We like a Greggs up north, but a pastry necklace is taking things to another level. Actually the jewellery in James O Jenkins’ Hunting the Earl of Rone is probably bits of wood, but we haven’t had our bacon sandwich yet this morning, and everything looks like food. We’re in the North East for The Social: Encountering Photography. Centred around Sunderland, it’s billing itself as the first festival of international contemporary photography and lens-based media in the area, and we’ve no doubt it is. It’s big enough, that’s for sure.
The Social is running for a month – from 18 October to 16 November – and includes new commissions as well as previously seen material that is being shown at venues across the region. Shipbuilding and the industrial legacy in general is a strong theme. John Kippin’s Ships That Pass will adorn the windows of the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, Tim Mitchell looks at the dismantling of a 20,000 tonne ship in Fish Out of Water, while Simon Roberts is at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and on city billboards with a look at Sunderland residents’ leisure time at places like Doxton Shipyard. Durham, Newcastle and Washington are also hosting their fair share of events and exhibitions. Grim up North?
©Simon Roberts,
The Social_Landscapes of Leisure
Penshaw Skate Park,
Sunderland, July 2013
Tim Mitchell,
Fish Out of Water, 2010
Chris Harrison,
from Jarrabook, 2013
Natasha Caruana,
Fairy Tale For Sale
Arabella Plouviez,
Connected
© Ananda van der Pluijm,
Martin
Chris Harrison,
from Jarrabook, 2013
Daniel Meadows,
from The Shop on Graeme Street, 1972
