Press Release: `Contemporary Art of the City of Culture` to be

 Press Release: 'Contemporary Art of the City of Culture' to be launched at VOID on 23.05.13 -­‐1.30 -­‐2.30 pm and then at the 2013 Venice Biennale, at the British Pavilion on the 31st of May. Void are delighted to have taken the lead in an exciting new project ‘Contemporary Art at the City Of Culture.’ The project which has been kindly supported by the Arts Council, the British Council and Culture Company represents the entire visual art programme for the city of culture and takes the form of a pop up map and digital platform. Void have teamed up with award winning Northern Irish Illustrator Peter Strain and origami artist Katharine Grant to create the map and digital platform to present the impressive Contemporary Arts offer of Derry-­‐Londonderry in 2013. The publication and website will be launched in Derry on Thursday May 23rd 1.30 – 2.30 pm at Void and then at an event hosted by the British Council in the British Pavilion as part of the 2013 Venice Biennial. The event will be introduced by Penelope Curtis (Director of Tate Britain) followed by a one off specifically commissioned performance by Resonance FM featuring Bob and Roberta Smith ‘Why I named my son after Fergal Sharkey’. About the project: The UK City of Culture Derry – Londonderry presents an invaluable opportunity in creating exposure for artists, cultural organisations and the visual arts sector, both locally and abroad. It is therefore essential that the programme and in particular the visual arts programme is promoted not just to those who decide to visit the city, but is represented in cultural events globally. As Void has a major contribution to the 2013 programme, they initiated a project that promotes the entire programme of Contemporary Art in the City and launches a strong visual arts identity of the City of Culture to be presented internationally. The Venice Project is managed by Void and supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the British Council and Culture Company, and promotes the programmes of Void, Void Sites, the soon to be opening City Factory Gallery space, CCA (Centre for Contemporary Art), Ebrington, The Nerve Centre and collaborations with major international art world events such as the 2013 Turner Prize and Artichoke’s Lumiere. The pop up map can be used as a visual arts guide that was designed by Peter Strain, an AOI Award winning Illustrator working and living in Belfast. Strain’s work tackles social, political and cultural issues with a highly distinctive hand lettering style, bold imagery and humour. The map will be distributed amongst organisations across Derry and distributed across the international Media, through the Venice Launch and other major Art world events throughout the rest of the year. We hope to achieve international recognition for Derry as a city of Contemporary Art, where, if you visit you will be given the opportunity for a truly unique and memorable visual arts experience for 2013 and beyond, with the map and website serving as an inspiring guide. Images: Notes to Editor: • 'Contemporary Art of the City of Culture' was made possible by VOID, Culture Company, The British Council and The Arts Council, Northern Ireland • 'Contemporary Art of the City of Culture' of part of Void’s 2013 City of Culture programme. • Void is a non-­‐profit organisation with core funding provided by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland with additional assistance from Derry City Council and other sources. Void is an artist-­‐led space. It has a staff of 11 and circa 20 volunteers, which include the Curatorial Committee and Board. Void also regularly employs the skills of freelancers for specific projects. • UK City of Culture: Derry~Londonderry has made history after winning its bid to be the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013. After many years of turmoil Derry-­‐
Londonderry is enjoying the dividend of the peace process and undergoing a renaissance, transforming physically and culturally. Being designated UK City of Culture for 2013 enables the city to accelerate the pace of change and provides a new story for the city to tell to the world. For further information regarding this event or on any of the projects in Void’s 2013 programme please contact: Emer Grant at Void: [email protected]