As If By Magic...

Farewell!

2008-09-15T11:56:00.004+01:00

This blog is now closed, however it will remain online to allow the work to continue to be viewed.
Myself (Jessica Longmore) and the other artists involved, Nina Chua, Jo Lewington, Rachael Kelly, Mandy Tolley and Oli Stanion would like to thank the following people who helped make 'As if by Magic...' a reality: Firstly, Jackie Haynes for providing us with the venue for the exhibition and supporting us through the whole process; Tim McConville for photographing the exhibition and also a particular thank you goes to Nina Chua for project managing the exhibition.

Nina Chua

2008-06-19T11:54:00.000+01:00

Untitled, 2006
Wax and debris

Jessica Longmore

2008-06-13T16:00:00.001+01:00

Sparrow, 2008
Mixed Media

Mandy Tolley

2008-06-13T15:58:00.002+01:00

Green Bird, 2008
Computerised embroidery and screen print on vintage fabric.

Rosy Lips, 2008
Digital print, screen print, computerised embroidery and hand embellishment.

Foxy Beach, 2008

Digital print, screen print, computerised embroidery

Oli Stanion

2008-06-13T15:52:00.003+01:00

Sunday Best, 2008
Fashion / Costume design

Rachael Kelly

2008-06-13T15:48:00.003+01:00

Hang-ups and Cover-ups, 2008
Nina Chua
Textile installation

Who Are You?, 2008
Rachael Kelly
Collection of objects in display case.

Who Are You?, 2008
Collection of objects in display case.

Nina Chua

2008-06-13T15:45:00.002+01:00

Hang-ups and Cover-ups, 2008

Textile installation

Jo Lewington

2008-06-13T15:42:00.004+01:00

‘Can you remember the promise of being free?’, 2008
380 sheets of printed paper

Jo Lewington

2008-06-13T15:36:00.005+01:00

‘Hooked to the silver screen’, 2008

Digital film, 4.5 minutes

Jessica Longmore

2008-06-13T15:30:00.003+01:00

Ironing Board, 2008
Mixed Media

...magic happened!

2008-06-04T13:07:00.001+01:00

The first thing to catch my eye at the private view was up on the drying rail in-between the wig hangers. Jess’s bird took me straight back to my childhood to a cartoon strip in my dad’s newspaper where every day a bird was hidden somewhere in the cartoon and you had to find it.
This made me realize that this exhibition has a childlike element of Hunt The Thimble about it as you have to seek out the exhibits which don’t jump out at you as they do in a conventional setting Washing day is mainly on Monday, so the birdie gets surrounded by various wigs hung up drying: an ideal habitat for a creature probably made from the same nylon as the wigs!
We’ve been really busy recently completing orders taken from other fancy dress shops at a trade show and on Wednesdays in the shop, I was on the machine, Ali cutting out and Jess fusing and pressing at the ironing board. I thought Jess was quite happy doing this job until I saw that my ironing board had been attached to the ceiling with chains in such a convincing way that that is where it’s staying. Jess - you should’ve said something if you’d had enough of the pressing!
I headed for my comfort zone/ sewing machine to put my own piece up and there it was, Jo’s intricately hand cut topographical landscape of the Peak District placed in probably the most busy place in the shop and guess what? It’s not even glued together! This is a challenging piece of work which gives insight into Jo’s personality in a very subliminal way. Jo is the only person who I’ve ever seen sat on the floor in the shop amongst the fallen pins, wig hair-balls and off-cuts of fabric so I wasn’t surprised to see her rushing water video nestled down in amongst the zebra and tomato costume.
Mondo Mando, in the blue changing room is a true Mr. Ben experience where you step in and get taken on an adventure into Mandy’s World of beautifully embroidered unique creatures doing strange things on psychedelic backgrounds. I especially like the role the changing room mirrors play as they draw you in for a closer look, when the curtain is partially drawn back.
Over to the usually cluttered window, which has been stripped bare of everything except the glass and the signage, to Rachel’s two idiosyncratic boxes of highly personal items which give you the impression of an introvert until, like I did, you get an impression that in that fairy tale way, when the shop is closed, the boxes sprout legs and start doing high kicks all along the window ledge. Not only that, but did Nina really artfully arrange the display dummies on the floor like that or did Rachels leggy boxes boot them out of the window and throw some cloths over them?
Rachel must have a soft spot for Oli’s work as his is the only other piece occupying some window space, albeit the top right-hand corner. This piece of work, a beautifully designed, cut and constructed flying angel of a coat, accompanied by stunning photographs of his muse, Jess, towers overhead, much like Oli himself. Who would’ve thought that this time last year, he was knocking out bloomers (amongst other things!) in his second year of college!
Nina’s second piece; what a discovery, the lung of the building! I’ve asked my landlord not to bother fixing the plaster on the ceiling which came down over a year ago after some heavy rain because Nina has made a feature of it. I would feel a bit spooked out if I had anything to do with the removal of any vital organs, even if it did only belong to a building. For years to come, people will flock to see the black bag attached to a hole in our very attractive ceiling, inflate and deflate, all on its own, no pumps or wind machines: just a naturally occurring breathing phenomenon. I think Nina can take the credit for this as part of the work because if she hadn’t put the bag up there, we never would’ve known about the breathing....
Last but not least and even smaller than the bird is Nina's 3rd piece. A dim sum- looking ball of paraphernalia from Nina’s own studio, held together with wax a neatly placed on the edge of the cutting table, normally a scene of total chaos, the very point where retail outlet meets workroom. I take this as an acknowledgment from Nina, hopefully on behalf of everyone else who works there too, that the shop has to be the way it is because of the variety of jobs that need to be done all on top of each other!
I hope that the concept of this exhibition can be toured ‘Coming to an unlikely venue near you!’ -maybe to Berlin, where everyone seems to have a fixation with. I can see it in a Supermarket or a Bookshop, anywhere really.
I also hope that we can let this exhibition run for a couple more weeks to make sure that everyone can get to see it and also to give the shop chance to ebb and flow around the exhibition.
Thankyou to everyone involved: it’s a great job done well.

as if by magic opening III

2008-06-02T13:01:00.002+01:00

as if by magic opening! II

2008-06-02T12:57:00.001+01:00

as if by magic opening!

2008-06-02T12:17:00.004+01:00

One week after the opening, here are images from the exhibition- which continues for another week until June 7th..

2008-05-25T22:47:00.004+01:00

Well, no one ended up sleeping at House of Haynes although it has been a very long day of installing work. The exhibition is looking great but we will all be up early tomorrow morning to finish before the opening.
At the start of today I think most of us were apprehensive about the tight schedule for installing work but actually the process has been much the same as with any other exhibition, debate over space, compromise, anxiety and the pressure of a looming deadline. With this exhibition though, we have the advantage of knowing the space really well and that is a real luxury.

with a certain degree of trepidation

2008-05-25T08:23:00.002+01:00

It is very early on Sunday morning and I am just about to set off for House of Haynes...to create some work.

Due to the nature of my practice, I generally rely on creating spontaneous pieces of sculpture in the exhibition space. This puts a certain amount of pressure on today, especially as everyone else has to pop in at some point to install their work, and we may end up clambering over each other and getting stressed. I think it is quite likely that I will have to sleep at House of Haynes tonight if no magic happens early on.

Anyway, here goes....

ye of little faith- restored!

2008-05-24T22:37:00.008+01:00

In the last few days I've been working on a piece thats taking longer than expected. Tonight we met to clean the costume shop, ingesting bleach, peanuts and fig rolls we found lost things (it seems Nina's been searching for!-) a kilt, superman's leggins and a dusty wonderwoman.

The space looks good, its been freed up, we're able to imagine how our work may be in amongst everything, my faith restored after my momentary panic this morning.

I feel excited.. the combination of our six ways of working will be great to see!

(Image: Dovestone Resevoir, taken where my film to be shown in the exhibition was made.)

Introducing the artists...

2008-05-23T15:41:00.003+01:00

Nina Chua studied Embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University graduating in 2002. Since 2004 she has worked as a freelance artist, exhibiting and teaching artist workshops, for Urbis, Manchester Art Gallery, Chinese Arts Centre and many others.

Her work is predominately textile based. Recent exhibitions include Boutique a group show at the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester and Black and White, Love and Hate a solo textile installation and live art event at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle.

She is based in Manchester and has worked part time at House of Haynes since 2001.

Rachael Kelly’s degree was in Interactive Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, finishing in 2002. Since then she has created and worked on her own accessory design/making company named The Millionaires Club.

Her practice is very fashion influenced and is mainly concerned with the personal projected 'image', using photographic performance and site specific installation.

She has worked at House of Hayes for 3 years.

Jo Lewington graduated from BA Embroidery in 2007. She is currently working on a commission for CN4M (community network for Manchester) considering social networks, specifically employment and local economy. Her practice is focused upon an understanding of movement and our relationship to the space we inhabit. Whilst studying in Norway in 2006, she produced installations exploring time through the connotation of making knots, and her work has been closely linked to the sea and water.

Jo Lewington now works predominantly with film and drawing. She is based at Bankley Studios, Levenshulme and has worked at House of Haynes since November 2007.

Jessica Longmore completed a degree in Textile Design in 2002. Since then her work moved away from textiles, towards sculpture. She graduated from an MA in Fine art at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2007 and has recently exhibited in School of Art at Galleria FAFA, Helsinki and Transition at Holden Gallery, Manchester.

Jessica’s work involves spontaneous sculptural responses to the environment she finds herself in. The work often has psychological references, reflected through the interaction of contrasting forms. She is currently based in AWOL studios in Ancoats.

Jessica first started to work for House of Haynes in 2001 and has worked there on and off ever since.

Oli Stanion graduated from a degree in Fashion at Salford University this Summer. His final collection is entiled Sunday Best and takes its inspiration from the English Countryside. Oli will be showing illustrations relating to his fashion collection as part of the exhibition.

Mandy Tolley. After studying Embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University from ’99-2002, Mandy Tolley became Artist in Residence at City College, Manchester on the Arts Council’s Setting Up Scheme.

During this time her textile work has developed combining digital print with screen print and computerised embroidery to translate ideas drawn from sketchbooks, photographs and found imagery, concentrating on bright colours, bold images and kitsch qualities. These fabric pieces are often worked into by hand using stitch, quilting and embellishment, producing three-dimensional characters as well as textile art pieces. Each art piece depicts an individual story; an insight into an experience, memory or fictional feeling.

Mandy has worked on and off at House of Haynes for over four years.

Can't get to the fridge...

2008-05-23T11:36:00.001+01:00

Bang..Wack...Crash...Zap...

2008-05-23T11:33:00.000+01:00

Booking tags

2008-05-23T11:16:00.000+01:00

One of House of Haynes' organisational systems

Discomfort zones and anchors adrift!

2008-05-21T04:17:00.001+01:00

No, it wasn’t that bad really. It went far better than expected as I was lucky enough to have a water birth and only took form 2.30am til 9.07am from beginning to .. Beginning! I did manage to get some work done too in-between contractions whilst I was at home, its good to do something absorbing to take your mind off things and more interesting than a tens machine. The midwife who was with us thought so and is hopefully bringing her artist son to see the exhibition. Hope to get the piece finished in time for the private view. How is everyone else getting on, I wonder?

...Serafina appeared!

2008-05-19T08:38:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Jackie and Andrea, Serafina was born at 9.07 yesterday morning! She weighed 7lb 12oz and Mother and baby are said to be doing well!

I can't believe Jackie was blogging only hours before giving birth!

Comfort Zones and Anchors

2008-05-17T08:13:00.001+01:00

Comfort Zone.
Since a business advisor came to give my business the once over two years ago, he indicated that I should come out from my comfort zone, that is from behind my sewing machine, and concentrate on other areas of my business which are equally as important as the designing and making - which I can do like water off a duck’s back .i.e.marketing, presentation and other things which need doing but don’t appeal as much. He was right of course.
This made me realize how comfort zones play a big part in life and how you interact. On a scale of 1 to 10, if 1 indicates someone with a very small area in which they are prepared to maneuver and 10 for someone prepared to go to any lengths to do anything, I realize that with my work, I have, over the last 15 years, shrunk mine right down from 10, when I would make anything for anyone, to maybe 2, where I only make what I am prepared to make strictly on my own terms. So, no, I won’t make you a wedding dress, get lost, make your own and no, I won’t make you a foundation garment to disguise your hairy arms because you want to dress like a ‘lady’. Take your misogyny elsewhere. No I don’t do alterations and I will not even pick up my scissors for less than £30. I mean all this nicely, of course. On the other hand, you can hire an individually designed and made fancy dress costume, not available anywhere else anywhere nearby for a mere £30 and you even get a wig! If you have your own fancy dress shop outside the Manchester area, you can pick a costume from my Double-Take Costumes range, no minimum order, and I will make up it specially for you.
Anchors.
Around the same time, I found myself being psychoanalyzed to make sure I was of sound mind for TV Show, Project Catwalk. This sort of self-searching doesn’t usually interest me but nevertheless, it made me realize that in times of duress, it is natural to cling to your anchors to get you through, your anchors being the everyday things within your comfort zone.
With all this in mind, I thought I’d come up with a piece for the exhibition which could be placed directly in my comfort zone, whilst clinging to my anchors during the time of duress that is labour pain, if I can get the timing right! My due date was on May 15th.

bear gorilla zebra

2008-05-10T20:21:00.003+01:00

Today I took some photographs sat on the floor exploring down there. From just the bottom of the costumes I know what they are- we all would. But this is our collective experience of the shop. This space exists in our minds as we work there. Nina and Jess have both discussed how our experiences of the shop may be very different. Customers will have perceptions and to some people the space wil not exist at all if they have never been- it is a dead space- empty.

When I began to work in the costume shop I made whole lists of every costume and where it was positioned- a dictionnary/catalogue of everything. Perhaps this was partly through compulsive nature- trying to be accurate, or informed. Or not to leave myself in a position where I have no answer.

turning point

2008-05-10T20:09:00.004+01:00

I sat on the windowsill in House of Haynes yesterday, thinking. Sometimes it is easy to become trapped by your own ideas. Nina recalled just having seen work of artist Julie Del Hopital on the Arttranspennine08 project website. Her starting point begins from 'the obsession of two animals, the cow and the whale.' http://atp08.blogspot.com/2008/01/julie-del-hopital.html Nina quoted: '[my] art practice is not meant to elude answers, the work is restless.' It pulled somewhere inside me. An acceptance of whatever comes to you, that which may/ or may not be consciously decided. The way we have to work depends largely on trust in yourself and allowing the strange puzzle of pulls that arise to develop.

Not a great deal is always needed to find the crux of what it is you are truelly looking to explore. I am trying to let go of what is not necessary. My initial idea for the exhibition seems too much now, it is too weighted. I will see in the next days if the film I wish to develop will work. What I am realising is I have been grasping my need to create in my clenched fist since I graduated- as soon as I turn my fist to the floor and release my fingers that creativity falls away. I would like to let ideas rest gently on the flat of my palm, not trapping them, and in turn they will not fall if I relax. We are always chasing things we cannot see.

Thought Universe

2008-05-06T11:06:00.003+01:00

We are very excited to announce that Mark Pilkington from Thought Universe will be performing at our Exhibition Preview. The Preview will be from 3pm - 6pm on May 26th (Bank Holiday Monday) and Mark's set will begin at 5.30pm.

2008-05-05T22:59:00.001+01:00

In response to 'Where Studio Meets Gallery'

2008-05-05T15:49:00.003+01:00

In response to Jess' post 'Where Studio Meets Gallery':

When Jackie first suggested House of Haynes could be used as an exhibition space it was with some bewilderment that I acknowledged the possibility. Many months and two gallery exhibitions later it seemed not only plausible but logical and exciting; a challenge to make work for a space so far removed from that of a white cube gallery.
At this stage I had not noticed the similarity between House of Haynes and the space Mandy and I inhabit as our studio. The logic was less to do with this and more with the fact that six artists share a connection to this totally unique space. In fact, the realisation that our studio has the same characteristics as House of Haynes only occurred to me when handing my studio keys to Jess last week.

The chaos of our studio is not by design although subconsciously it appears to be linked to my practice - the idea of being covered in fabric manifests itself at my home, studio and workplace. Sometimes I am utterly frustrated by the lack of clear space in my life and I long for it. Mandy and I are about to embark on a long awaited spring clean of our studio and a reassessment of our storage needs!

Making work for House of Haynes is a real challenge although it does not strike me as being totally unnatural since I have always been drawn to the work of outsider artists and the idea of making work in none gallery spaces. When I first started showing work it was on the pavement outside my house.

The challenges for me are very similar to those that face Jess, firstly the total lack of space and secondly how to create work that is not 'swallowed up' by House of Haynes' unique character. I have given particular consideration to the second point because my work is predominately textile based and it would be very easy to make something that did not register as an artwork.

At the moment I am thoroughly enjoying this process of interaction and development, I am excited by the possibilities and how we six artists can steer this project.

Two By Two

2008-05-05T15:15:00.005+01:00

Just three weeks to go until the exhibition opens. So far I have made a small start towards creating work but mostly I have been re-discovering this space that I am so familiar with.

Tomorrow I will really start to create work with a clear view of what I want to achieve.

Right from the start of the project I had an idea I wanted to work with, one that runs through much of my practice. This is simply the thought of being covered in fabric.
House of Haynes is a physical manifestation of this; a space dominated by fabric, not just the costumes but the ever growing bags of off-cuts, boxes of threads and the endless presence of fluff balls. Perhaps this explains my personal fascination with this space.

Some ways of producing work that have crossed my mind include:
Working with the bags of off-cuts and scraps (see image in previous post)
Only creating work in the space and not at all in my studio
Only using fabric used in House of Haynes

But at the moment I don't think I will stick to any of these.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre
On Friday night I went to see Cloud Gate Dance Theatre perform at the Lowry Theatre. During their performance I had the peace, and time I needed for my thoughts to settle and become clear.

This performance was one of calm fluidity, Zen-like qualities. The dancers, men and women alike, wore white trousers, wide legged, wrapped round at the front and cut from a sheer, floaty silk-like material. There was beauty in the simplicity and purity in the lack of colour and fussiness. The body both concealed and revealed by a material fine and light. The dancers were neither decorated or enhanced; the opposite of fancy dress.

Since Friday I have been thinking about silk, whiteness and something very pure in a space like House of Haynes. I am happy just to let this idea sit quietly and later come to fruition.

Where Studio Meets Gallery

2008-05-05T12:15:00.005+01:00

As we are now in May, the countdown to the exhibition has well and truly begun. I keep getting messages from MAPS festival saying 'only 3 weeks to go' etc. Amongst the artists there is a flurry of activity, as everyone tries to get their individual pieces underway, whilst juggling jobs and other projects they are working on.

From my perspective, I have just embarked on the project Objects for a Studio for Artranspennine 08 and this itself has given me an insight into the exhibition As If By Magic.

Objects for a Studio involves me doing a series of 1 day residencies in artists' studios in and around Manchester. My first residency took place on Friday 2nd May, quite conveniently in the studio of Mandy Tolley and Nina Chua. As Nina handed over the keys, she jokingly said, 'this will be good practise for you when doing As If By Magic...' Until this point I hadn't fully appreciated the very different standpoints each artist is taking to As If By Magic... For me, an artist whose sculpture is generally stripped down to the minimum elements, who not only is used to creating work for a white cube gallery space, but works in a standard white cube studio space, I cannot help but respond to what on the surface appears to be an incredibly chaotic environment; to a venue, which already carries several distinct personalities; to a room that has virtually no empty space, and everything in that space is insistently vying for the attention of the viewer. For me the challenge is this unconventional environment, the motivation is the instinctive responses that working in that space and visiting that space inspires. But this, I feel is not the case for everyone.

In complete contrast to this must come the work of Mandy and Nina. The venue which I find an unnatural site to produce work, must for them seem entirely logical. Their studio shares a number of characteristics with that of House of Haynes, and from the perspective of an onlooker, may be seen as being born out of chaos. Perhaps their work feels more at home in this environment, than in a conventional gallery space. It would be interesting to hear a response from either artist, as to whether or not this is the case and how they feel House of Haynes as a venue will impact on their work.

It is a really exciting opportunity to be able to produce and exhibit work outside of the confines of the gallery establishment, and it will be interesting to see what results are produced.

It's all in the timing!

2008-05-04T08:08:00.003+01:00

The application’s in! Have you heard? Nina has got the funding application in to The Arts Council for the proposed documentation of As If By Magic Exhibition.
Its a very important proposition when you consider the timing of it all; it’d be so good to have a hard copy of the event so it can be distributed, not deleted! From where I’m standing, this point in time signifies the mid flow of the main elements of the exhibition.
Exhibiting artists: everyone has their previous work, shows, exhibitions, studios, artist in residence and workshop experience behind them and so much more in front!
House of Haynes: there seems to be no letup in the demand for costumes. It still involves all ages and walks of life getting together and partying for all manner of reasons.
The Northern Quarter is in full swing after years of preparation, lobbying and perseverance by many individuals for the benefit of the city.
It’d be good to see the publication in bookshops, libraries- public and private and I really like the idea of putting a time capsule together with the publication and artists pieces of work. It could be buried in the foundations of one of the new-builds! Or something!

things are growing!

2008-05-02T17:00:00.009+01:00

After many meetings in Nina and Mandy's studio, at the Chinese Arts Centre and at the costume shop the exhibition is starting to come together..

I've worked at House of Haynes since November 2007. For me the shop evokes many things; being a child, connotations of disguise, hiding oneself and questions about what can be perceived as reality. It reminds me of my mother making clothes, and growing up with my grandfather leading me to believe he was a magician. It seems I grew up with the concept that 'magic' is real and possible, and is there crackling just beneath the surface. As a child I remember really concentrating on the world I could see in the mirror, the reverse of what surrounded me. I wanted to find a way in and live there for a while. House of Haynes can feel very removed from Oldham Steet just down below. It poses strong questions of relating to space and interacting with people.

I graduated in 2007. Since December last year I have had a space at Bankley Studio, Levenshulme. When I first moved in I spent a lot of time looking out at the peak district hills from my third floor window. They stretch right across, panoramically. I wanted to go there- wanted to stand on the hills and look back. Finally in March I did. My intention for the exhibiton is based on this longing. Whether this connects to 'escape' in the literal sense I am uncertain. What I do know is that it inadvertantly recalls the strange layers of my childhood that float back, and a longing for 'the other' whatever that may be.

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

2008-04-25T15:24:00.002+01:00

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

Polyester shocks

2008-04-23T21:53:00.005+01:00

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!

2008-04-20T16:07:00.004+01:00

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.

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

2008-04-20T15:50:00.000+01:00

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

2008-04-20T15:39:00.002+01:00

Snout!

2008-04-20T15:27:00.003+01:00

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

2008-04-17T12:04:00.001+01:00

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

2008-04-17T10:30:00.003+01:00

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.

2008-04-13T19:14:00.001+01:00

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.

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

2008-04-13T18:10:00.001+01:00

MAPS Festival

2008-04-13T12:25:00.000+01:00

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!

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Bootylicious

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2008-04-11T23:20:00.000+01:00

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

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

2008-04-11T08:45:00.000+01:00

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

2008-04-10T19:33:00.000+01:00

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

2008-04-10T12:18:00.000+01:00

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.