“Women are a drastically under-utilised resource for the UK film industry.” That’s the conclusion drawn by Calling the Shots: Women and contemporary film culture in the UK, 2000-2015, an ongoing Arts & Humanities Research Council funded project, which investigates women as creative practitioners in contemporary UK cinema.

The Institute of Contemporary will celebrate this with Onwards and Outwards, a programme of films made by British women filmmakers over the last 50 years, focusing on those who have excelled in making works of independence and originality. The nationwide programme of screenings, talks and events aims to establish a dialogue around the conditions of production that women face when using the moving image as a means of expression.

Screenings will be accompanied by introductions and Q&As from relevant industry professionals and cultural practitioners such as Joanna Hogg, Laura Mulvey, Carol Morley and Campbell X.

Finishing with a round-up discussion, Onwards and Outwards will raise the profile of key issues and encourage public debate. The programme has been made possible by support from the BFI, awarding funs from the National Lottery.

Onwards and Outwards will run until 10 September at the ICA and until end of December at nationwide venues.

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Tags: BFI, film, ICA, Women

To coincide with Frieze London, one of the world’s leading contemporary art fairs, the ICA has announced a week-long free programme of live events to take place at The Old Selfridges Hotel this October. With Isabel Lewis, Korakrit Arunanondchai, NTS Radio, Siobhan Davies Dance and Rhizome all involved in the project, expect a host of performance, music, art, dance and discussion each day.

Launching the programme on Tuesday and Wednesday, Brooklyn-based dance artist and curator Isabel Lewis, will host a series of ‘occasions’ in partnership with Frieze Projects and Liverpool Biennial, which conjure the ancient Greek symposium where philosophizing, drinking and the erotic were inseparable.  On Thursday evening, New York-based artist Korakrit Arunanondchai, who will also be participating in the ICA exhibition ‘Beware Wet Paint’ (24 September – 16 November 2014) will present an evening performance. On Friday night, the focus will be music with a live event presented in collaboration with ICA’s Associate Artists, NTS Radio. Saturday will see Siobhan Davies Dance present the live movement installation Table of Contents.

ICA Off-Site: The Old Selfridges Hotel, Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 October 2014 at 1 Orchard Street, London, W1H 6JS

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Tags: Frieze London, ICA, Selfridges

The ICA is playing host to a three-day art book fair this week, in association with Claire de Rouen Books. You’ll be able to find publications on a range of themes such as art, photography, fashion and design, and as well as the books themselves, the fair promises to bring zine aficionados, legendary specialists, magazine experts and artist book connoisseurs together with visitors in a unique gathering any book lover will appreciate. Room&Book will be the first art book fair in London to focus exclusively on the role of the book dealer.

Participants confirmed are: Arthur Fournier Fine & Rare, Bookmarc, Christian Flamm, Claire de Rouen Books, Diagonal Press,Ditto Press, Elegantly Papered, Koenig Books, Louis Vuitton Maison Librairie, Luminous Books with Anagram Books, Maggs Bros (Carl Williams and Titus Boeder), Oliver J Wood, Bernard Quaritch Ltd, Simon Finch, Sims Reed, Test Centre Books, The Village Bookstore, 20th Century Art Archives.

For more information head to ica.org.uk.

Tags: Art Book, ICA

The ICA’s exhibition featuring London-based poet and artist David Robilliard’s paintings is now open. The selection of paintings being shown combine figurative elements with text taken directly from Robilliard’s own poems. The evocative prose alludes to intimate sexual encounters and passing infatuations that ultimately conjure an image of 1980s queer London.

The ICA plans to release a new 80 page book to coincide with the exhibition which will include an introduction by Gregor Muir (ICA Executive Director) and main text by Andrew Wilson (Curator of Modern & Contemporary British Art at Tate Britain), as well as host an event on May 2nd where Gregor Muir is joined by Louisa Buck (critic and contemporary art correspondent for The Art Newspaper), Toby Mott (The Mott Collection) and Charlie Porter (Men’s Fashion Critic for the Financial Times) to consider the paintings, drawings and poetry of London artist David Robilliard.

David Robilliard: The Yes No Quality of Dreams, exhibition, Upper Gallery: open until 15 June 2014

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Image: David Robilliard, Life Isn’t Good It’s Excellent, 1987, acrylic on canvas. Courtesy private collection, Frankfurt

Tags: David Robilliard, ICA

Siobhan Davies’s collaboration with the ICA, Table Of Contents, is now open until 19 January 2014. Set out to reflect on the concept of archiving dance itself, the project uses Davies own history as a choreographer and dancer as a starting point. Having worked closely with five dance artists Andrea Buckley, Helka Kaski, Rachel Krische, Charlie Morrissey and Matthias Sperling, Table Of Contents looks to find answers in the way this artform creates a lasting memory, or, if indeed it can. The new body of work comes in the form of a kind of live encounter or exchange, celebrating dance as a unique and interesting way to see the world.

“You always have to push yourself beyond the image others have of you and your work otherwise you are always in the past.” Siobhan Davies, 1982

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Tags: Dance, ICA, Siobhan Davies

With only five years together as a band, the effect that The Smiths have had on music, culture, and if you’re a fan of Morrissey, pretty much anything, is unbelievable. It seems there is an insatiable thirst for more from the infamous four that split 26 years ago – and that is where the Institute of Contemporary Art steps in.

Smithsfest is a two-day festival running this weekend at the Strand gallery, comprised of talks, performance, art and film, with the purpose to survey the artistic and cultural impact of The Smiths. A barber offering Moz-esque quiffs, a Q&A with Saint Morrissey author Mark Simpson and 80s DJ sets late into the night means that this will undoubtedly be the last weekend of any importance.

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Text by Beccy Hill

Tags: ICA, Smithsfest, The Smiths

Tonight, the ICA is hosting a panel discussion on the one and only Guy Bourdin. With his hyper real use of colour and surrealist techniques, the French photographer’s work for the likes of French Vogue and Charles Jourdan managed to strike the delicate balance between provocative, trailblazing and timeless.

Guy Bourdin: A Legacy will not only delve into his long-lasting influence on fashion imagery, but also show rare footage of Bourdin’s cine films. Leading the discussion will be curator and lecturer Judith Clark, Christie’s Director Philippe Garner and Samuel Bourdin, the artist’s only son and Exhibit A: Guy Bourdin co-author. Expect an insightful and interesting look at one of the 20th century’s most prolific image makers.

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Tags: Guy Bourdin, Guy Bourdin: A Legacy, ICA

Iconic is an often overused word, but when someone manages to not only profoundly shape their art form, but also stay relevant 20 something years into their career, the term is more than justified. Opening today at the ICA, Juergen Teller: W00 is an expansive study of the Erlangen-born photographer’s work.

From his black and white images of Kurt Cobain during Nirvana’s tour in 1991 to the provocative nudes of Vivienne Westwood, every honest and intimate portrait by the German photographer, alongside his longstanding collaborations with brands such as Helmut Lang and Marc Jacobs, not only commemorates his longevity as both a commercial and art photographer but also shows that aside from his trademark overexposed photography technique, what really makes a Juergen Teller image is his connection to the individual.

During a preview of the exhibition yesterday, Teller spoke openly about his work process and decades’ worth of pressing the shutter button:

“With every picture you have to be really open and honest about it and tell people what you want to do. I have no idea what I am looking for in an image, it really varies. I have to have complete concentration on the subject, I never have music playing or people standing behind me talking, it drives me crazy. I need the full attention, of their attention to me as I have attention to them, and that’s why it’s powerful and direct in every picture. My way of working hasn’t really changed that much since the beginning, but I have become a lot more careful, project-based and tend to work in series. I am more confident and secure within myself.  I want to explore and see things, I’m curious about life. You only live once, you can’t just be miserable and complain all the time, you have to take risks to do something exciting and that’s what I try to do. You have to fucking go out there and do it.”

Juergen Teller: Woo exhibits at ICA until March 17.

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Tags: Helmut Lang, ICA, Juergen Teller, Kurt Cobain, Marc Jacobs, Vivienne WEstwood, Woo

With his chiseled cheeks bones, laconic style and shifting alter-egos David Bowie was the perfect choice for so many films’ androgynous outsiders. From the icy cool of the Man Who Fell To Earth to the high camp of Labyrinth, his performances are legend.

From 31 August to 2 September the ICA are holding Bowiefest, a celebration of the rock star’s contribution to celluloid both as an actor and a musician.

With screenings of rare documentaries, as well as his most iconic films and with the likes of Alan Yentob, Nic Roeg and Jeremy Deller on hand to talk about Bowie, don’t miss this brilliant chance to get under then skin of a unique performer.

Tags: Bowiefest, David Bowie, ICA, Nic Roeg

Kathryn Ferguson is one of a new breed of filmmakers who cut their teeth in fashion film. Over the past four years she’s moved from making shorts for designers such as Richard Nicoll and Katie Eary to experimental films such as Máthair, a visually startling exploration of her Catholic roots.

Having curated Birds Eye View Film Festival’s Fashion Loves Film strand at the BFI, on Friday Ferguson launches new festival FASH/ON Film with the British Fashion Council

With multiple projects in the pipeline, Belfast born Ferguson is undoubtedly a name to watch. Twin spoke to the filmmaker about her work so far…

What was the initial impetus behind you picking up a video camera?
I first picked up a camera in 2005 during the final year of my Fashion BA at CSM. I was frustrated with the flatness of two-dimensional imagery and wanted to try experimenting with creating immersive visual worlds combining moving image and sound.

How easy did you find the transition between working as a stylist to working as a filmmaker?
My passions pre-filmmaking had always lain heavily in photography and art direction. I dabbled in styling as a way of supporting myself throughout my BA but as soon as I made my first film Tingel Tangel, an experimental dance film featuring Paloma Faith, in 2005 I was sure it was film I wanted to pursue. However at that point I didn’t have the skills or know how to progress. In 2007 I decided to submit this early film to Birds Eye View Film Festival and to my surprise it was chosen for their UK Shorts strand at the ICA. This acknowledgment by them inspired me to throw myself 100% into filmmaking. During this time I made lots of experimental short films leading me to apply for a Masters in moving image at the Royal College of Art in 2009. My time there saw a transformation in my work and as a result have moved further from fashion and more into experimental film. I find film a totally thrilling medium to be working in as the boundaries are limitless. My initial step into moving image via the world of fashion has quickly evolved into a heady desire to tell stories via the medium of film whether it be documentary, music video, short films and beyond.

Your work, such as Máthair is very experimental – can you talk about some of the techniques you use in your work?
Máthair is the film that I feel really defines the area in which I am now most interested. Previous to the RCA, my work had mostly consisted of commissioned based fashion and music projects. The RCA was a fantastic experience as it forced me to work beyond an aesthetic and come up with my own brief and ideas. This was quite challenging to begin with but once I got going I decided I wanted to make a film about my mother but still adopting the visual style I was drawn to which is often creating worlds via montage / collage. I wanted the film to be a mix between the real and the hyper real. The reality of my catholic upbringing in Northern Ireland juxtaposed with an imagined hyper real fantasy version.

Máthair 2011, film stills

Máthairclearly draws on your own Irish background and ideas of faith, but what other ideas or cultural references are you drawn to in your work?
I feel my work seeks to create a sense of immersion and ecstatic experience through narrative and non-narrative experimental film. Taking influence from my background working with fashion designers creating experimental films to encapsulate their seasonal collections, I have developed a strong interest in the relationship between dance and movement, particularly around the tactile surface of fabrics in motion. Through a series of works that glean ritual and quasi-religious encounters, my practice combines elements of performance, religious iconography and symbolism, acknowledging early abstraction through the medium of film.

However, I’m becoming increasingly interested in women’s issues and now feel that my next series of films should be reflecting the female voice.  There needs to be more stories about women told by women.

A lot of exciting work is happening in fashion film, particularly by women, why do you think they’ve become so important both within the fashion industry and film?
I think it’s an incredibly exciting time for film in general, especially as so many women are finally picking up a camera. I’m really interested in how the female protagonist will be represented in fashion film. Generally speaking up until recently the majority of films have been through the male gaze so it will be fascinating to see how women will be portrayed when their image is predominately created and shot by female directors.  Fashion film is a fantastic medium for young designers to showcase their work without the crippling costs of the catwalk and marketing campaigns. It gives them a voice and a way to reach out to the world via the internet.  As it is still a genre very much in its infancy I am interested in its future development.

Tingel Tangel, 2005, film still

Lady Gaga / Dazed Digital, 2009, film still
Richard Nicoll S/S10’2009, film still

How has your own work evolved since your early films?
My early films were visual experiments.  I came from a world, i.e fashion, where image making is driven by an immediacy to create. Now that I’ve moved into other areas of filmmaking I finally feel like I can slow down and concentrate on making films that interest me on a more personal level.

I still feel like I’m only on the first step of my film career. I am very conscious of wanting to tell stories and I’m definitely moving more and more towards both narrative filmmaking and documentary.  High aesthetic used to be the driving force in my work and now I’m very keen to start making films where it’s secondary to a storyline or other people’s stories. Máthair was the first step in that direction for me.  Real people fascinate me, I want to tell real stories but with my own take and aesthetic being applied.

You’ve worked for BEV and are about to go on tour with the British Council – why is it important to you not to be working in isolation as a filmmaker?
My work with BEV was driven by a desire to work with women in general. As a festival, they supported me by showing my first film which is really what kick started all of this in the first place. I’m very keen to work with other women and truly believe films about women made by women are the way forward. I also find the work I am doing with the British Council thrilling, as I will travel the world working with filmmakers and creatives. I think travel is the best way to open your mind and I am sure it’s going to inspire me. Filmmaking as a practice is very immersive and my work as a curator for BEV, the British Council and more recently The British Fashion Council means I meet other people whose work I appreciate and I get to talk to them in depth about their practice.  I also really enjoy working with others whether it’s in a teaching / lecturing role or a project collaboration. I feel being out in the real world conversing with people informs my work as much as experimenting in an edit suite.

What is FASH/ON Film all about?
FASH/ON Film is a new initiative I’ve been working on with the British Fashion Council for the past few months. We’ve been talking about it for a few years in fact but now is the first time everything has come together and been made possible.  It is an initiative that will bring together both emerging and established filmmakers and fashion designers via a series of curated film screenings, Q&A’s, feature film premieres and film mentoring schemes.

What are your ambitions in terms of filmmaking? 
My long-term ambition is to tell stories.  For me 2012 is the year I plan to take the next step towards this ambition. I am currently writing a treatment for a long format documentary film with fellow female filmmaker Elisha Smith-Leverock. We met in Paris at a film festival in October and spent most of the night talking heatedly about women’s issues. We have been working closely on this since and now I feel it’s on the precipices of being realised.

kathrynferguson.co.uk
blinkart.co.uk
whitelodge.tv
britishfashioncouncil.com
backoftheenvelope.britishcouncil.org
thewproject.co.uk

Ship of Promises – Villagers 2010, film stills

Tags: birds eye view film festival, Blink Art, British Council, Elisha Smith-Leverock, Fash/On Film, ICA, Kathryn Ferguson, Máthair, Paloma Faith, RCA, The British Fashion Council, Tingel Tangel

Pierre Thoretton’s film L’Amour Fou is a love letter to memory, art and life reflected through the 50 year relationship between Yves Saint-Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. Filmed a year after Yves Saint-Laurent’s death in 2008, Thoretton followed Bergé during the breaking up of their art collection. Works by Matisse, Goya, Mondrian, all sold at Christies. The dismantling of their collection is the point of departure for an exploration of their relationship and their shared aesthetic world. While Saint-Laurent’s absence dominates the film, Thoretton’s unrivalled access to his archive means his image is renewed through unseen personal photographs by friends such as William Klein and Helmut Newton. L’Amour Fou is also a farewell letter from Bergé to the love of his life and a melancholic ode to a Twentieth Century icon.

L’Amour Fou is at the ICA until 17 November and out on DVD on 21 November.

Tags: Bouicca, Chrities, Goya, Helmut Newton, ICA, L'amour Fou, Matisse, Mondrian, Pierre Berge, Pierre Thoretton, William Klein, Yves Saint Laurent

Few actors have consistently provoked like Samantha Morton. On-screen we’ve seen her skip town for Spain after her boyfriend’s sucide in ‘Morvern Callar’, get everyone talking as Sean Penn’s mute lover in ‘Sweet and Lowdown’ and even take on Marilyn Monroe in ‘Mister Lonely’.

Morton’s ability to mesmerise and disconcert is no less powerful in her 1997 debut ‘Under the Skin’. Here she plumbs promiscuity, masochism and rage as Iris – a young woman who tries to overcome her grief at the sudden loss of her mother through casual sex – pushing her relationship with her sister to the limits. The ICA are screening ‘Under the Skin’ this weekend. It’s well worth a revisit.

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Tags: film, ICA, Samantha Morton, Sweet and Lowdown, Under the Skin