South Wales
The low-down
New contemporaries in the capital
g39 >
Championing artist-led practice back in
the capital city is a new initiative from
The Modern Alchemists, a nomadic group
of recent graduates from Cardiff School
of Art & Design.
-----------------The Kickplate Gallery >
-----------------Jonathan Powell >
They have opened a new venture called The Abacus,
just opposite Central Station, which hosts a
sporadic programme of events and short-term
exhibitions and operates as a grassroots platform
for artist activity, whatever its format.
-----------------Elysium Gallery >
-----------------BEEP >
The Modern Alchemists have gone from strength
to strength, beginning as a showcase in the
Capitol Shopping Centre and then moving to a
large, more expansive space on Wood Street.
They have fine-tuned their talents for what is
set to become the fantastic new art space that
Cardiff has been crying out for.
From 3 October to 9 November, the capital city
will welcome Cardiff Contemporary festival 2014
on the theme of ‘Reveal/Conceal’. One of many
exciting projects is tactileBOSCH’s multi-platform
exhibition ‘Paradise Lost’ in a formerly concealed
Immigration & Customs building down in Cardiff Bay.
The Modern Alchemists >
-----------------The Abacus >
-----------------The Abacus. Credit: The Modern Alchemists
Empty Walls Festival >
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As a celebration of generosity and kindness
and a platform for experimentation, it is also a
fitting tribute to artist and curator Kim Fielding,
co-founder of tactileBOSCH, who died in February
this year. The Kim Fielding Award will be launched on
the opening evening, providing a legacy for
the experimental work he championed throughout
his life and embodying the faith he placed in the
many people who knew and worked with him.
Bob Gelsthorpe, September 2014
Cardiff Contemporary >
-----------------tactileBOSCH >
-----------------The Kim Fielding Award >
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Credit information goes here
The Modern Alchemists also run the Empty Walls
festival that Cardiff residents and visitors may
be familiar with. Running from 21 September to
25 October, it involves commissions for large
painted murals all over Roath from nationally and
internationally acclaimed artists. Empty Walls will
be even bigger and bolder this year, with a firm
emphasis on direct audience engagement: it’s
definitely an event to keep your eyes peeled for.
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NOTES FROMFROM WALES | AUTUMN 2014 22
NOTES WALES | AUTUMN 2014 2