Four people have separately mentioned BlackLab to me over the last few weeks, so it feels like the right time to tell you about them. BlackLab is a self-described "visual society" organised by David Oates, Liz Lock and Mishka Henner, based in Manchester. Here's their mission:
"BlackLab is here to revel in images old and new. We want to breathe new life into the presentation of still pictures by experimenting in collaboration with artists, musicians, film-makers and designers. We want to dispense with conventional forms of exhibiting photographs and create spaces in which images can collide and collude with film, soundscapes, slogans and texts."
On Friday they're hosting Trawling the Visual Wreckage, a night of screenings, socializing, and conversation about photography, imagery and film at An Outlet on Dale Street. "Meet the city’s thriving community of bloggers and image-makers (if they show up) and participate in a thrilling raffle for a prize that’s out of this world." Sounds like a great night and an especially good meetup opportunity for the many photobloggers in Manchester. The fun starts at 7:30.
Thanks for posting this, I went along and had a great night, highly recommended. About 70 people crammed into the outlet to watch 40 minutes of a visual mash-up said to be BlackLab's manifesto. This in itself was worth the visit and included scenes from American Movie, from documentaries about William Eggleston, Nan Goldin and Werner Herzog and lots of other great stuff, too much to mention. The night was compared by an anarchic poet (George Chopping?) and ran til midnight. Unlike anything I've been to before.
ReplyDeletePs it was billed as a night for photographers but thankfully had no mention at all of f stops, equipment, networking etc.! Much more interesting than the usual photography events on in manchester.
Glad you enjoyed, Sam. Wasn't able to make it myself, but I'll be looking out for their future events... sounds like they need a bigger venue already!
ReplyDeleteI really like that picture. Do you know who the artist is?
ReplyDeleteIf you click on it, Blacklab gives a source and the occasion of the photo but not the artist. You might get in touch with them via their website if you're curious.
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