Guest writer, Jo Throup (@jojiebean) previews Who is George? The Final Night of Jamie Reid’s Ragged Kingdom Exhibition and a Tour of Temple Works.
After another attack by the freakish weather (leaving the house in blistering sunshine, only to be soaked by near-torrential rain moments later) I stand on the pavement outside Temple Works Leeds. I’m here on another Kill Furby mission, the first time I came to Temple Works was a few weeks ago for Ragged Nights 2 – a punk night in honour of the Jamie Reid exhibition that has been on display for the past month. I left with a hearing impairment and an invitation to take a tour around the whole building. So here I am.
The Ragged Kingdom exhibition comes to a close this Saturday – a grand finale fundraiser in memory of the beloved Temple Works caretaker Brian Bird, and a charity fundraiser for St George Crypt homeless shelter. This will be the second Ragged Kingdom event I’ve been to and the third visit to Temple Works in one month… But what is Temple Works? I’ve lived in and around Leeds my entire life, and it’s only in this past month that I’ve a) established where Temple Works is and b) actually been there – it’s a genuinely fascinating place.
I meet Director of the project, Susan Williamson, at the gate. She has kindly offered to take me on a tour.
Susan: So, how much do you know about Temple Works?
Me: Er… Not much – just that thing about grass and sheep on the roof…
Susan: It’s weird how that whole grass-on-the-roof thing is what everyone hears. It’s probably the least interesting fact about the whole building.
That’s a pretty bold statement to make. Few people put grass on the roofs of their flax mill and then put sheep on top to mow the lawn. How much weirder can a Grade 1 listed building get?
Answer: Pretty weird. Completely mysterious. Sometimes scary.
The Temple Works main space is currently a building site. Its ultimate objective is to become (a very large) Cultural Venue. For the moment, the main space is off-limits as architects and consultants spend frustrating, head-scratching hours figuring out how to rectify the structural damage and how the building is actually… well… still an upright building. Susan is right: sheep and grass are nothing compared to a building that mysteriously defies all logic. Perhaps it’s pure magic holding this building together?
It’s quite apt theory given the spiritual tone of the event set to take place here on Saturday night. The line-up includes Native American spirit dancer, David Lee Rogers – who will be performing in and around two of the Ragged Kingdom tipis set up in the main loading bay. The experimental group Urban Exploration will be collaborating with a poet, and an opera singer (amongst others) in their performance, which will also include using sounds actually created by the Temple Works main space – apparently the building actually breathes, and moves from time to time. These sounds emanating from the main space will recorded for use in one of the performances.
As I lean through the fence to take some pictures of the tipis situated in the main loading bay outside, Susan explains that the spirit dancer has worked with Jamie before and in his performance, he will be leaping out of these tipis.
Susan: I’m told, if he doesn’t come that I’ll have to perform instead.
Me: [Gives quizzical look.]
Susan: Apparently, I’m the closest thing to a Native American [laughs]
Me: [laughs along]
Susan: But I’m actually Canadian.
Me: Oh.
Susan: It’s important we make that distinction.
Me: [Makes notes]
Susan: So, I’ll see you Saturday night?
Yes, definitely. I want to see the mysterious Temple Works come alive again, I want to see a spirit dancer dance in and out of tipis, I want to hear music created by the building itself (with a bit of human help) and I want to see Susan perform in case the spirit dancer doesn’t show up.
Tickets are £5 on the door. The event starts at 7pm. Click here for more details.
So…Will I see you on Saturday night?