House of the Beasts

Here’s a wonderful looking exhibition for anyone fascinated by animals and their relationships to human habitats and histories. This is an exhibition called The House of the Beasts, at Attingham House in Shropshire. It is part of the contemporary arts programme by the National Trust. Curated by Meadow Arts, there are works by artists Mariele Neudecker, Matt Colishaw, Nina Saunders and many more. It’s on until 15 July. The Unextinction Machine will try to travel there to get fuel for its imagination. It’s only imagination and working together that will stop the destruction of biodiversity.

Still undecided but still not on view.

Animal Within is an artwork installation made specifically for three months display in the Anglican Chapel in Nunhead Cemetery, South London. Unfortunately the piece has been removed from public view until further notice having shocked and disturbed several visitors during the two days it was on view through the locked gates. The artwork also delighted and intrigued many cemetery visitors who have specifically spoken to the artist Brian McKenzie expressing regret at its hasty removal by Southwark Council. Far from scaring or shocking visitors, the piece is intended to encourage viewers to contemplate the animal nature of humanity. Here’s a picture showing the central figure; out of shot each side in the chapels wings are his bedding and feeding areas.

Cows have feelings

We (Megan and Bridget McKenzie) have spent most of the last 4 days acting as Daisy the Cow in a pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk, which raised funds for Bold Vision. The hired cow costume came with a head that was impossible to see out of, so we had to abandon the headpiece and make do with ears, nose, fringe, false eyelashes and face paint. Daisy had a fairly central role in the story, evoking lots of empathy, as she was going to be eaten by Giant Pickles. Abandoning the concealment of the headpiece meant lots more expressive faces, affective gestures and engagement with the audience, who really really felt for the poor cow. Funny then, to see a news item that cows have best friends and get stressed when they are separated.

Animal Within

Brian has created a sculptural installation for the old ruined Chapel in Nunhead Cemetery in South London called Animal Within. It’s planned to be there for 3 months from 5 January 2012. Brian will soon post to tell you more, but why not just go and see it for yourself.

A quick update on Saturday 7th Jan: Animal Within was installed for one day and caused a bit of a stir. Lots of people loved it and spread the word, so lots more people are turning up today to see it. However, after two people complained that it is too scary for children it has been currently removed from view. What a shame. Read more on this post, which has a photo of the main figure. I hope people might feel strongly enough about this untoward removal of an artwork that they will contact the head of cemeteries for Southwark Council and make a plea that the decision could be reconsidered. You can also leave a comment here on this site.

Night of the Beasts happened!

The Night of the Beasts Winter Solstice parade took place on 22 December. It was a big crowd, perhaps more than 100 people. It was also pretty noisy and there were all manner of flying, crawling and growling creatures, some entirely fantastic and some bearing some resemblance to reality. The pictures here are by Jonathan Goldberg who is working on a fantastic photographic portrayal of Transition Towns. The Night of the Beasts was organised by the Unextinction Machine with the Hill Station cafe and Transition New Cross.

Here are some more pictures on Flickr. If you took any good ones please let us know (bridgetmcknz@gmail.com) or just post them on the Flickr group Telegraph Hill Visions.

Solstice is approaching.

The days are drawing shorter and shorter. Very soon it will be the least light day of the year and to celebrate this and the returning of longer days, people in the New Cross, Brockley, Nunhead and Telegraph Hill area of South London are reviving and re-inventing the ancient local “Night of the Beasts” parade. This years solstice falls on Thursday December 22nd. All are welcome to join in, either starting at New Cross Library at 4.30pm or meeting at the Telegraph pub, Dennetts rd. SE14 from 5pm to then parade with musical accompaniment, through the streets up to The Hill Station for refreshment and wassailing. Keep in the spirit and keep warm by dressing in a beastly theme, bring a pet or a cuddly toy or carry a lantern to help light our way. There are preparatory making workshop sessions where you can help build a beast or make a costume element for yourself or kids; at the Narthex Hall in St. Catherines Church on Kitto rd. right behind the the Hill Station on Sat 17th Dec. from 11.30 to 4 and at New Cross Library Sun 18th Dec. from 11 to 5. But most of all come and join the parade.

Singers and musicians are invited to bring instruments to ad lib music on the parade, then to lead singing of traditional wassail carols, or songs celebrating animals, or the turning of the year. There will be a keyboard, guitar amp and mic.

http://transitionnewcross.org/events/

http://www.thehill.org.uk/

The Night of the Beasts

The Unextinction Machine may have disappeared to do its work elsewhere but a great crowd of animals is making a come back to the Telegraph Hill area. Reinventing the old forgotten tradition of this area, just as the Garlick Man was rediscovered for the Summer Solstice, there will be a Winter Solstice celebration. On the evening of 22nd December, there will be a Night of the Beasts parade. Everyone is invited to dress as an animal, wear a beasty headdress or mask, or hold an animalistic sculpture, bring a cuddly toy or walk your pet dogs or polecats, and bring your lanterns and your musical instruments. Meet at the Telegraph pub at 5pm, a cheer at 5.30 pm at the moment of the turning of the year, then set off for an illuminated musical parade around the streets, ending at the Hill Station for wassailing, eating and drinking.

The winter solstice relates to animals because in ancient times it was the time of year when animals were slaughtered for meat supplies to last through the winter. In Finland, the Sami sacrificed animals for the sun-goddess Beiwe to eat. In Mali, they celebrate the arrival of humans in the Ark of the World, full of animals to populate the earth. The Hopi of North America bless their houses and all their animals. In Sussex, villagers would go to the orchards and wassail the bees and apple trees. We don’t know exactly why the people of Telegraph Hill celebrated the Night of the Beasts, but documents recording the existence of the ceremony have been recently discovered by the curators of the Nunhead and District Municipal Museum and Art Gallery.

To make sure lots of amazing animals will show up, artists are invited to gather and show people how to create masks, headdresses, furry costumes, beasty lanterns, or other wondrous creations. Feel free to drop in to this workshop. This will be 11.30-4.00 on 17th December in the Art Room (behind the Narthex) in the Telegraph Hill community centre.

Alternatively, if you want to get really stuck in and learn how to make carnival structures, you can attend two workshops at New Cross People’s Library. On Sat 26th Nov, 12-5 you can draw and design your animal. On Sun 18th Nov, 11-5, you can build your animal, working with a carnival artist, Jessie Easter and others. If you want to volunteer and learn more about carnival arts, you can attend a one off ‘train the trainer’ workshop on 3rd Dec with Jessie, from 2-5.

A leg of the parade will set off from New Cross Library on the 22nd Dec and join the crowd in Telegraph Hill.

For more information, contact Bridget on bridgetmcknz@gmail.com

We’d also like to hear from anyone willing to write a funny wassail song, with verses celebrating different animals, for everyone to join in singing.