Arts

Commercialism in art on show

The recently-opened exhibition at the University Gallery investigates commercialism and the commodification of art through a range of intriguing pieces that includes a modified Scalextric track.

Offer Must End Soon, one of Chris Dobrowolski's works that are in the Gallery

The exhibition of new works by Chris Dobrowolski, who has exhibited across Europe, runs until 11 February. Each work concentrates on an aspect of promoting and marketing art.

Since his days as a student, Dobrowolski has been uncomfortable about the art market and what he perceives as the denigration of art through the commercial process. During his career, he has found himself in a paradox of his own making when he has been unable to sell his works at the risk of compromising his principles. It is these ‘hang-ups’ that are addressed in this exhibition. Alongside other works, a toy van, which circles the Gallery on the Scalextric track, invites us to ‘buy my paintings’ from a loudspeaker.

Cornfield (Free Gift Inside) by Chris Dobrowolski

Dobrowolski, who was educated at the Royal College of Art and now teaches at Leeds Metropolitan University, is best known for his large-scale artistic inventions that have included a fully-functioning hovercraft, aeroplane and a tank.

The exhibition by Chris Dobrowolski will be at the University Gallery until 11 February. Admission is free and opening times are as follows: Monday to Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday 1pm-4.30pm.

East 15 students perform record number of shows

The run-up to Christmas was a busy time for East 15 students with four public productions on the go at the same time.

Final year BA Acting and BA Contemporary Theatre students toured local schools in Essex and London giving 50 performances in just two weeks. Three shows were on the bill: The Nightingale for younger children, and The Song of Hiawatha and The Anarchists’ Panto for older audiences.

The Song of Hiawatha. Picture courtesy of Andrew Williams

At the same time, another group of students performed the first stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop – re-titled as Little Nell – at the Corbett Theatre.

Little Nell. Picture courtesy of Theodore Woods

John Baraldi, Director of the acting school, said: ‘This was an incredibly big step forward for us – four public productions up and running at the same time – reaching perhaps 9,000 children, their families and teachers. This was a marvellous gift to the young people of Essex and London and an incredible showcase for our acting and technical students.’

The Nightingale. Picture courtesy of Andrew Williams

Dickens classic re-told

The Lakeside Theatre hosts an innovative performance of the Dickens classic Great Expectations in February.

The Shifting Sands Theatre Company offers a uniquely dynamic interpretation of the story of love, class, morality and guilt in which Pip encounters Magwitch, Miss Haversham and the beautiful Estella.

Three clowns, Dickens aficionados, are on the quest for the birthplace of the story and it is through them that the story is told. The three actors use the playfulness and stupidity of the clown to uncover the desires and demands that drive the tale. They play with Dickens’ ingredients yet remain faithful to the language, characterisation and emotion of the original work.

Shifting Sands was founded in 1998 to create innovative, accessible and visually spectacular theatre. The Company has won critical acclaim for its unconventional interpretations of classic texts which include Romeo and Juliet and Faustus.

Great Expectations will be at the Lakeside Theatre for one night only on 22 February, 7.30pm. To book tickets, contact the Box Office on 01206 873261 or e-mail arts@essex.ac.uk.

Also in the printed January edition of Wyvern:

• Choir's Mozart Requiem
• Language skills on the stage
• Governments in Gallery