Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

Calendar

February 2010

February 2010

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All events for this month

Exhibition

Names Set in Stone: the Builders of Hadrian's Wall

Who built Hadrian's Wall? How did they overcome the challenges of this massive undertaking? This exhibition pieces together information from surviving inscriptions recording basic details of the workforce and the supervising centurions involved. In doing so, it takes us closer to an understanding of the origins and skills of the soldiers who built the largest Roman structure in the world.

16 May 09 - 1 Mar 10.

Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum

Exhibition

Reinventing Newcastle: Views Over the Ages

Newcastle got its name from the castle built by the army of William the Conqueror in 1080. The previous Anglo-Saxon town had been known as Monkchester. This followed on from the Roman fort of Pont Aelius.

Newcastle’s prosperity was built on shipping, particularly the coal trade, and riverside industries. The Quayside was the commercial heart of the town for many centuries.
 
The town walls were completed in the mid-14th century as protection during border wars with Scotland. Originally, Newcastle was built on a series of hills separated by steep deans. From the late-18th century, the deans started to be filled in. At the same time, parts of the walls were knocked down as the town expanded.
 
In the 1830s, Newcastle gained a fine new centre when the grand stone buildings of Grey Street and Grainger Street were built. The High Level Bridge and the railway helped bring a new burst of industrialisation and growth to the town from the mid-19th century. Newcastle finally became a city in 1882, when the medieval Church of St Nicholas was made a cathedral.
 
In the 20th century, buildings such as the Tyne Bridge and the Civic Centre created new landmarks. Today, the Quayside has overcome decline and is again a lively centre of Newcastle life.

19 Sep 09 - 26 Sep 10.

Laing Art Gallery

Exhibition

Stories of Southwick

The story of Southwick is continually being recorded by Southwick History and Preservation Society. This latest exhibition by the Society offers an opportunity to learn more about the fascinating history of this old and once separate quarter of Sunderland. You can also make your own contribution to the record in this, the centenary year of the Queen Alexandra Bridge.

Related books available online and Monkwearmouth Station Museum Shop
 

 

14 Nov 09 - 28 Feb 10.

Monkwearmouth Station Museum

Exhibition

SPOILED

Elaine Wilson's work explores received ideas about women and femininity and the perpetuation of romantic and stereotypical ideals most recently through the language and tradition of ornament and figurines. Having worked with clay and ceramic processes for many years Wilson has chosen during her recent research post as Norma Lipman Fellow in Ceramic Sculpture to critically revisit the subtle politics of ceramic ornament and the wider contexts of vanity and masquerade.


The double action of looking and the relationship between self and otherness is explored in Seeing myself Seeing, two large ceramic figures/figurines which form the centre piece of her exhibition SPOILED at the Hatton Gallery , the collage works which relate to the ceramic sculpture are also concurrently on show until 12 December at The Globe Gallery http://www.globegallery.org

27 Nov 09 - 21 Feb 10.

Hatton Gallery

Exhibition

The Long Dark

Curated by Michelle Cotton, takes a text by John Ruskin, The Nature of Gothic as its starting point for an exploration of 'medievalism' in contemporary art.

Bringing together an international group of artists based in Britain and Germany, the exhibition examines a revival of interest in pre-modern techniques and methods of artistic production, along with the ideals and aspirations they bring with them.

The exhibition features work by Eva Berendes, Simon Bill, Alexandra Bircken, Nicholas Byrne, Raphael Danke, Peter Linde Busk, Kalin Lindena, Maria Loboda, and Bernd Ribbeck.

5 Dec 09 - 20 Feb 10.

Hatton Gallery

Exhibition

Swans of the Tyne

Swan Hunter was responsible for some of the greatest ships of the 20th century and this new exhibition will explore the history of one of the best known shipbuilding companies in the UK.

The exhibition has been created by a variety of individuals and community groups in the North East, who have worked with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums outreach team.

On display in the exhibition are a range of photographs, technical drawings, film and video footage of Swan Hunter, as well as recorded memories of people who either worked at or were in some way connected with the shipyard.

BALTIC is holding a free event on 10 June to complement this exhibition, and BALTIC's own exhibition, The Things That Happen When Falling in Love. Click here to find out more about the event at BALTIC.

Click here for more information on the Swan Hunter Shipyard and the people who once worked there.

15 Dec 09 - 30 May 10.

Discovery Museum

Exhibition

The Great British Art Debate: Rebel Nation

What is British art?
What does 'British' mean to me?
Who owns all the paintings in our local galleries?
If I make art, am I a British artist?

The Great British Art Debate asks all these questions and more. It's not about giving you all the answers but asking you to share your opinions on British art and what it means to you.

Karaoke will be coming to the Laing Art Gallery with the start of a new exhibition called Rebel Nation.

As part of the Great British Art Debate, the Laing will be showing paintings by artist Luke Caulfield of teenagers dressed in death metal t-shirts. Alongside the paintings will be record covers and a karaoke booth, all showing how music and art has been influenced by the work of 19th century painter John Martin.

The Laing Art Gallery karaoke booth will be available on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 3 - 5pm, between 16 January and 7 March 2010.

The Great British Art Debate is a partnership project between TATE Britain, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service, Museums Sheffield and InIVA. The Great British Art Debate is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, and by Renaissance - museums for changing lives.

Download the Great British Art Debate leaflet here to see what else is coming up at the Laing. (3.16MB pdf)

Things to do for families
A trail for families to do together (also available in the gallery) - click here to download the trail (pdf, 758kb).

16 Jan - 7 Mar 10.

Laing Art Gallery

Exhibition

Collingwood - A Northumbrian Abroad

An exhibition to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Admiral Lord Collingwood’s death at sea on 7 March 1810.

Using objects, paintings and extracts from his letters it explores not only Collingwood’s long naval career away from his home  but also the influence  on him of his lifelong love of Northumberland and the friends and family he left behind.

Live painting conservation - Discovery Museum's art specialists will be working on some paintings within this exhibition - click here for more details.

The exhibition is part of the Collingwood 2010 Festival - visit the festival website here.

23 Jan - 27 Jun 10.

Discovery Museum

Exhibition

China: Journey to the East

China: Journey to the East is a major exhibition from the British museum, revealing the compelling story of one of the world's most important civilisations.

Immerse yourself in 3,000 years of Chinese history and culture and experience the sights, sounds and colours of China as you discover captivating objects both ancient and modern.

Did the Chinese invent pasta? Who is the kitchen God? Are you a goat or a rat?

Take a journey to the East and find out...

CHINA: JOURNEY TO THE EAST. A British MuseumTour supported by BP, a CHINA NOW legacy project.

30 Jan - 9 May 10.

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens