As If By Magic...we are now on Facebook!

As If By Magic... now has an event page on Facebook. The marketing marathon continues!

Polyester shocks

Today at work: stitched down some buttons, tacked on some shoulder pads and got several electric shocks whilst ironing polyester shirts.

Starting to worry about the show, not the work, but how the work will be distinguished from everything else in the shop. But I suppose that doesn't matter. The audience will just have to be willing to seek the work out.

Nina, glad to see your mind is still on stitching even when thinking about the lights!

The end of the light trail.

These pictures are taken on a circular journey following the lights around the stairs. I started at from the top of the stairs at the beginning of the hand rail and ended here, at the light stitch (the handrail would be just to right of this picture).

The lights look really lovely to me, I remember when they were first fitted and the stairwell was transformed into some sort of magical grotto.

Following the lights round the shop... starting from the top of the stairs.

We keep all spare fabric, we have bags and bags of the stuff.

Snout!

Great news! Michael Trainor is up for writing a foreword for a publication (if we get funding, fingers crossed). Hooray!

Also, if all goes to plan As if By Magic... will feature in June edition of a-n Magazine. Hooray again!

Meeting

Really excited about the new developments Nina mentioned at the meeting last night...but I'll let her relay them to you!

Busy Day at House of Haynes

Busy day at House of Haynes yesterday, full of students wanting to dress up as children's toys. After talking to my 8 year old nephew last night, I realised that it is actually quite strange that we hire out man sized 'tweetie pie' costumes, it's a popular choice though.

Between serving customers I unpicked Jimmy Saville's waistband, stuffed the horses legs, ironed Justin Hawkin's jumpsuit and brushed a few wigs. I think I've decided on the second piece of work I want to do for the exhibition, it's quite different to work I have done before, but the idea keeps coming back to me. It can be quite difficult to think about this exhibition while I'm at work, especially if it is hectic like yesterday. It's the quiet times, when your hands are active: mending a seam, ironing Ming the Mercelous, when things start to happen, ideas start to form.

I love this picture. Jess came in and took it at the end of my working day. It reminds me how interesting it is to view things through a camera lens. Suddenly a pile of boxes against a sign I'd been walking past all day became significant.

Preparing for the trade fair... Jackie asked me to bag up the costumes and mannequins.

MAPS Festival

As If By Magic... is going to be part of the MAPS Northern Quarter Festival.

We are hoping that there will be room on the flyer for another little flower between Dry Bar and Pop Cafe, with House of Haynes written on it!

Bootylicious

One of Jackie's fantastic creations... always an inspiration.
Hirst Cow, panto style.

..and as if by magic - the shop-keeper appeared!

Looking forward to seeing what work everyone comes up with, should look really good. The shop won't know what's hit it!

House of Haynes

House of Haynes Fancy Dress Hire was born of a eureka moment in 1995 at Manchester Craft and Design Centre, expanding 4 years later into The Coliseum Shopping Centre and again to its current location on Oldham St. A Northern Quarter business through and through! The costumes are designed and made on the premises by Jackie Haynes with the help of the exhibiting artists.

House of Haynes
1st Floor, 32 Oldham St,
Northern Quarter
Manchester
M1 1JN
0161 237 3775

http://www.houseofhaynes.co.uk

Introduction

As If By Magic… was conceived as a reaction to exhibiting work in a white cube gallery space. House of Haynes provides the ultimate antithesis; a uniquely chaotic space positioned in the creative hub of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Using this surreal environment as a point of reference the artists will produce individual pieces of artwork using various areas of the venue, such as changing rooms, staircase, shop window and the costume rails.

All six of the exhibiting artists currently work or have recently worked at House of Haynes and the artwork created will respond not only to the eccentricity of the environment, but also to the practise of dressing up itself. The idea of living out your fantasies and becoming someone else for a night!

The exhibition will be part of the MAPS festival and will run from 26th May - 8th June 2008. The artists involved are Nina Chua, Rachael Kelly, Jo Lewington, Jessica Longmore, Oli Stanion and Mandy Tolley.

This blog page will document the creative process involved in making this exhibition a reality.