The Society Of Futopia, a World created by Gareth Barnett (final year illustration student) made it's first and probably not it's last appearance on Tuesday 3rd June at the Ikon Eastside site. It was a great performance not only from Gareth but also the people involved from our uni, you had guts to prance around the way you did! Anyway here is a review by John Barrett...
Review of ‘The Society of Futopia’.
I have just witnessed one of the best events created at BIAD since I arrived here 10 years ago. The performance of Futurpia has been written and created by Gareth Barnett, a final year illustration student.
He has shown real ambition and daring by organising the whole event including constructing masks, costume design, choreography, film, music/sound, hiring of the Ikon Gallery Eastside and the promotion of the event, etc.
This was a rare ‘art college’ event as it really showed how art and design students have built a supportive community for themselves volunteering to assist Gareth with the performance and prepared to push the ‘boundaries’ of live performances.
The theme of Futopia, based around a future of hybrid creatures, was strange, surreal and bewildering but the colour, design and movement was genuinely engaging. The totem masks were reminiscent of Picasso’s cubist design for Diaghilev and Massine. References to the Futurist manifesto were brilliantly juxtaposed with the ‘primitive’ masks and dance.
We really need to encourage this kind of event as it clearly generates new and alternative practices as well making the art college experience a memorable and fun place to study.
To see more of Gareth's work or to contact him check out...
www.themlot.co.uk
www.myspace.com/gazbarnett
