Hosted by the Guangzhou Library and the Library of Birmingham
In Partnership with the British Council and Grain Photography
Exhibition
Changing British & Chinese Libraries Through the Lens of British Photographers
Date: 25 November 2014 – 25 February 2015 (free entry)
Venue: Multi-culture Library (8th Floor, North), Guangzhou Library
Artist Talk
Using the Camera to Open a Dialogue with the Guangzhou Library – A Talk with Two British Photographers
Date: 19.00 - 20.00, Friday 28 November 2014
Location: Lower Level 1 – Auditorium 2, Guangzhou Library
Language: English (Chinese Translation Provided)
Preface
Andrew Lacon and Stuart Whipps are interested in the relationship between the new libraries of Guangzhou, China and Birmingham, UK. Both cities have recently built iconic new libraries and have an official memorandum of understanding. Before their arrival in Guangzhou, Lacon and Whipps made a series of black and white photographs in their studio in the UK. These photographs depict bricks that conform to the ratio of the block work of the Guangzhou library exterior and use the materials, concrete and plywood, utilized in the construction of Birmingham Central Library. The photographs are an attempt to understand the structure and form of Guangzhou library from afar.
During their time in Guangzhou they will be making and exhibiting new work in the library. These works will be introduced to the existing works on display within the space, creating an almost collage of their time and working process whilst in Guangzhou.
Stuart Whipps
Stuart Whipps is an artist based in Birmingham, whose practice is broadly concerned with the aftermath of shift and change, whether this is physical, economic, social, or other. His work deals with the impact on identities predicated by these shifts. He has exhibited widely in the UK and Europe.
Andrew Lacon
Andrew Lacon was born and grew up in the Black Country, near Birmingham. He recently graduated from the Royal College of Art with an MA in Fine Art - Photography. Andrew has developed a practice that engages the viewer with the overlooked elements of documenting sculpture and the relationship between photography and sculpture in both a historical and contemporary context. His work has been shown in the UK and Europe.