insideKENT Magazine Issue 31 - October 2014

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT Kent Year of Art and Culture Leading the culture-led regeneration, Kent's wealth of history and tradition, mixed with fantastic landscapes, draws thousands of visitors from around the world – and it's not difficult to see why. This autumn, the county is offering an impressive programme of festivals, events and exhibitions across its surplus of first-class artsy venues. From museums and galleries to innovative expo spaces, Kent is a prime destination for art and culture enthusiasts. Folkestone Triennial. © Pablo Bronstein: Beach Hut in the style of Nicholas Hawksmoor, 2014. Photographer: Stuart Wilson. Turner Contemporary, Margate. © Visit Kent Lookout – Folkestone Triennial // 30 Aug – 2 Nov 2014 Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery Turner Contemporary, Margate Making headlines across the world, Kent's award-winning Turner Contemporary gallery is a dynamic visual arts organisation that continues to excel in its bid to bring art and culture to the Garden of England. And this autumn the story is certainly no different, as Turner prize-winning artist, Jeremy Deller, conjures up his 'English Magic' in Margate. Supported by the Art Fund and Arts Council England, Deller's UK-wide tour uses English Magic to explore mysterious acts and magical transformations in British society, from its people, myths and folklore to its broad cultural, sociopolitical and economic history. Also exhibiting this season is Kent-born artist, Edmund de Waal; Dutch artist, Krijn de Koning; and numerous emerging artists from Kent, as part of the Platform Graduate Award. www.turnercontemporary.org Celebrated every three years, the Folkestone Triennial is one of the most ambitious public art projects presented in the UK. Set up and run by the Creative Foundation, artists commissioned for this year’s Lookout-themed Triennial include Yoko Ono, Andy Goldsworthy, Pablo Bronstein, Sarah Staton, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Gabriel Lester and Emma Hart, amongst others. This year’s projects will address universal issues such as climate change, sustainability, the environment, technology and communication, as well as focusing on renovating dilapidated areas and creating new social spaces in the town. Highlights include a sustainable rooftop food-themed installation, a wind powered lift that will carry people to the top of Folkestone’s Victorian viaduct, and a monumental beach hut in the style of 18th-century architect, Nicholas Hawksmoor. The Triennial, amongst other contemporary culture outlets, is breathing new life into Folkestone’s Creative Quarter, with shops, cafés and artists’ studios springing up throughout. www.folkestonetriennial.org.uk The Viking House Gallery, Cliftonville The Viking House Gallery is a new cutting-edge development and exhibition space in Margate’s up-and-coming Cliftonville. Opened in May 2014, this beautiful art deco building is just a short walk from the seafront and other local attractions including the Turner Contemporary and the Walpole Bay Hotel. Having used the skills of tradesmen and artisans almost entirely from Thanet and its surrounds, this new space will provide the opportunity for all artists – local, international, emerging and established – to show their work in the light that Turner described as the “loveliest in all Europe”. In an earlier life, the building was used as a Turkish bath and the old iron furnace, with its rust red frontage, has been retained as a reminder of the structure’s heritage. www.thevikinggallery.com The Crown Gallery, Margate A magnificent new art gallery, The Crown Gallery is located in the centre of Margate Old Town and bustling arts quarter. With an evolving exhibition of contemporary paintings, prints, ceramics, photography and sculpture from South Coast artists and artisans, repeat visits to this Kentish gem are a must. Exclusive edition art prints, postcards and canvas art, as well as big-ticket works from the South Coast and London are available. Only 100 metres from the Turner Contemporary gallery, it’s thoroughly recommended for those seeking an afternoon of artistic indulgence. www.thecrowngallery.com The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury This autumn, the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury hosts the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, a unique opportunity to see 60 new portraits by some of the most exciting contemporary photographers from around the world. Through editorial, advertising and fine art prints, the exhibition – which runs from 8th August to 2nd November – explores a range of themes, styles and approaches to the photographic portrait. From formal commissioned images of famous faces to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family, this is one event not to be missed. www.canterbury.co.uk/Beaney Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery, Maidstone Arguably the most iconic child’s toy around the world, Maidstone Museum’s latest exhibition, the Teddy Bear Story, charts the heartwarming story of history's most infamous toy. Running until 1st November, the event traces the history of teddy bears from the original designs to contemporary and designer models. Well-known bears feature, from folk and fairy stories to picture books, film and television,

insideKENT Magazine Issue 31 - October 2014 | Page 26