Having lovingly compiled the Artsblogger’s recommendations each week since April, I’m sad to announce that my tenure as editor of Pick of the Week has come to an end on this muggy Friday. I’m off to pastures new (and shall be missing Artsadmin hugely!). Never fear though, POTW – your vital guide to the best places to get your weekly culture dose – will live on, with a new editor, Mr Giles Bunch. Welcome to Giles – I know (and so will you if you’re a follower of his always-interesting blog posts) he’ll do a sterling job. So it is that with a film, two performances, an exhibition, and lots of treehouses, I bid you adieu.
Film – Chosen by Giles
It Felt Like a Kiss by Adam Curtis
My pick of the week is an online find, the film 'It Felt Like a Kiss' by Adam Curtis. It was part of the show he did with Punchdrunk in Manchester quihte recently. You can see the entire film by clicking here, or on the link at the top. The film is a compelling and often unsettling portrayal of how 'America set out to remake the world' during the last 50 years and recounts some of the country's cultural and military endeavors during the period. The film's made entirely from archive footage and feels more like a visual essay yet this strangely makes it far more emotionally involving than so much other documentary making, this probably being down to the way the audience is expected to work much harder to draw meaning from the images.
Exhibition – Chosen by Lisa
JEFF MCMILLAN: The Possibility of an Island
Peer (99 Hoxton Street, N1), 1st July - 22nd August, FREE.
I've always been a bit suspicious of artists who use found objects as a main focus of their art... especially those who use other people's art in their art. I was a bit annoyed to find that the lovely, richly coloured landscapes in McMillan's work weren't actually painted by said artist, but I still have to admit the installation itself was rather breathtaking. Peer is tiny and out of the way but if you're in the Hoxton area, pop in to view the bewildering composition that spans two walls and a sprinkling of other works. Made me feel a little seasick, but it's lovely.
Performance – Chosen by Rosalie
STAY! by Stacy Makishi
The Zoo (Venue 124 : Grid Ref F6), 140 The Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9RR
Monday 24 – Saturday 29 August, 8.25 – 9.10pm
The mischievous Stacy Makishi will be doing just 6 performances during Edinburgh. Spotted as ‘exquisitely talented’ (The List) last year, Makishi now brings the darkly comic STAY! to the ZOO. The performance draws inspiration from 'Lassie Come Home', 'Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?’, and the paintings of Paula Rego, with the result lying somewhere between Film Noir and ‘Pet Rescue’. Stacy Makishi is a Hawaii-born, London-based artist who works in a variety of media including visual theatre, film, and public interventions. She makes intelligent, challenging, and often humorous works that have been called literate and uncanny. Whether she takes on a horror film, fashion show, immigration border, or psychic intervention, her work is infused with surreal humour. For more information on STAY! and Stacy Makishi, email Nikki Tomlinson.
Event – Chosen by Frank
Live Musicology at The Treehouse Gallery
Sunday 16th August, Regents Park
Your chance to experiment with whatever you can find that makes a noise, bring it along and take part in an all-inclusive live improvised musical jam, and it's all hosted up in tree! The Treehouse Gallery is an innovative public project featuring a free daily program of events, arts, music and activities. Open from 19th July until 6th September, Mon - Thurs 10am - 4pm and Fri - Sun 10am - 8pm. Find them by the boating lake. Click here for a full schedule of daily activities, talks and workshops.
Theatre – Chosen by Carly
Your Number's Up, Roundhouse Theatre Company
Until 23 Aug (exculding 18th), noon, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh.
£8-£9 (concessions £6-£7).
Exploring the controversial topics of illegal immigration, rape, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy amid scenes of adolescent confusion, this production also aims to raise awareness of the sensitive issue of knife crime, a widespread problem on the streets of north London. Slick scene integration, some audience interaction and a youthful cast bring humour to the serious subject matter, injecting a lighter tone to what could otherwise become an all-too-gritty experience. Go along and see what you think.
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