Tuesday 25 August 2015

Fantastic review for Unexpected Excesses fringe installation from Edinburgh49+3!

http://edinburgh49.org/2015/08/19/unexpected-excesses-edinburgh-drawing-school-gallery-9-30-aug-from-11am/ 

From Edinburgh 49+3  Thank you so much.

Unexpected Excesses (Edinburgh Drawing School Gallery, 9 -30 Aug, from 11am)

Unexpected Excesses

“Prepare to be dazzled”

Walking through the doorway into Unexpected Excesses (an exhibition of work from Jan Knibbs and Lizz Watts), my immediate impression was a riot of colour, texture and form. However, thankfully Watts was there to guide us through the collection and how it was created.
One of the most striking pieces, a framed collage called The Return, juxtaposes broken ceramic teapots with papier mache flowers, which appear to grow from the ground in which the pottery has fallen, representing the circle of life. It was full of vibrancy and energy, and a great example of the vivid style of the work on show.
In talking to Watts about her pieces, she revealed that she likes her work to develop organically. She may start off with an idea but at some point it develops a life of its own, and many pieces tell a story. A favorite theme is nature and the changing seasons. A particularly impressive vase with a group of swans’ necks curving from the lip was always intended to be connected to swans thematically, but the final form they took in the piece was completely organic and unplanned. There are certainly no two pieces alike.
The clothes, hats, shoes and other gloriously opulent and embroidered textiles by Jan Knibbs were displayed on mannequins and elsewhere scattered through the exhibition, the effect combining gracefully with the ceramics.The philosophy behind both the textile and ceramic creations is concerned with practicality as well as being stunning to look at: the clothes and shoes are wearable, the bowls and vases usable.
What really makes this exhibition special is that it is both interactive and experiential. Not only are visitors able to talk to the artists but they are also positively encouraged to handle the pieces, feel them and examine them closely. In doing this it can be a pleasant surprise to find a continuation of the decorative motif on the inside or throughout pieces, as well just on the surface. On top of this, when I visited, a harpist (Bianca Watts) appeared and played for us to give an added layer of decadence, and I was lucky enough to be given a glass of Prosecco to enrich my Sunday afternoon with further “unexpected excess”. If that weren’t enough, visitors are invited to contribute a few lines to a daily poem, started by poet in residence Dawn Gorman, in order to really become part of the work.
Unexpected Excesses
As one might expect, this exhibition is an extravagant, beautiful and seemingly chaotic collection of work. Yet there was a real cohesion to it – the ceramics complemented the textiles, and all the added extras fit perfectly into the overall theme. On close examination there were many hidden treasures: ribbons at the back of dresses, decoration inside pots, and lots of small details that made me want to keep examining every piece further. The atmosphere in the room was intimate and relaxed without feeling stuffy or overpowering.
This exhibition is called Unexpected Excesses, and it’s easy to understand that some visitors may see the room, and indeed some of the pieces in it, as too much, too ornate, a gilded lily. But whether it’s your personal taste or not, it’s definitely worth experiencing. There is a varied programme of guest artists and things going on, from poetry to music, as well the incredible art on display. Check the programme before planning your visit, or just turn up and prepare to be dazzled.
outstanding
StarStarStarStarStar

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Unexpected Excesses Exhibition pictures with our guests.



Poets at the table


 Poet's corner

Martin, Francis and a hurdy-gurdy





Poet in residence, Dawn

Francis and Dawn




Monday 17 August 2015

Unexpected Excesses on the Royal Mile




Francis, Bianca and Wendy open the show


Megan weaves tales from the pot.


What did he say?


The heart of The Edinburgh Drawing School and the E.D.S. Gallery, the lovely Fiona, who has generously let us into her space. 

Liz, Jan and their fantastic crew.


Did I really let Megan do this with my bowl?


Sweets for the sweet

The Telegraph loved Jan's dress


Our ever smiling harpist, Bianca.


Three ladies who would grace any stage,   and Francis.

Singing around the harp. Julie and our resident composer Martin.


Dawn, poet in residence, and Megan, both looking elegant.

Set to go on our second Royal Mile Day


Alice looking glorious in Jan's dress


Chris looking the part in Jan's jacket

And Finally.
Julie Mullen and babysitters

no more to say!






Unexpected excesses work in situ

We are oped at the E.D.S. Gallery 13A Great King Street   Fringe venue 324  until August 30th closed Mondays






Sunday 2 August 2015




Guest Programme  for Unexpected Excesses
Look out for further harp dates being added
Welcome to the exciting guest programme for our masked banquet.  Remember, there may be empty seats at the table, so you could be a guest too. Bring your mask! (A cut out and keep mask can be made from our flyer)

Meet Jan, textile artist, in the exhibition for a greater part of each day from the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of August and again on August 30th .

Meet Liz, sculptor and ceramicist, in the exhibition for the greater part ofeach day from August 8th, 9th,10th,11th,12th,13th,14th,15th and the 16th, August 19,20,21,22rd and 23th, and August 29th and 30th to discuss her work and writing.

Meet, Dawn, our poet in residence, working at our table August 9, 10, and 11th from 11-4, the 12th 11-1 and 3-6, and the 14th 11-3.  She also has performing slots as a table guest on the programme below.

9th August
 Photo shoot day with photographer Juliette Lichman of Somnolent Images.
Jan and Liz will be in all day.
 All performers who are available are welcome to come in at some time during the day so they appear in some photos that might be used for press releases.
So you may meet any of our guests that day.
Bill Johnston will also be doing some video recording of the installation.

 1-3pm   Dawn Gorman: Poet in residence
               Megan Lloyd: Storyteller
4-6pm   Martin Seager: Composer in residence
                Bianca Watts: Harp and voice
                 Jilly Mathews  Harp


10th August
1-3pm    Dawn Gorman: Poet in residence
               Julie Mullen: Poet 
4-6pm  Francis Maxey: Story teller/hurdy gurdy
              Bianca Watts: Harp and voice  

11th August
1-3pm  Martin Seager: Composer in residence
               Julie Mullen: Poet 
4-6pm  Francis Maxey: Story teller/hurdy gurdy
               Megan Lloyd: Storyteller

12th August
       1-3pm  Francis Maxey:  Story teller/hurdy gurdy
                      Megan Lloyd: Storyteller
          4-6pm  Megan Lloyd: Storyteller
                     Bianca Watts: Harp and voice

13th August
        1-3pm  Martin Seager: Composer in residence
                     Francis Maxey: Story teller/hurdy gurdy
         4-6 pm  Julie Mullen: Poet
                     Bianca Watts: Harp and voice  

14th August
        1-3pm  Dawn Gorman: Poet in residence
                     Bianca Watts: Harp and voice
         4-6 pm  Bianca Watts:Hharp and voice   
                          Liz

15th August
        1-3pm  Liz
           4-6pm  Aperitifs
              Served by our beautiful table guests and Liz
              With  Bianca Watts: Harp and voice
            
  
16th August
       1-3pm  Aperitifs
                Served by our beautiful table guests and Liz
     4-6pm  Liz
                 Bianca Watts: Harp and voice 

18,19,20 Liz 


19 August

Liz

20th August

Liz

22nd August
       1-3pm  Bianca Watts: Harp and voice   
                 Liz
   4-6pm  Aperitifs
                Served by our beautiful table guests and Liz
              With  Bianca Watts: Harp and voice

23rd August
 1-3pm Aperitifs
                Served by our beautiful table guests and Liz
4-6pm  Jilly Mathews: Harp
              Bianca Watts: Harp and voice

29th August
               1-3pm  Liz
               4-6pm Aperitifs
                      Served by our beautiful table guests and Liz

30th August
      1-3pm   Jan
                Liz
      4-6pm Aperitifs      
             Served by our beautiful table guests and Liz and Jan
               With  Jilly Mathews: Harp