COTTON: Global Threads
Whitworth Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, COTTON: Global Threads will be accompanied by a rich programme of events, lectures, performances and film screenings.
Events during the exhibition will range from ethical writer Lucy Siegle’s talk and book signing, to a one-off movement performance choreographed by Professor Anne Wilson.
Visitors can also participate in a weaving ‘race’ after a lesson from action weaver Travis Meinolf, and the gallery will host the Unchosen Film Festival, a week of free film screenings for young people.
There will also be a programme of family events. Children of all ages can meet a print artist and experiment with relief printing, and learn about customising, re-using, re-cycling and up-cycling cotton.
COTTON: Global Threads (11 February - 13 May) will show new commissions by contemporary artists alongside historic pieces from the Late Middle Ages to the present day, exploring how cotton’s history touches on economics, science and technology, slavery, fashion and popular culture.
COTTON: Global Threads is part of London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World.
Friday 24 February, 6.30pm
Talk and book signing with Lucy Siegle
The One Show presenter and Observer journalist Lucy Siegle will be holding a talk and signing her latest book To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World?
- Free, booking is essential, [email protected]
Saturday 25 February, 1 - 5pm
Walking the Warp Manchester
Choreographed by Professor Anne Wilson, Walking the Warp Manchester is a one-off movement performance developed in collaboration with youth dancers at the Lowry’s Centre for Advanced Training.
- Free, drop-in, no need to book.
Monday 26 March - Sunday 1 April
Unchosen Film Festival
A week of free film screenings for young people about children employed in the world’s textile industries.
Wednesday 18 - Saturday 21 April, 10am - 5pm
Sunday 22 April, 12 - 4pm
Action Weaving
Action weaver Travis Meinolf will be teaching visitors how to weave so that they can then participate in a weaving ‘race’.
- Free, drop-in
COTTON: Adult Events Programme:
Wednesdays (18 January, 15 February, 21 March and 18 April)
Saturdays (21 January, 18 February, 17 March and 21 April)
1 - 3pm
Crafternoon Tea
In these monthly social art and craft workshops, visitors will have the chance to enjoy afternoon tea whilst trying out some new, unusual techniques in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
- £5
Saturday 25 February, 7.30pm - 10.30 pm
After Hours: Manchester Histories Festival
An offbeat evening of discussions, music and performance in response to the COTTON: Global Threads exhibition to celebrate the start of the Manchester Histories Festival.
- Free, www.manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk
Saturday 21 February, 7.30 - 10.30pm
After Hours: Performance evening
An evening of unique performances that intertwine themselves into Whitworth Art Gallery’s exhibitions and spaces, inspired by action weaver Travis Meinolf.
- Free
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March, 11am - 4pm
Serious About Art: Weekend Course - Contemporary Textiles
This course will offer the chance to explore COTTON: Global Threads with a contemporary textile artist and develop skills and creativity to make individual works of art.
- £35, Booking is essential for weekend courses, [email protected], t: 07824538019
Thursday 22 March, 6 - 8pm
Talk: Grace Ndiritu
Artist Grace Ndiritu’s work Still Life is a series of four videos that use West African textiles in a physical performance from artist to camera. She will discuss her work with Dr Jennifer Harris, Curator of COTTON: Global Threads
- Free, drop-in, no booking required
Thursday 26 April, 6 - 8pm
Talk: Anna Arabindan-Kesson
Anna Arabindan-Kesson, a researcher at Yale University will discuss her work on the representation of cotton in art.
- Free, drop-in event
COTTON: Family Events Programme - free artist-led workshops
Sunday 12 February, 12.30 - 3.30pm
Up-cycling (for children of all ages, their families and carers)
The whole family can enjoy a range of up-cycling activities turning old fabric into new exciting things to take home.
Sundays (19 February, 1 April and 15 April), 1.30 - 3.30pm
Creative Customising (for children of all ages, their families and carers)
Visitors are invited to bring their old cotton t-shirts, tops or bags and customise them to transform them into new favourite fashion items.
Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, Thursday 16 and Friday 17 February, 1.30 - 3.30pm
Fabric Relief Printing (for children of all ages, their families and carers)
The whole family can meet a print artist and experiment with relief printing onto fabric to create new artworks to take home.
Fridays (2 March, 16 March, 30 March, 13 April and 27 April)
10.30 - 11.30am and 1.30 - 2.30pm
Treasure Baskets (for babies and their grown-ups)
Babies can explore and play with baskets of everyday, natural and sensory objects.
Sunday 18 March, 1.30 - 3.30pm
Creative Treats: Mother’s Day Special (for children of all ages, their families and carers)
An afternoon filled with creative treats for mothers and grandmothers, and the opportunity to make a present for them to take home.
Tuesdays (3 April and 10 April) and Thursdays (5 April and 12 April) 1.30 - 3.30pm
Cotton Capers (for children of all ages, their families and carers)
Activities based around re-using, re-cycling and up-cycling cotton into new and exciting things, from super hero costumes to weaving and floor art.