The Contemporary Art Society is delighted to announce a major new partnership with Becks, uniting their long-standing support for contemporary artists. Becks today launched Becks Fusions, a unique art and music fusion project that will run throughout summer 2008 engaging artists, musicians, critics and the general public in the largest scale project of its kind ever undertaken.
Visual art collective United Visual Artists (UVA) and Massive Attack (one of only three UK performances this year) will headline the 2008 Becks Fusions event on Sat 6 September in Manchesters Castlefield Arena. For a chance to attend Becks Fusions register online at www.becks.co.uk
Keri Elmsly from UVA said: “Lots of our work involves bringing art and music together and as a collective we’re firm believers in the intrinsic relationship the two have. This project is great because it really recognises this and offers us the opportunity to present something really new and build on our collaborative relationship with Massive Attack.”
Becks have chosen Manchester as the location for Fusions in 2008 to celebrate its place as one of Britain’s top cultural destinations. The inaugural year of the Manchester International Festival in 2007 signalled Manchester as the obvious choice to host this celebration of art and music. A previous home to Dpercussion and Britain’s first urban heritage park, Castlefield Arena will offer an atmospheric backdrop for this unique event.
Becks are collaborating with the Contemporary Art Society, Britain’s national membership organisation promoting contemporary art. Together they will facilitate and enable artists and musicians to create unique fusion performances in Manchester’s Castlefield arena. Further line-up details will be announced over the summer.
Paul Hobson, Director of the Contemporary Art Society said: “We are delighted to be working with Becks on this ground-breaking project. We are celebrating our centenary next year, and its the perfect way to start the celebrations early, with a partner who shares our longstanding support and commitment to contemporary artists.”
Louise Brown, Sponsorship Manager at Becks said: “Working with the Contemporary Art Society has given us the opportunity and scope to engage with a wide selection of contemporary artists from across the UK. The indispensable input made by the Contemporary Art Society has helped shape the event’s artistic focus, and will make a valuable contribution to delivering what is gearing up to be an amazing event in September.”
Fabienne Nicholas, Head of Art Consultancy of the Contemporary Art Society, who will act as the curator on the programme said: “Beck’s Fusions is going to provide an exciting programme of opportunities for artists and the team at the Contemporary Art Society are really looking forward to discovering and working with new artists and bringing their work to life at the September event. Art and music…the possibilities are endless!”
This year Becks are introducing The Studio at becks.co.uk where the public can take part online. Fabienne Nicholas with John Squire, Peter Saville and Francesca Gavin will form the Fusions panel who will judge all the entries. For the lucky few selected artists, their work will form an integral part of the final Fusions event in Manchester.
Key Event Information
Becks Fusions featuring UVA and Massive Attack
6 September 2008 at Castlefield Arena, Manchester
To attend Becks Fusions register online at www.becks.co.uk
For more information, interviews and images please contact the Becks Fusions press office:
Leroy Harris – 0141 204 6765 – Leroy@materialmc.co.uk
Anne McMeekin – 0141 227 8723 – anne@materialmc.co.uk