Firstsite was founded in Colchester, Essex, in 1994 and is an important centre for exhibiting international contemporary art and innovating education projects that engage the local community with its collection. Among its repertoire are major exhibitions by Antony Gormley, Yoko Ono and Bridget Riley. Louise Bourgeois’s seminal Spider was exhibited at firstsite in 1996, four years before its larger version was held captive by Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall!
This Sunday, 25 September 2011, firstsite opens a major new building to the public, designed by the architect Rafael Viñoly (see above). Spread over 3,200 square metres and bounded by the original Roman wall of Colchester, the new firstsite will include purpose built gallery spaces, learning spaces for children, students and community groups, and a 190 seat auditorium for film screenings, lectures and events.
To celebrate, firstsite has staged a major exhibition, ‘Camulodunum’, the original Roman name for Colchester. ‘Camulodunum’ will attempt to present newly commissioned international works that compliment the town’s rich history and important collection of Roman-British artefacts and other aspects of Colchester’s archaeology. Polish artist Aleksandra Mir will show HELLO Colchester, which links 100 found images to a photograph of a local soldier meeting Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting Colchester’s long history as a garrison town.
Also exhibited is a selection of loaned works that monumentalise the contemporary object, as if it were a future historical record. Among pieces from the Tate, V&A, Arts Council England, Fitzwilliam Museum and Art Institute Chicago, is a screen print of Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup and ceramics by Grayson Perry.
Not to be forgotten is the UK’s largest collection of Latin American art, which is held by the University of Essex, who are also working in partnership with firstsite. To join in the season’s celebrations, they are exhibiting works by Brazilian artist Cildo Meireles and Venezuelan artist Carlo Cruz Diez, whose work will be exhibited throughout the town centre.
Firstsite may have previously been overlooked but its new launch promises to make a mark in history, by acknowledging its own. There is no doubt in my mind that firstsite will be a major contender with other recent contemporary arts institutions outside of London, such as Turner Contemporary in Margate, Nottingham Contemporary, and The Hepworth Wakefield. Moreover, Admission to firsite’s exhibition programme is free to all!
‘Camulodunum’ is open from 25 September 2011–22 January 2012 at firstsite, High Street, Colchester. For more information see www.firstsite.uk.net
Image Credit: firstsite, Rafael Viñoly Architects, Hayes Davidson CGI
LATEST NEWS & COMMMENT
Wood carving flourished in Southern Germany in the late 15th century onwards, resulting in exquisitely crafted devotional sculptures. Today, these figures and reliefs may be found for as little as £5,000, though the best examples command high prices.
Previous
ShareThis | 
Comments
There are currently no comments for this article.
Post a comment