Photos of the exhibition launch which happened 4 January 2011.
04/02/2011
19/01/2011
04/01/2011
kraak photographic studio
Kraak Gallery can now be used as a photographic studio. Check out the website www.kraakstudio.com for details. Monies raised from the studio will be used to help keep the gallery going.
11/12/2010
Santiego's Dead Wasp Write-Up of SAFE
Matt Dalby has written about the Super Awesome Fun Exhibition in his blog Santiego’s Dead Wasp:
On Wednesday Super Awesome Fun Exhibition [SAFE] opened at Kraak. It’s the first time I’ve been to Kraak since Queer in August.The exhibition has a definite handmade feel to it. Anecdotally this seems to be part of a movement toward a humanisation and increased emotional intelligence in art that seems to be happening at present.Right in front of you as you enter the space and reaching into all parts is a complex cats-cradle of thin nylon rope. This I believe is the work of Dominic O’Grady, one of four artists in the show. Whether you think of a natural form like cobwebs, or an unnatural form like a ship’s rigging, of the order of a three-dimensional model of an interconnected online world, or of the insanity at the heart of Patrick McGrath’s Spider (or David Cronenberg’s film with it’s great performance from Ralph Fiennes), there’s no doubt the piece is richly allusive.It’s also perhaps easily ignored. Although that might have been the presence of a tv crew lighting the space more strongly than would otherwise be the case. Later when they’d gone it seemed like the lights fell mostly on the centre of the arrangement drawing your eye more effectively.Closer to the entrance and running counter-clockwise across half the space are super-inflated reproductions of photographs each made up of dozens of A4 sheets collaged together. These are of handmade instruments and modifications to instruments taken by Florian Fusco during his interviews with sound artists and musicians across the northwest during his recent residency at Kraak.At least two of the photos are of Paddy Steer‘s equipment. If you’re not familiar with Paddy’s work you really should be so take a few minutes to check out that link even if you don’t follow any of the others.My understanding is that the photos and interviews will be published in some form reasonably soon and should make an interesting snapshot of quite a vigorous scene. Maybe it’s just through being involved in things but I get the sense that there are thriving music/sound scenes, visual/installation/performance art scenes, literary scenes and other creative scenes across the north of England at present.After these huge images there’s a more modest red velvet drape which at the opening had a sign by it saying that it was for a photographic project by Zak HaHa. Nothing was happening at the opening and I rather like the idea of an installation promising an endlessly deferred action that never happens. However I suspect that after the opening photos will be taken in front of this red drape.Continuing anti-clockwise around the space which seems to be the logical route to follow is a giant three-dimensional cardboard eeek! This was made by Florian Fusco for one of the club nights at Kraak. As well as impressing with its sheer size and just being quite a fun piece it’s an impressive feat of making in itself.Another nice bit of card making by Florian are the shades on the lights around the space directing the light onto the works. These are not just ragged bits of card taped to the fittings but quite elegant pieces that appear manufactured specifically for the purpose. Which of course they are.Florian is also responsible along with Zak HaHa for the next work, twee porn wank booth. I don’t want to spoil the experience of this piece for you so I won’t describe it until after the exhibition closes on 22 December. Suffice to say a black drape partitions off a booth in which a chair faces a large screen television. There’s only room for one person in the booth at any one time.The next piece I assume is Rebecca Manley’s. To be honest a description of the piece won’t really do it any favours. This was not my favourite work but I suspect that may have been partly the context and partly my feeling that it seemed like a sketch towards another piece of work. On the other hand it seemed most like the kind of work I’d expect to see in a more broadsheet-friendly show in a larger gallery.The umbrella bit of an umbrella (minus the handle) rested on the floor. Blue-painted wooden sticks suspended from the ceiling resembling cartoon rain hung above it. Next to the umbrella and just out of the pool of light was a red pyramid. The scene was perhaps a stoic Mancunian going about their daily business despite their complete immersion from the biblical rain. The pyramid then the top of a gatepost? Or perhaps it’s something else.Finally a photo, I think one of two that were periodically changed, of a child in pastoral summer scenes is projected on the wall. The piece is called Sister and is by Zak HaHa. The interplay of photos and title seems simple but may not be all it seems. There’s no indication when the photos were taken or by whom. It wasn’t especially clear whether the child is a girl or not which would have implications for what the title means.I like the exhibition and the way the works interact with each other. I like the fact there’s a sense of humour about it that I haven’t reflected at all in my description. I like the handmade feeling and the sense that real people were involved in the making.
08/12/2010
Photos of the Super Awesome Fun Exhibition
Photos of the exhibition launch which happened 8th December 2010.
Super Awesome Fun Exhibition Promo Videos
12/11/2010
Gary Foy & Christian Ollier
For just this weekend, Garry Foy and Christian Ollier will be displaying some of their work. The opening is on Friday12th from 7pm. The show will also be available to see on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm
15/10/2010
M’Sieve Art (Manchester Creative Exhibition)
M’Sieve Art started with a quirky exhibition based on dolls back in May 2010, with a diverse talent of artist from illustrators, fine artist, model makers and abstract, from Russia, Brighton, London, Latvia, Manchester. This new exhibition “Five to 12″ will showcase 5 pieces of work from each of the 12 artist and will range from the realistic oil painting and a 3d live scene of grotesque characters to quirky illustration and dream like abstract. It will be a young diverse and varied exhibition.
To view work by the artists follow the links.
click on here www.artinthesittingroom.co.uk.
www.msieveart.com click on the artist and their names, they show you a sample and/or take you to their website.
Opening Evening is Friday 15 October 6.30pm all are welcome (there will be an after party in the new venue at Kraak, so a great night out too. Saturday 16 – Friday 22 October daily 9am – 6pm. Late opening Thursday 21 till 9pm
Artists:
Andy V Parry
Vineta Gailite
Daniel Raow
Christopher Guest
Carlos Garde Martin
David Hardy
Andy Glinka
Sam Sawdit
Rosin Weintruab
Julia Chemerinskaya
Linda Thorne
Steven Cambell
Laura Loiuse Cream
28/08/2010
Keep it in The Family
Brenda’s Alternative Pride Weekend
David Hoyles ‘Keep it in the family’
‘The Family that Lays and Slays together-Stays together’
With Gerry Potter,
wednesday 25th until tuesday 31st august
a eclectic mix of art works by local queer artists, as part of alternative activites during Manchester Pride
preview weds 25th 7 o clock
with a live performance based piece
43rd birthday party 2010 ,
on at 730-9pm
kraakgallery 