Last month I was fortunate enough to see a marvellously humble and modest little play, tackling one of the oldest societal issues of our collective human history.
A Musical, no less.
The story of a young Jewish guy from Jerusalem called Uri who moved to London was performed live at God’s House Tower in Southampton.
Please feel free to read my review or even hear from the man himself in an interview.
A recent hate crime in Southampton has shocked the local community to the core. Or certainly, those communities most socially conscious of diversity and LGBT rights.
The incident was a ridiculous own goal from suspects who are presumably natives or local to the city. The story has gone national with consequences of infamy that can only be damaging to those proud of Southampton. Or equally those hard-working people behind the cultural quarter, who tirelessly strive to raise the cultural and artistic profile of our home city.
The incident was first published by the NST theatre advising people of the resulting cancellation. Then the local echo ran it as a story. Naturally widespread national coverage resulted in the Beeb giving us their two cents.
Arguably a pattern from previous events of a similarly Philistine nature.
[Featured image photo courtesy of Dave Hubble]
So last Sunday night in Orange Rooms was special. For those that don’t know it; Orange is the jewel of Southampton’s prestigious Bedford Place crown. When you head there, you expect the usual hustle, bustle and dancefloor antics but tonight really felt a little bit different.
Seeing a stage full of hip hop performers as you walk through the doors is not unique or unexpected in Orange Rooms or even Southampton. However, the live spectacle of creative energy on display tonight would likely be a first time experience for anyone. The interaction of Live art London painting a canvas to music in motion with seamstress Ieva Poriete sat at the sewing machine, plugging away, singing to the lyrics and dancing along to the music, is a very unique and entertaining tour de force. Musical accompaniment comes in the form of several upcoming local music artists like Shannon Baker and Daniel Eagle all contributing to the Riskology Karma album launch. It was this impromptu choreography that had me thinking I had walked into a music video being filmed live. Indeed, there were camera crew to support this theory.
However, on closer inspection after a conversation with the night’s promoter, Mr J Fashole the event operated on a deeper artistic level.
So the artist painting the canvas has the medical condition synesthesia, where the person can see noise in colours and thus reconstructs this sensation in a visual, artistic context. Then the seamstress takes the content of that canvas and expresses it in the form of clothing. The process resting as a backdrop amid the live music is entertaining enough but as the event goes on, the synchronicity of the varying mediums of art begins to combine into some sort of cathartic circus. At first seemingly chaotic and divided but coming together to work under one huge narrative of expression.
I would say this effort gives Orange Rooms an almost bohemian glow tonight, slowly acquiring their own Arthouse credentials that will put them up there with… well, the Arthouse.
Disclaimer: The soundtrack to the video above was not a live recording from the album launch and added from Riskology’s Soundcloud, due to technical difficulties recording live.
Recently I have noticed two separate incidents of mindless vandalism against public displays of art.
Both within a relatively short time.
Both within an even shorter distance.
The new ‘cultural quarter of Southampton‘ has been host to many examples of art and music and even increasingly more so since the completion of the million pound NST theatre complex.
Even before the arrival of homogeneous mainstream food franchises masquerading as symbolic multi-culturalism… There has always been a naturally occurring homegrown bohemia in the form of local businesses like Belgium & Blues and Mango. But none more dedicated to the truly artistic idiom than the Art House.
Somewhere along the story, the corporate franchises, local businesses, the council and the will of Southampton’s artistic community joined forces and made something wonderful.
The conclusion to this is that many good things now happen in Southampton, in the name of ‘art’.
Now, to my point: Over the last week or so, I have seen two incidents of seemingly mindless destruction of inoffensive artwork.
EXHIBIT A:
The panel painted on the wall outside the Art House seems to have incited unwarranted destruction from some angry philistine:
EXHIBIT B
These cheerful patrons were minding their own business.
Were they mouthing off?
Or were they looking at somebody the wrong way?
Years ago our multi-colourful rhino trail took a bit of a battering too.
I am not saying Southampton high street is without any history of drunken anti social behavior. That would just be ridiculous but in the rise of the new cultural dawn… here we see elements of philistine mentality.
It is far too early to say but at the risk of sounding dramatic, continued destruction of public artworks.. is perhaps an early warning sign of of the rising tide of fascism?
Or just the usual Friday night piss head taking out their frustrations on something they don’t understand?
OR…. (*Spoilers* -cliche ahead) .. BOTH!?
[*Photos courtesy of Dave Hubble and Cat Eliza T )
OK. So it’s been a few months since I’ve posted but now is good a time as any because I get to introduce the talented illustrations of Mike Brown, all thanks to his spanking new website ( available here).
Mike has been writing, performing and generally living music, art and culture for years. Browners has been running and playing live music events for nearly a decade now. He also does the illustrations for them, hence why he now has a website. The latest event is held weekly and you can attend here in Southampton.
Incidentally, if you are ever looking for free live music in Southampton then please feel free to join the local community group on Facebook.
Rant &Rave 