FMAS Focus

Wilks appointed chief consultant Senior lecturer in visual arts, Tim Wilks, has been appointed chief consultant for a major event which is scheduled to appear at the National Portrait Gallery in 2012. The exhibition celebrates the 400th anniversary of the death of Henry, Prince of Wales. Wilks, who wrote ‘Prince Henry Revived’, a book that focussed upon the cultural icon, will oversee the content and structure of the exhibition alongside an advisory committee.

This is my Land Andrew Cross, a lecturer in Photography, presented his screening programme, ‘This Is My Land’ alongside other internationally acclaimed artists at the Artsway visual arts venue in the New Forest in late August. The programme highlighted various aspects and sensations of rural life, and in particular how land is utilised, exploited and managed by human endeavour. Find out more about the event at http://www.artsway.org.uk/

Art research to be funded The intensive programme ‘Towards Creative Entrepreneurship’ has been approved by colleagues at Lahti, (University of Applied Sciences) and will receive funding. The aim of the project is to find new, innovative ways to promote entrepreneurship on arts courses at universities. Other partners in the project include the Cork Institute of Technology, the Estonian Academy of Music, and the Norwegian Academy of Music. There is funding in the budget for five students from Solent University to participate as well as one member of staff.

Filmmakers opportunities Lightstream TV, a business that produces professional short-format video adverts online, is in need of filmmakers to join their freelance network. It’s an excellent opportunity for students and experienced filmmakers alike to earn money, and develop their portfolio whilst shooting and editing video. For more information visit www.lightstream.tv/producers/join

The Big Draw The Millais Gallery and Solent University are hosting The Big Draw event on October 10, as part of a month long, nationwide campaign for drawing. The event invites people of all ages and artistic abilities to help create a huge panoramic drawing, with help from the resident lecturers/artists. The free event will take place in the gallery between 10am-1pm.

The Siege International bestselling author Helen Dunmore talked about her novel ‘The Siege’ at the Northguild Lecture Theatre in the Civic Centre on Tuesday September 29. Helen spoke about her story of love, life and survival during the German siege of Leningrad in World War 2, before participating in a Q&A session and book signing.

Framing Film The University of Winchester’s School of Film and Media staged the ‘framing film’ International Film Conference between the 4-6 September. The event was attended by film students from Solent University. Keynote speakers included Professor Ian Christie from the University of London and Peter Webber, the director of ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’.

Flynn high Adam Cominskey has been named a commercial director at Flynn Productions, an original and creative film making company. This will enhance links between the company and the university, and create opportunities for students to work on live projects. To find out more visit http://www.flynnproductions.com/

Alan’s art Alan Schechner’s artwork will appear in two academic publications from Sydney and Hamburg respectively. His piece, ‘It’s the real thing – Self portrait at Buchenwald’, will appear in ‘Law Text Culture’ and Professor Susan Rohr’s book ‘Comedy - Avant-Garde - Scandal: Remembering the Holocaust after the End of History’.

Simple for Simon Multimedia technician Simon Griggs has completed his ACA exams in Adobe Photoshop CS4 and is now an Adobe Certified Associate.

Digidesign for life Solent is now a Digidesign Certified Training Location, allowing the University to teach students the Pro Tools 101, 110, 201, and 210 courses. Toni Diaz and Jon JB Wills from the Media Production department passed the necessary courses, which have also provided the University with up to date software to teach on.

No Looking Barry Davies, a former student at Solent University, will be presenting his ‘No Looking’ exhibition at the Millenium Arts Centre in Cardiff. ‘No Looking’ is a collection of new and old post conceptual surrealist artworks by the Welsh Artist, performer and film maker. The work of Davies stems from his interest in perceptions of reality, he’s interested in the use of irony and hyperbole and in using materials, objects and processes in which to explore these ideas.

Relentless Brighton Brighton-based videogames developer Relentless Software recently visited the university for the Solent Jobs Fair in March, and the company’s Art Director Ben Lee met with students and discussed social gaming. Lee was ‘extremely impressed’ with the quality of junior animators and is keen to maintain a link between Solent and Relentless Software. It’s likely the company will be finalising details for a new project soon and as a result will be recruiting junior artists and animators.

Buckley’s Odyssey More than a quarter of a century ago Solent journalism lecturer Martin Buckley embarked on a trip to South Asia, travelling across Sri Lanka and India. During his time there, Martin discovered Ramayana – Valmiki’s epic written around 500-700 BC (much the same as Homer’s Odyssey, hence the title). Despite being relatively unknown in the West, Ramayana – The Wanderings of Rama – which tell the story of Lord Rama's search for his kidnapped wife – have achieved the status of holy writ. Buckley’s compelling recreation of Rama’s journey by bus, train, plane, and motor bike is inspiring and thought provoking. The book can be purchased for £8.99 from all leading book stores.

(Focus on FMAS newsletter, 2009)