Location: Gallery 1 / Gallery 2 / Atrium
Cost: FREE
#WinterSparks
Winter Sparks turns away from the traditional
understanding of the museum as a contemplative and interpretive
white-cube space, and seeks to engage visitors in a journey through
impressive large-scale installations exploring the connections
between art and science.
Each work, in its own way, seeks to make scientific processes
visible, and all of the artists reference pioneering inventor
Nikola Tesla whose many experiments included electricity, x-rays
and wireless communications.
Within the tradition of Tesla's curiosity, the international
artists presented here at FACT share a view of making 'direct art'.
They talk about the external world without creating narratives or
discourses referring to storytelling. Instead, they engage with a
non-representational tradition of using the materials, allowing the
experience to make an impression on the spectator. It is up to us
to make meaning from these direct experiences of what, in some
settings, might be termed nature or magic.
Exhibition Events and Special Screenings
Use the tabs on this page to view the related programme of
films, events, workshops and schools resources.
Winter Sparks is supported by the Conseil des Arts et
des Lettres du Québec; the Québec Government Office, London;
Mondriaan Fund and The Performing Arts Fund, Netherlands.
Image: Alexandre Burton, Impacts, 2012
Screenings
9 January
Melancholia
(15)
Lars von Trier / 2011 / 136min
'A beautiful movie about the end of the world'. Lars von Trier's
Melancholia follows two sisters' strained relationship in
the lead up to the impending collision of a mysterious planet with
Earth.
The event features an introduction by Dr Andy Newsam, Professor
of Astronomy Education and Engagement at the Astrophysics Research
Institute of Liverpool John Moores University.
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23 January
Frankenstein
(PG)
James Whale / 1931 / 70min
Boris Karloff stars as the original monster in this classic
horror film.
With introduction by Dr Sally Sheard, Senior Lecturer in History
of Medicine at the University of Liverpool.
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6 February
AI:
Artificial Intelligence (12A)
Steven Speilberg / 2001 / 146min
The epitome of advanced computer science, a robotic boy longs to
become 'real' so he can regain the love of his human mother.
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13 February
The Prestige
(12A)
Christopher Nolan / 2006 / 130min
The story itself tells the tale of a pair of rival magicians,
played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. One's strength is his
showmanship, and the other's is his illusions. Even with the help
of a prop inventor (Michael Caine) and a comely assistant (Scarlett
Johansson), Angier can't match Borden's ultimate illusion: The
Transporting Man. Angier's obsession with learning Borden's trick
leads him to an encounter with an eccentric inventor (David
Bowie).
Opening Event
13 December
6pm - 8pm
Winter Sparks opens with special performances from the
artists.
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Ways of Seeing Webcast
14 December
2pm / FREE
Join FACT's long-running community led project tenantspin for a
special live webcast discussion with Edwin van der Heide, Bosch
& Simons and Alexandre Burton. Meet the artists, join the
discussion and find out more about their work.
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Delia Darlings (12)
16
January
FREE
A special touring event celebrating the work of electronic pioneer
Delia Derbyshire,
who is most known for creating the original BBC Doctor
Who theme tune in 1963
using no 'musical' instruments. Includes screening of
award-winning documentary The Delian Mode plus Q&A
with director Kara Blake. Plus a presentation of new music
commissions.
Vibrations Workshop with Bosch & Simons
15 December
1pm - 3pm / FREE
Work alongside the artists, ask them questions about the use of
sound and science in art and find out more about the amazing
experiments conducted by Tesla, whilst creating an artistic
investigation of your own.
Children aged 10 and up will be able to participate in every
element of the workshop, whereas younger, supervised children can
assist in dressing the sculpture and attaching objects which will
create sound and rhythm.
Great for families!
Winter Sparks Explore Days
30 January
/ 13 February
Bring your students for a morning at FACT. Explore the exhibition
with a special guided tour and take advantage of this rare
opportunity to see the 1931 classic, Frankenstein on the
big screen!
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School Tours
We offer guided tours for schools, please contact
anna.kronenburg@fact.co.uk to book.
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Interactive Tours
Tour the exhibit with artist Kevin Hunt, explore the artworks
and take part in some specially devised activities. For more
information or to book contact anna.kronenburg@fact.co.uk
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Teachers Resource
Our learning resource for Winter Sparks is
available to download now from the Downloads section on the right
hand side of the page.
Its packed with information, facts and activities
about the artists and their works. To here from the artists
themselves check out the links below:
Alexandre Burton answers some questions from young
people on whether he is an artist of a scientist, how dangerous his
work is and magic - http://vimeo.com/55555234
Edwin Van der Heide talks
about whether his work scares people, why he likes electricity and
what his work means - http://vimeo.com/55552197
Peter Bosch of Bosch and Simons discusses how
complicated their sculptures are, whether they really move by
themselves and whether art should be fun - Coming Soon
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Teachers Survery
FACT's Schools and Learning team are looking to hear from
teachers to help develop their programme. Just fill out the
following short survey to help FACT's engagement work and to be in
with a chance of winning a year's FACT membership and a copy
of We are the Real Time Experiment: 20 Years of FACT.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SchoolsandLearning
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