Glittering finale to cultural celebration
THE excitement created by the London 2012 Olympics has not just been confined to the athletic world. The arrival of the biggest sporting event on the globe on these shores this year has also resulted in an explosion of artistic activity under the banner of the Cultural Olympiad.
Now, as the Paralympics is taking centre stage in London, this celebration of artistic endeavour is reaching its climax.
One of the final events in the Cultural Olympiad in the East Midlands is also one of the most ambitious.
The World Event Young Artists festival, taking place in Nottingham, is expected to attract thousands of visitors from all over the East Midlands. It runs from September 7-16 and features 1,000 young artists from 100 nations across 30 venues over 10 days.
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Highlights include:
– Paul Smith exhibiting work by a young contemporary artist in his store; – A Gilles Peterson-led day of international music; – Ben Okri and Jon McGregor in conversation with young writers; – The world premiere of a new performance by Michael Pinchbeck;
– International cross-art form collaborations all over Nottingham:
– Artist-led public talks, debates and workshops.
Part of the opening weekend celebrations will see Nottingham's Market Square lit up by the Sunday Fiesta, a celebration of sound and colour featuring live performances including Mandala, a new commission that features 3D projections triggered by live action in the Square, including a special appearance by multi award-winning tabla artist Talvin Singh.
Mandala will be a dazzling mix of music and video projections. Talvin Singh's music mixes with contemporary and classical dancers (including Devika Rao and Akash Odedra) performing live.
Nottingham's Council House will be spectacularly illuminated with colour and light as live 3D projections of British Asian music and dance appear before the crowds.
There will also be pre-recorded tracks by world renowned musicians Anoushka Shankar and Zakir Hussain.
The start time is 8.30pm and you can get more information at www.sampad.org.uk.
It should prove a spectacular multi-media start to the World Event Young Artists programme.
Throughout the duration of the festival, the Market Square will act as a central hub for festivalgoers and artists alike. Alongside daily performances and world food stalls, the area will become the temporary home of the Dome, a mobile arts space that will house a variety of artists and creative experiences. The Market Square will also provide a base for the Journals project, a media centre set up by the Mighty Creatives and Broadway to encourage budding young journalists, bloggers and photographers to document the festival.
During this showcase of creative talent, more than 30 venues will host exhibitions, performances, concerts and workshops by artists aged 18 to 30 from nations including Brazil, Russia, China, India, Iran, USA, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Israel, Syria, Spain, San Marino and the UK.
On Saturday, the festival will host a day of music curated by international DJ and WEYA ambassador Gilles Peterson, who has selected artists to perform before ending the event with a live DJ set.
Also on Saturday, The Space at Nottingham Contemporary will host Sensing Place, a literary event featuring award-winning authors Ben Okri and Jon McGregor in conversation with WEYA's young writers and poets. Over the course of the festival, The Space will feature an intensive programme of back-to-back art and performance interspersed with talks debates and musical collaborations.
Alongside a full programme of live art, Lakeside Arts Centre will display works by more than 30 visual artists from countries including Greece, Egypt, Thailand, Namibia, China and the UK. Lakeside will also host the world premiere of The Beginning by Michael Pinchbeck.
Spread across the entire city, elements of the festival will take place at both Nottingham's leading arts spaces and more unusual venues. Work from Nicaraguan visual artist Katy Escott will be seen alongside the large-scale sculptural installations of UK based Joe Donaldson at St Peter's Church; Broadway cinema will show a programme of screenings and the Broadmarsh shopping centre will exhibit a wide range of visual arts .
Meanwhile, Nottingham designer Paul Smith has personally selected artist Lauren O'Grady and will host her otherworldly sculptures at his flagship Nottingham store.
Silke Pillinger, director of World Event Young Artists, says: "This is a rare opportunity to see the work of original creative talents from all corners of the globe, but what makes it genuinely unique is the opportunity to meet all of the artists involved.
"The way in which Nottingham will be transformed during the 10 days is going to be a truly unique experience for all who attend."
WORLD EVENT YOUNG ARTIStS: Takes place from September 7-16 at more than 30 venues across Nottingham. For more details, go to www.worldeventyoungartists.com.
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