Arts
A treat for chocoholics
The University Gallery will be turned into a chocolate
lover's heaven this month with the opening of an exhibition devoted to
chocolate and food.
Among the exhibits going on show in Gorgeously Repulsive is a chocolate
room that can be eaten.
The exhibition, curated by a group of MA students from the Department
of Art History and Theory, explores the body and notions of self-control,
desire and disgust.
The centrepiece of the show will be Prudence Emma Staite's chocolate
room which can be interacted with and consumed. Also on show will be
paintings by Simon Collins who makes ironic comment on society, and
specifically the excesses and indulgences of the nouvelle riche culture
inherent in Essex. Other artists exhibiting include Charlotte Bernstein,
Kate Sully and Daniel Lehan.
Jessica Kenny, Director of the Gallery, said: 'Gorgeously Repulsive is
positioned at a time when food and chocolate are particularly relevant.
The media warns daily how obesity levels are rising, yet chocolate is
still heavily celebrated and consumed. Only a month ago we were all
binging on Easter eggs.'
Gorgeously Repulsive will be at the University Gallery from 26 April to
21 May. Admission is free and opening times are as follows: Monday to
Friday, 11am to 5pm, Saturday 1pm to 4.30pm. For further information see
www.gorgeously-repulsive.co.uk.
2000 walkers and talkers
Record numbers visited the University's 40th anniversary
exhibition during its five week run in the University Gallery.
More than 2000 - double the number of visitors the gallery
usually attracts - followed the orange lettering across the campus, read
the walks and talks, and added their memories of the University to the
billboard sized aerial view of the campus.
The exhibition, curated by Celine Condorelli and Gavin Wade, told the
40-year history of the University through those that have been associated
with it and made the campus what it is today.
Amongst the visitors were groups of pupils from schools in and around
Colchester, including a group of six-year-olds from Broomgrove Infants
School in Wivenhoe. They went on their own walk and talk around the Park,
collecting materials to make a series of Andy Goldsworthy inspired
sculptures using the leaves, twigs, stones and flowers found during their
walk.
The exhibition was also well supported by the campus community. Jessica
Kenny, Gallery Director said: 'At least 50 per cent of the additional
visitors were students - they really loved having the chance to have a
dialogue with the University. We were out buying more parcel tags for
people to write their memories of the campus on every week - I couldn't
keep up with the desire by students and staff to leave their memories.'
Pupils from Broomgrove Infants School with
their nature-inspired sculptures
Also in the printed May edition of Wyvern:
