There’s quite a bit of arty stuff to do and see this month around Birmingham, from 3D drawing, abstract art, performance art that looks at mental health and two Canadians telling you how great the canals are.
Kelly Mark – 108 Leyton Ave
27 January — 3 April 2016
A new film from Canadian artist Kelly Mark, which focuses on the concepts of “everything” and “nothing”. The artist takes on the roles of “everything” and “nothing”, performing for split-screen projection, delving into contradictions within her own personality and exploring what happens when you have no one talk to but yourself. The exhibition is the Tower room, accessible only via a number of steps. Entry is free.
Chance, Order, Change: Abstract Paintings 1939-1989
11 February – 8 May
Works by some of the most influential artists in the 20th Century are seen together for the very first time in public. This usually private collection includes work by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Victor Pasmore, Ad Reinhardt and Sean Scully. Entry is free.
CanCanCan Festival
Thursday 10 March
A one-off festival featuring performance and visual art by young people with learning disabilities. Cian Binchy, who is autistic and taught the cast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time how to be autistic, headlines, with his Edinburgh hit show The Misfit Analysis. There will also be poetry, rap, comedy and physical theatre performances. The festival takes place in The Patrick Centre, with tickets at £10.
Live R&D: Drawing with 3D pens
Saturday 19 March, 12-2pm
Your chance to have a go at drawing with 3D pens. BOM fellow Laurie Ramsell will be running the workshop, giving you the opportunity to try out the pens and create a unique sculpture while finding out more about his work with Transhumanism. Entry is free, just drop in, no booking required.
Grand Union Canal Workshop (Arts & Science Festival): Eric Moschopedis, Mia Rushton
Saturday 19 March, 4–6pm
Grand Union Canal
Once you’ve perfected your 3D sculpture, why not get down to the Grand Union Canal for a walk and talk led by Canadian interdisciplinary visual artists (no I’m not sure what that means either) Eric Moschopedis and Mia Rushton. The artists are in residence at the Grand Union Gallery throughout February and March undertaking intense research into the canals and waterways in Birmingham. The walk is free but you’ll need to register here.
Bryony Kimmings and Tim Grayburn: Fake It ’til You Make It
Wednesday 23 – Thursday 24 March
Contemporary theatre about men and mental health, from performance artists Bryony Kimmings and advertising agency account manager Tim Grayburn, her clinically depressed boyfriend (remember, correlation not causation). There will dancing, singing, tears, tantrums and onstage arguments. Tickets are £13. Jone
Sally Watson-Jones
Arts Editor, Grapevine Birmingham.