Art / coronavirus
Art and music will come together at the Bristol Beacon
An exhibition brimming with work from the some of the UK’s most innovative underground musicians will come to the Bristol Beacon in 2021.
Super Cool Drawing Machine will be a space for the worlds of art and music to come together, as musicians display their artworks.
The exhibition, which will be held in the Bristol Beacon foyer, was created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and hopes to bring some fun to some of the UK’s music spaces.
is needed now More than ever
Travelling to York, Birkenhead, Margate, Norwich and London, which Bristol the penultimate stop of its tour, Super Cool Drawing Machine will showcase work from a host of UK talent, including saxophonist Shabaka Dawson, drummer and composer Seb Rochford and members of This is the Kit, Mammals and Snapped Ankles.
Musicians from Bristol are also taking part. Francois and the Atlas Mountains, folk musician Rachael Dadd and Japanese artist ICHI, who has made artworks out of found objects he collected along the River Avon, have all contributed artwork.
Bristol’s Francois and the Atlas Mountains have created an animation
“It feels amazing to be able to hold events again in our foyer, after such a long time,” says the Bristol Beacon’s artist director, Todd Wills.
“This tour represents the incredible art that can come out of uncertain times and we’re glad to be able to showcase the amazing creative work of musicians, bringing it to our audiences while we work on how to bring live music back safely.”
The event will be Covid-compliant, with timed entry, track and trace, designated routes, temperature checks and regular cleaning.
Pinhole photography from This is the Kit’s Kate Stables
“Early on during lockdown, afterthe crushing anxiety relating to the collapse of the live events industry, friends, musicians and promoters started talking about the idea of adjusting,” says Super Cool Drawing Machine creator, Sam Tucker. “We were prepared to adjust, but how?
“Every time I thought about Super Cool Drawing Machine, another musician/artist sprang to mind. And the more I mentioned it, the more suggestions came back,beginning a discovery process and an open exchange of ideas and fun conversations.
“It has been incredible to see the visual manifestations of some of my favourite musicians’ creativity, and I hope that others will feel the same.”
Visitors can expect to see paintings, photography, drawings, ceramics, digital instillations, recycled arts, sculpture and furniture, all created by those with a deep connection to music. There will also be a gift shop. The exhibition will run from Thursday, January 14 to Sunday, January 17 2021.
Cate Le Bon also features in the exhibition
“There is a lot of un-presented artwork made by shy musicians, and now is a great time to get that stuff out to the curious,” Sam says.
“We just ask that the visual arts world accept these musicians into the fold for a bit, just while we all figure out what’s going on.”
All images: Plaster
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