by Mat Burtcher | Sep 21, 2012 | News
Hey, culture fans. Are you also gaming fans? I hope so. And if you’re not, I hope it’s a “not yet” rather than a never, because I’m really excited about the ongoing convergence of arts and interactive play. Some of you may have caught wind of an idea we’ve been developing behind closed doors – currently, and imaginatively, dubbed ‘The Game’ – which we’re steadily moving towards announcing officially. It’s a project we’re working on with a few non-theatre-industry bods who are really opening our minds to some fun new opportunities. Rather than go on about this idea afresh, I’ll pull a “here’s one I made earlier”: a transcript of a Live Chat that The Guardian invited us to take part in last week with this very issue as it’s focused. It was an honour to be a part of the panel, which included Matt Adams, artist and director for Blast Theory, Jessica Curry, co-director and composer for thechineseroom, Alex Fleetwood, founding director of Hide&Seek and Iain Simons, director of GameCity. Everyone had some pretty insightful things to say – so do have a read and drop us a line if you feel like joining in the conversation – I’d love to hear what you think. A summary of the discussion went up here today; the full transcript can still be read, with user comments, over here. Hope you...
by Mat Burtcher | Aug 30, 2012 | News
It’s been a busy few months in the world of Heritage Arts. In June, we produced an eclectic mix of shows and exhibitions down at the Old Vic Tunnels, including the fantastic Enlightenment Café from LAS Theatre, a part science, part theatrical event which creates an interactive educational world for the audience, The Majesty, created by horticultural installation artists Tony Heywood and Alison Condie, and a breathtaking Future Tense exhibition of Joseph Loughborough’s artwork. Follow the links for pictures and info. Simultaneously, we were once again sourcing performers and support staff for Secret Cinema during their wonderful outing aboard Ridley Scott’s Prometheus – the first Secret Cinema featuring a film simultaneously as released in cinemas. You can see a few photos of our thirty-strong team at work over here. We also took up the opportunity to get involved with Britain Creates, one of the central events of the Cultural Olympiad in the capital, which involved an auction of some unforgettable new artworks created in partnership between some of England’s most exciting artists and fashion designers. We provided a living installation for this unique event, produced by INCA, and pictures will be on the way soon. Whilst London was abuzz with Olympic revelry, we put together a couple of themed events for Covent Garden’s Hospital Club, though, despite our best creative efforts, we couldn’t help but feel we might not have completely overshadowed Danny Boyle’s ceremony. Sporting heroes and Terry Gilliam’s Brazil were our inspiration: photos of the team and installations can be found here. And, of course, no Heritage Arts summer agenda would be complete without the inimitable Standon...
by Mat Burtcher | Aug 10, 2012 | News
Hi HAC fans, just wanted to let you know that the site is going to look a bit funny over the weekend because there are some technical updates going on. Come next week it’ll be back to normal, and chock full of all the news, projects and galleries you’ve come to expect. We’ve lost a few of our recent news articles, but they’ll be back once it’s all sorted. Enjoy the sun, Mat...
by Mat Burtcher | Feb 28, 2012 | News
The last day of Vault. In three weeks we’ve sent the curtain up on 100 different events, hosted over 25 unique artists and companies, seen over six thousand people through the door, been the number viewed event on Time Out for almost whole month, and had a damn fine time doing it. By the broadest estimation we have put fifty grand in the pockets of young artists – and we feel as proud of them and we do ourselves. While we’re on back-patting, let’s appreciate the strength of the thing we’ve built, against all the odds, without any major backers or sponsors – VAULT was built by unity of vision and linking energetic companies together. Well done to all the artists, to all the technicians, to all the volunteers and to all the audiences, and everyone else who picked up the ball and just kept running. We couldn’t have done it without you. Where to go from here? We’re not switching to a completely subterranean lifestyle just yet. This summer will see another fantastic Standon Calling festival, where we’ll be having all kinds of ludicrous outdoor fun, and before we get there we’ve got some plans for the parks and a few more plans for this place. So watch this space – thanks for coming...
by Mat Burtcher | Feb 8, 2012 | News
Oh Boy. Time Out Number One viewed event – for a whole week. And that’s beating the new exhibition by Lucian Freud, rest in peace. Number one. If that’s not enough to make you click on the tickets button then we don’t know what is. Ok, if you’re reading this then it wasn’t enough. How about this – Telegraph top ten? No? Guardian “Pick of the Week?” No? How about London’s number one club night this week, as voted by Time Out? We’re proud to say that we’re also going to be hosting the launch of the London Equality Groups manifesto for the London Mayoral Campaign – urging the candidates to sign up to the six most effective policies to reduce income inequality. Should be a leveling afternoon. The evidence is mounting. If you aren’t at the VAULT you aren’t anywhere. We’re tearing back the lid on a completely new space at The Old Vic Tunnels, and you had better be there to see it. We are astounded, daily HOURLY by the wealth of talented people who’s shows, installations, films and music are flooding the venue, and honoured to be a part of it. Come down and say hello – you won’t regret...
