BPN Blog - category Art

Whilst checking out the recent link to the old photographs of Birmingham we stumbled across a photograph of the old 'Red Cow' pub on Ludgate Hill. This pub inspired us during a recent ideas competition for the upgrade of the Great Charles Street footbridge in Birmingham.

We named it the '1..2..3.. bridge' after its rhythmic walking pattern. Our idea was to create a temporary public art display on the bridge that improved the crossing experience for pedestrians....this is where a big inflatable red cow came in as a nod to the former pub.

Check out the images in the gallery.

Some more interesting old photos of Birmingham

Plus an interesting story from Dave Harte on finding Phyllis Nicklin's slides of Birmingham

To gather a bit of pace before artist Dean Melbourne exhibits his work at three in September, we're sharing the fruits of the life drawing classes he took here at BPN a few months ago. Work from every member of staff who took part is hanging on the walls of our meeting room and foyer. 

These sketches and charcoal illustrations have caused a few eyebrows to be raised over the last few days. Interviews with contractors were taking place earlier today and at the risk of stereotyping, builders are probably more used to seeing the female form adorning the walls of meeting rooms.  

More information about Dean's upcoming exhibition will be available soon.

Put simply, Showcase is an exhibition of the current work of some of Birmingham’s architectural practices and students from Birmingham School of Architecture organised by the Birmingham Architectural Association (BAA).

But it’s also much more than that - Showcase is a true celebration of local architectural creativity across the city, in its many forms.

Let me explain.

Local architects were asked to put together two A1 exhibition boards or the equivalent area, showing work that is currently on their drawings boards (and by that I mean PC/MAC). Showcase isn’t about showing the buildings they have completed in the past. It is a snapshot of what they are currently working on – be it a feasibility study, a recently submitted planning application or something that is currently on site.

Showcase is a cross-section of the work happening across the city, whether it be for a site just around the corner or a site on the other side of the world. Showcase is a demonstration of the broad spectrum of practices we have in Birmingham, from recently formed to those with a forty year plus history, from small practices to global organisations. It reflects Birmingham’s architectural diversity through and through.

It’s about the day-to-day work of an architect in Birmingham – not the glossy finished, photogenic, people-less buildings we often see in the journals but the ideas, aspirations, aims and vision of Birmingham’s architects for our clients and communities.

Showcase aims to blur the boundaries between practice and education. Each practice was asked to sponsor two students, giving them the opportunity to exhibit their work also. By exhibiting work currently on the drawing boards of architects and students, it meant that they had the same baseline to work from. You also won’t find a ‘Practice’ or ‘Student’ area – their work is fully integrated amongst one another.

Birmingham School of Architecture has directly influenced the city of Birmingham we know today and continues to do so. Many of the city’s architects started their architectural career at Birmingham School of Architecture - I am not alone when I say “I am one of them!”. Not only were many of us trained there but also we have been/are currently involved in teaching, tutoring and mentoring students at the School. Showcase aims to reflect this close relationship between practice and education and is one of Birmingham’s best assets. We should shout out about it and Showcase is an opportunity to do just that. 

The BAA and Birmingham School of Architecture organised a design competition for students to design and build the exhibition system at Trove. The response from the students was fantastic and all the entries received were inspirational and professional. The judging panel selected two winning designs – Razvan Pop and Anni Stockeld’s because the decision was so difficult. Both have worked together, alongside the architects and architectural students on the BAA Committee, to see their ideas become reality. This gave them and other students the opportunity to work on a real project and gain some experience in working to deliver a project on a tight time frame and of course, a tight budget!

Showcase is more than one exhibition. There are a number of events and exhibitions happening across the city - all celebrating the architectural creativity right on our doorstep. 

I think that sums up what Showcase is about...

I hope you enjoy it!

GAVIN ORTON
PRESIDENT
BIRMINGHAM ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION

Showcase will be exhibited at Trove until 24th June 2011

Artist Dean Melbourne will be holding his first ever solo show at our offices later this year. Here he is taking part in Birmingham's 4th Pecha Kucha night talking about his relationship with images: