The Ikon Gallery on Westside is to be surrounded by people next month in a revival of a centuries-old tradition.
The ‘Clipping the Ikon’ event takes part at the gallery’s building on Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, on Friday 21 February as part of the four-day Birmingham Light Festival.
‘Clipping’ means to form a human chain around a sacred building or place,. The candle-lit, ceremonial chain will form around Ikon between 5 and 7pm, as the sun sets.
The project is being led by Birmingham-based Czech artist Tereza Bušková, who previously ‘clipped’ a church and community centre in Erdington in 2016. A film documenting the event is currently showing at Ikon.
Earlier in the day on 21 February, Ikon will be holding a series of free creative workshops and performances starting at 2pm. These include making bread sculptures and ceremonial lanterns which will be used in the procession to encircle gallery.
Meanwhile, inside the gallery, Ikon will host Illuminating the Invisible – a series of short talks covering the nature of light – from 5.30 to 7.30pm. Warming refreshments will be available from Yorks Café, including traditional Czech recipes.
Westside will be hosting a series of other events during the Birmingham Light Festival between Wednesday 19 and Saturday 22 February, as revealed here. Other events in our area include:
- Wed 19 – Sat 22, from 10am. Roundhouse Birmingham, Sheepcote Street. Free, family heritage-themed craft activities, including lantern-making.
- Wed 19 – Sat 22, from 5pm to 10.30pm. Pushkar restaurant, Broad Street. Born To A Flower set candlelit dinner.
- Wed 19, 6.15pm to 7pm. Roundhouse. Narrowboat ‘Scorpio’ travels along the canal to the CBSO Centre with CBSO harpist Katherine Thomas performing live.
- Wed 19, 6.30pm to 8pm. Snobs, Broad Street. Glow Flow Yoga featuring 90 minutes of yoga to the perfect soundtrack and glow lighting.
- Wed 19, 10.30pm to 3.30am. Snobs, Broad Street. Fluorescent Adolescent Party including UV lighting, face-painting and glasses.
- Thurs 20, 11am to 4pm. Rosies, Broad Street. Vodbull Glowbull Gathering party including glow lighting effects, bubble machine and confetti drops.
- Thurs 20, 6pm to 8.30pm. Meet outside Library of Birmingham. Audio description tour of the artworks for anyone with a visual impairment.
- Thurs 20, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Roundhouse Birmingham. Neon Paddle. Kayak along the canal with glowsticks lighting the boats.
- Thurs 20, 6.45pm – 7.30pm/7.45pm – 8.30pm. Roundhouse. Introducing The Roundhouse by Candlelight involving courtyard tours.
- Fri 21, 1pm to 3pm. The Mercian, Broad Street. Brush and Glow With It. Glow-in-the-dark painting for children and families.
- Fri 21, 6pm to 8.30pm. The Mercian, Broad Street. Artsy Party’s 80s Sip and Paint Party.
- Sat 22 (as Wed 19). 10am to 4.30pm. Roundhouse Birmingham. Family craft activities.
- Sat 22 (as Wed 19). 5pm to 10.30pm. Pushkar. Candlelit dinner.
Visit this page for more information about the Birmingham Light Festival.
Main photo: Artist Tereza Buskova at Ikon Gallery.
ENDS
