Notes from Wales Issue 1: Autumn 2014 | Page 23

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 > ------------------ 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 > ------------------ 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. ------------------ NOTES FROMFROM WALES | AUTUMN 2014 22 NOTES WALES | AUTUMN 2014 2