drawings of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and took inspiration to make works that transformed people into animals.
A big thank you to artists Alex Hirtzel & Filipa Pereira-Stubbs and all the keen Wednesday Club participants. You can see a short taster version of the film as well as the extended version below.
Space Makers
/ My favourite place at Kettle's Yard / Tuesday 7th August
We are half way through a two-year architecture project with two local schools. A class from St Mary’s Primary School, St Neots, and Comberton Village College are each working with an artist to explore the architecture and collection at Kettle’s Yard, the surrounding built environment and the process of making buildings. This project has been inspired by our site development project and is generously funded by the
Heritage Lottery Fund
.
Janet King, the Year 5 class teacher at St Mary’s, has kindly sent through some wonderful observations written by the pupils as part of a literacy exercise to re-design our What’s On leaflet. We loved their comments and hope you enjoy these excerpts too -
“My favourite place in Kettle’s Yard is the cottage first floor sitting room. When I stand in the middle and look around I see artwork everywhere. Some recognisable, some not. Some new, some old. And some that you wouldn’t realise is art. There’s a cupboard full of beautiful ceramics and two grey armchairs where I imagine Helen and Jim would have sat… This place really makes me think about real art.
”
“My favourite place in Kettle’s Yard is the cottages attic. When I sit here, I can see lots of pictures. This place makes me feel like I’m in heaven.”
“This place makes me feel like I could be an artist and it makes me happy and I like that I can work at Kettle’s Yard.”
“When I sit on the chair near the table, I see a spiral made of pebbles. The pebbles in the middle are huge and they get smaller as they go around. The stones make me feel like I’m spinning round and round. When I’m at the house it makes me feel like I’m at home because of the furniture and all the art work. I could just sit here and feel like home.”
“When you come to Kettle’s Yard you don’t pay a penny. And there are books and pencils, rubbers and leaflets to sell to you. “Everyone is welcome” if you like majestic models and dramatic drawings.”
“I think the best bit of art is a lemon on a silver plate. Just simply simple.”
