Press Release 23rd September 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stass Paraskos Helps Light Up the Leeds Skyline As part of the Leeds Light Night Arts Festival on Friday 3rd October 2014 celebrated Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos, who died earlier this year, will join a host of world famous artists on the front of the historic Leeds College of Art building in a son-et-lumiere extravaganza. This year Leeds College of Art presents ‘Ways of Seeing’, an interactive projection mapping installation which will bring the Art College’s historic Vernon Street building to life, showcasing the eclectic timeline of art work created within its walls from 1846 to the present day, from current and past students, including Stass Paraskos and other artists including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst. The Light Night celebration will see the premiere of a new interactive story-telling technique from Amorphous Orchestra. Visitors will see incredible moving images of the artists and their works projected onto the 15 metres high building, synchronised to specially composed music. The visual reality of the building will change, shift and ripple, giving the appearance of animated moving blocks as it is arranged by live improvised jazz music emanating from the base of the projection, from renowned musicians Christophe de Bezenac and Chris Sharkey. Celebrating past and present dynamic art works from prominent artists, featuring to name a few: Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst, Marcus Harvey and Stass Paraskos. Leigh Francis, actor/comedian/TV celebrity said:- “I loved being at Leeds College of Art & Design, I still have the same friends that I hung out with then. I still use graphic design a lot. I designed the covers for the first 2 DVDs I had out. I do some of the graphics for the show if Ive got time and I designed all the silly masks for Bo!” Alison Britton OBE, British ceramic artist said:- “Coming from the suburbs of London, it was wonderfully different to be in the heart of Leeds for a year in the sixties, rugged charcoal drawings on bombsites a strong memory, as part of a serious, energetic and exploratory Pre-Diploma in Art and Design course, what is known today as the Foundation Diploma.” Dr Michael Paraskos, son of Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos, said:- “Attending Leeds College of Art was a life changing experience for my father (Stass Paraskos). He said it was Like entering paradise for him, and it was this experience that led him to create the Cyprus College of Art, the first art school in Cyprus. Without Leeds College of Art there would be no art education in Cyprus today. Simone Wonnacott, Principal of Leeds College of Art said:- “It is still incredible to think that our Vernon Street building has been a purpose built art school since 1903, with many of our renowned alumni passing through over the years, including Yorkshire’s Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. We’re all excited here at the College to celebrate the hidden histories of Leeds College of Art, immersed within its walls, in this unique, innovative projection commission for this year’s Light Night.” The show will run from 7.30-10.30pm, with live performances at 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm. You can get involved too, have a go on the interactive drum machine – see how you can move and influence the projection in unexpected and unpredictable ways. Editor’s Notes - Website: leeds-art.ac.uk/news-events/events-exhibitions/2014/10/03/light-night-ways-of-seeing/ • - For more information & images contact: Emma Morris, PR & Communications Officer, phone 0113 202 8044 or email [email protected] • - For a full list of the artists included in this project visit leeds-art.ac.uk/news- events/events-exhibitions/2014/10/03/light-night-ways-of-seeing/ • - lightnightleeds.co.uk/ @LeedsCofArt @LightNightLeeds • - Commissioned by Leeds College of Art, audio visual pioneers Amorphous Orchestra’s collective projects span from the first Star Wars game for Lucas Film in the 1980s to Bafta nominated interactive games using the Microsoft Kinect to the first moving images to be projected on clouds from aircraft in 2014. They create original visual experiences working with cutting edge technology in the fields of human computer interaction and projection mapping. amorphousorchestra.co.uk/ • - Music will be performed on the night by internationally-acclaimed jazz musicians, Chris Sharkey and Christophe de Bezenac. chrissharkeymusic/ rhythmchanges.net/the-team/christophe-de-bezenac/ • Leeds College of Art • Founded in 1846, Leeds College of Art is an innovative institution that has changed the way art qualifications are taught and structured in Britain today. We combine academic and vocational excellence in all our undergraduate programmes. Our focus is to put student’s talents to practical use, so their creativity is channelled towards a successful career or postgraduate study. Our students and staff create a unique community of vibrant, ambitious and deeply creative artists and designers. We are based in Leeds, an internationally acclaimed centre for teaching and learning in addition to being a leading hub for creative and digital industries. leeds-art.ac.uk
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 05:18:42 +0000