Tuesday 14 July, 7pm - 9.30pm at The Mining Institute, Central Newcastle
In August 2014, visual
artist Matt Stokes began a year long residency with Great North Run Culture, as
part of their mammoth year of culture to celebrate GNR Million: the one millionth
finish of the Great North Run. Spanning autumn 2014 to autumn 2015, the series
of events, art exhibitions, art works and community programmes by Great North
Run Culture is designed to honour the north east; its people, its heritage and
its future.
As artist in residence,
Matt Stokes had an integral role to play in developing a piece of work of his
choosing, that would represent ordinary people and their extraordinary
achievements.
For twelve months, he researched
the heritage of Tyneside, particularly exploring the communities and pastimes
that emerged from the late 1800s. Forming part of a wider exhibition entitled
Great North Greats, Stokes paid careful attention to the people of the north
east and how they have shaped the region we know and love today, with the ultimate desire to create a film entitled Objects to See Further.
This event will introduce some of the key histories and
themes that are shaping the development of Objects to See Further, the new
film by Matt Stokes, set in 1871, and which will be premiered at the Discovery Museum on 15 August 2015 as as part of Great North Run
Culture’s ‘Great North Greats’ programme.
It is entirely free of charge to attend and brings together leading writers, historians and scientists, including:
Henrietta Heald: author of ‘William Armstrong, Magician of the North’ will
talk about the life, work and legacy of William Armstrong, with particular
emphasis on the years around 1871.
Colin Cunningham: Director of UK European-Extremely Large Telescope
project, will talk about the history behind the development of the largest
optical-infrared telescope in the world, including the practicalities involved
in the construction, which have quite literally involved moving a mountain.
As well as insight into what it is hoped this instrument will enable scientists to
discover.
Peter Dillon: is a writer, film director and Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University.
He wrote the award winning BBC 2 documentary ‘River Racing’, which surveyed
the history of rowing on the Tyne. In his presentation he will chart this fascinating
and overlooked part of local sporting tradition.
Alan Fitzsimmons: known as ‘Fitzy’ on Tyneside and beyond, Alan is a member
of ‘The Keelers’ and was a founding member of the Gosforth Folk Club. A true
exponent of Northeast traditional song, Alan will conclude the evening with a
performance of Joe Wilson songs.
Booking information: Please reserve a place by emailingobjectstoseefurther@gmail.com
Refreshments will be provided.
