21 November 2007
Tatton Park Biennial 2008
Tatton Park Biennial 2008 is a new contemporary art event for
the UK. Launched during Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08 and
supported by Arts Council England, Northwest; Cheshire County
Council; The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA); The
National Trust; Tatton Park; Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08 and
Tatton Park Trust, the Biennial will be staged from May to
September 2008.
Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing at the NWDA, says:
‘The NWDA is pleased to be able to support this innovative new
event at Tatton Park. England’s Northwest is a culturally dynamic
region and our artistic offering is world class. The Tatton Park
Biennial is a unique opportunity to marry this creative talent with
Cheshire’s garden heritage. This will be a much anticipated
flagship event during Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ’08.’
Brendan Flanagan, General Manager at Tatton Park, adds: ‘I have
been looking forward to 2008 for sometime now. There is so much
that will be happening in the region, but for me, the highlight
will be the first Tatton Park Biennial, which opens a new window on
our gardens and their collections, giving heritage a contemporary
edge and enlivening the space.’
Curated by Danielle Arnaud and Jordan Kaplan from commissioning
group Parabola, the 2008 Biennial theme is Botanical Collections
and Collectors. 30 new commissions from artists, performers and
writers including: David Blandy, Lisa Cheung, Gayle Chong Kwan,
Faye Claridge, David Cotterrell, Jo Coupe, Nicky Coutts, Tessa
Farmer, Anna Hart, The Little Artists, Heather & Ivan Morison,
Jacques Nimki, Paulette Phillips, Simon Pope, Abigail Reynolds,
Manuela Ribadeneira, Shane Waltener and Simon Woolham will develop
new work in response to Tatton Park’s gardens, investigating the
legacy of collections, collectors and the designed landscape amid
current issues of climate change and globalisation.
Curators Danielle Arnaud and Jordan Kaplan continue: ‘We are
thrilled to have been selected to curate the first contemporary art
Biennial, and hope to offer something thought-provoking and vibrant
by bringing to Tatton Park artists whose practices will challenge
expectations and preconceptions about contemporary art.’
The 2008 Biennial supports the work of emerging and mid-career
artists through a commissioning process that reveals the history of
the Park and is a launch pad for future events that will further
understanding of exceptional artistic practice within the
laboratory of this National Trust property.
With up to 6 semi-permanent works, 12 evolving commissions, and
a substantial programme of tours, performances and talks that lend
further depth to the grounds, the Biennial will reflect the
historical significance and contemporary relevance of Tatton Park.
A specially curated film programme and an active Education and
Access programme will extend to major cities, taking in a range of
new visitors through specially devised and targeted schemes. A
full-colour publication with commissioned essays, a novella by
Giles Waterfield and an artist’s multiple will be produced for the
opening of the Biennial.
For more information about artists and updates about commissions
and events, please visit www.tattonparkbiennial.org
or contact the curators via: info@tattonparkbiennial.org
-end-
Note to Editors:
Tatton Park is managed and financed by Cheshire County Council on
behalf of the National Trust.
This impressive historic estate receives in the region of
750,000 visitors every year all of whom come to enjoy its Georgian
Mansion, Tudor Old Hall, award winning gardens and 1930s rare
breeds farm. The 1,000 acre deer park is home to Red and
Fallow deer and the estate also boasts speciality shops, adventure
playground, restaurant and year-round events programme.
For further information contact:
Vicky Wilby, Marketing Co-ordinator, Tatton Park
vicky.wilby@cheshire.gov.uk
01625 374417