SECTOR FOCUS: PERFORMING ARTS
Ikon banking on Bulgarian artist
W
hat has a yellow blob, a Bulgarian artist and a Birmingham-based
bank got in common? Quite a lot – as Deutsche Bank is sponsoring artist Nedko Solakov’s new exhibition at the Ikon Gallery, near its Brindleyplace offices. And one of the works on display just happens to be ‘The Yellow Blob Story’. The exhibition features sculptures, paintings and other works of art by Solakov. And ‘The Yellow Blob Story’ is going to be recreated for Deutsche Bank’s lounge at the forthcoming ‘Frieze Art Fair’ in London by one of Ikon’s artists, Dan Lickiss.
‘Deutsche Bank is particularly proud to be sponsors of this exhibition’
Deutsche Bank art adviser and curator Alistair Hicks said: “Deutsche Bank is particularly proud to be sponsors of this exhibition as Nedko Solakov has a floor named after him in Deutsche Bank’s global group head office in Frankfurt, which is of course twinned with Birmingham.” Jonathan Watkins, director at Ikon Gallery, said: “Deutsche Bank has been
a valued patron of Ikon for some time now. This new sponsorship agreement signifies a closer relationship between us. Together we will enjoy greater investment in artistic adventure, with interest guaranteed. Such merging of artistic and corporate worlds is good news for Birmingham.” Th Solakov exhibition at the Ikon runs until 13 November.
Faded star: Tracie Bennett as Judy Garland
A star is reborn
After a 60 year absence, Judy Garland is back on a Birmingham stage – well not quite, as the 2011 Judy is played by actress Tracie Bennett, in a play about the tragic star’s final years. ‘End of the Rainbow’ is set in
December 1968, and is based on the Garland’s attempt at making a comeback. By this time, the faded Hollywood star was just 46, and six months away from death, which was brought about by a drug overdose. Her career was firmly set in a
Nedko Solakov and The Yellow Blob Story, which is on display at the Ikon Gallery
downward spiral. Just the year before, she had been fired from the set of ‘Valley of the Dolls’, a junk film about drug addicted socialites. Ironically, Garland was sacked for turning up for work drunk. In a bid to get back on track,
Garland undertook a gruelling five week stint at the famous London
nightclub ‘Talk of the Town’, despite her failing health.
‘Tracie Bennett has won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Garland’
Written by Peter Quilter and directed by Tony and Olivier-award winner Terry Johnson, the play features Judy Garland’s most memorable songs – ‘The Man That Got Away’, ‘Come Rain Or Come Shine’, ‘The Trolley Song’ and ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’. Tracie Bennett has won critical
acclaim for her portrayal of Garland, who herself performed for a week at the Birmingham Hippodrome during 1951. ‘End of the Rainbow’ is being
staged at Birmingham Hippodrome from 17-22 October 2011.
Singalong with us: the Colmore Chorus at BMAG Business in harmony with Colmore Chorus
You’ve heard of Colmore Circus – now meet Colmore Chorus, which is a choir formed by the accountants, lawyers and property specialists who work in the Colmore Business District (CBD). The ‘singing suits’ have teamed up with the Birmingham Opera Company
to improve their singing technique, and have just completed their first live performance, at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery . The choir performed a selection of gospel and choral songs in front of an
46 CHAMBERLINK OCTOBER 2011
audience of family, friends and the general public. CBD communications co-ordinator Tahreen Kutub said: “Colmore Chorus
has provided the local community with an opportunity to come together, learn new skills and have a lot of fun in the process.” Choir member Mariola Smallman, from the Birmingham Resilience Team, added: “Learning singing techniques is something that helps with both vocal projection and confidence with public speaking. I’ve really enjoyed the experience.”
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