Divided We Fall

DWF – it’s not all shit . . . says intrepid art hunter Jacqui Pybus (@JacquiPybus) … who tastefully managed to rise above the obvious joke about taking a Number 2 to Beeston …

I do love a good multi-venue event, especially if the venues are new to me – you get double the discovery value. The latest of these to attract our attention is the Divided We Fall series in Leeds – running from 14 to 24 (some venues vary …). A smaller series than originally planned (more events and installations have been rescheduled to March next year, so put it in your diaries), DWF aims to build collaborative links across the arts scene in Leeds. Anyway Saturday found us in art-hunt mode, google maps in hand, plotting a route between 4 of the venues/shows taking place. First up – the easy one to find – Bound is in the Art Library on the 1st floor of the central library (turn left to head through the link to the Art Gallery and STOP! A small display of really interesting and often beautiful pieces, all related to experimental  bookbinding crafts and techniques – many of which are for sale. My only criticism here is that the items are a bit crammed together in the 2 glass cabinets – it’s easy to miss it completely, and the information about the pieces is scant. Some really interesting stuff though!

Next, we got out our google maps and set off to find the Greyspace Gallery. Unfortunately it was closed, which is a shame, as the info we’d seen about the work there by Hondartza Fraga looked perfect for us – mapping, space, travel & home. (hence the little warning above – if you want to go, check for any changes & up-to date info on opening times and dates for the venue in question).

Time for another walk so off to find the Enjoy artspace on Mabgate, snapping and posting various street-art things we found en-route (this was an art-hunt after all). Turns out many of the street-art items were actually linked to the exhibition by Kayleigh Morris on pavement debris … in this case a v particular type of debris – one of the few times been able to say an exhibition is shit – lots of it. Photos of a wide variety of dog debris in situ – apparently the juJu centrepiece shown above should be getting a suitably scaled fly . .  Combined with the bananas outside and the found notes etc, documenting the discarded objects of life – and v interesting to get the background narrative from Kayleigh herself.

From Mabgate, we plotted another walking route and set off to find the LAB on Cross York Street for Experience Error by Rian Treanor, who welcomed us warmly and talked us through the installations. Have to say, this exhibition had some of my favourite pieces of the day. The huge loft space contains a wide range of pieces, video, projection, mixed materials installations, performance art . . . (a human video player – responding to verbal instruction – play, pause, rewind etc).

After a break for a much needed late lunch we set off on the last leg – a number 2 bus took us out to Beeston to venue 4 – the home (literally) of Basement Arts Project’s Bruce & Debs Davies, who curate a number of exhibitions in their house and basement and were also instrumental in developing the DWF project overall. I really liked some of the Garry Barkers interiors in the front room, and the Psycho installation in the cellar was interesting – & confirmed that I was right to stay loyal to the original and not watch the remake! There are other pieces on show here, too many artists to list, but the Facebook page for the series should give you all the info you need. The BasementArtsProject venue is due to open 8-10 pm this Thurs & fri & from noon on Saturday 25th. Hats off to Bruce & Debs and all the collaborators – looking forward to phase 2 in March.

See Facebook and contact @DWFuk for more info!