Director Ken Russell in Newport to Talk about Shock Tactics in Art
11/4/2008
Legendary film director Ken Russell will be among a team of experts examining the way art can challenge boundaries by using shock tactics, at an event organised by the University of Wales, Newport at the Riverfront Theatre on Wednesday 16th April.
The event, entitled ‘Transgressions’, will look at film, performance and photography that uses strategies such as shock, chaos, disorder and disruption to make points about resistance and subversion in the face of a global society where culture is becoming increasingly standardised.
Ken Russell , who has been Visiting Professor at the International Film School Wales (IFSW) since 2004, will be talking about how he has used shock tactics in his work and then screening two of his short films. The celebrated and controversial British film director is well known for producing cult classics such as the award-winning 'Women in Love, ‘The Devils’ and the Who’s rock opera ‘Tommy’, and was recently included in the Daily Telegraph’s Top 100 Living Geniuses list.
The event, organised by the Centre for Photographic Research at Newport School of Art Media and Design, will also feature talks by Dr Roger Cook, a former lecturer at the University of Reading where he taught Fine Art and Lesbian & Gay Studies, on the art of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and the artists’ group Common Culture which will be discussing exploitation and excess.
Event organiser Mark Durden, said, “This symposium will tie in with the ‘Anti Social’ exhibition which will be on show at the Riverfront Basement from 15th – 25th April. The exhibition will provide a visual platform for selected work for Fine Art, Photographic Art, and Documentary Photography students at Newport’s University and explore issues of idealisation, exoticism, sensationalism and exclusion.â€
A private view of the ‘Anti Social’ exhibition will be held on April 16th from 5 – 8 pm, and will be open to the public daily from 12 - 5pm. Tickets for the ‘Transgressions’ symposium, which takes place from 10am to 5pm, cost £20 (£10 concessions). To book tickets and for more details contact the Riverfront Box Office on 01633 656757.
To find out more about Photography, Film and all other courses at Newport School of Art Media and Design, contact the University Information Centre on 01633 432432 or visit
www.newport.ac.uk.
from:http://www3.newport.ac.uk/news/displayStory.aspx?story_id=248