Contents Page Inside the 3rd issue of the Quarter.... Introduction Welcome Back!
You have in your hands issue number three of the Chocolate Factory’s very own guide to all the great and good going on in the arts world, in Haringey and even further abroad. As well as all the usual fun you’ve come to expect from us, including music, literature and entertainment for the little ones, we’re very proud to announce the introduction of two new original nights to our thrilling line up of regular events. But it doesn’t end there! We’ve also 03 04 06 07 got a friendly chat with Illustrator and No Quarter: Internet: Jane Roberts : graphic novelist, the amazing Oscar Crouch End Zarate, a full report on Collage Arts’ Everything You Creatively Open At Karamel Patrons Portrait recent illuminating visit to Barcelona, Never Wanted to Unveiling and a load more in the way of fresh Know About Sex... Discrimination and exciting content for you to get stuck into. With the summer finally around the corner, what could be better than relaxing in the park with a nice, cool drink, and a nice, new edition of Haringey’s favourite free paper?
Created and distributed by Collage Arts www.collage-arts.org
Editorial Team Andreas Stylianou Manoj Ambasna 08 10 11 12 Preeti Dasgupta
Oscar Zarate Haringey Poetry and Jazz at Karamel Interview Literature Live Paella Design Evelyn Ofosu
Contributors Xantoné Fayeton-Blacq Dominic Hunte Paul Lyalls
Richard Peacock
Kate Pemberton Chris Sheehan
Phil Sherman
Conor Supka
Jamel Taylor Sian Tomlin
13 14 15 16 17 Michael Walling Breaking the PramDepot: Karamel Kids Apprenticeships For any comments or enquiries, Border or to suggest an article: Sound Barrier Crossings Karen Lois Whiteread [email protected] or 0208 829 1318 2 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts No Quarter: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Sex...
It’s the equal curse and blessing of our digital But reverence for the person is nothing Franco the latest to be embroiled in a age; that previously unimaginable ability new either. Liszt generated a frenzy in his scandal involving a much younger girl, to share and disseminate information like audiences comparable to the Beatles or and experiencing an inevitable backlash nobody’s business, and put everybody’s Biebers, and is often cited as being the from his fans, who, for what it’s worth, are business in the open for all to see. The tabloid first celebrity back in the 19th century. not solely comprised of the kind of 17 year newspapers, and sites like TMZ and Gawker, So where does the difference lie? When it olds he would meet on the internet. do a brisk trade in exposing the infidelities of comes to the creators of the art we love, sports personalities and stars of reality TV, are we spreading muck just because our Still, the idea that boycotting a film, or feeding into the never ending “build ‘em up, new toys let us, or is there a genuine need song, or exhibition could change someone smash ‘em down” cycle of popular culture. The to expose the crimes of the supposedly for the better or force them to confess to a cult of celebrity is real, and whether you choose unassailable, and see real social justice crime is a noble one, but pretty farfetched to engage in it or not, you can’t ignore its done? Would we rather stay in the dark? in reality. It’s easy to see why many power. But away from the web’s ambivalence advocacy groups would choose to do and the sensationalism of the red top press, How to reconcile love for a piece of so; however, it leads to a kind of negative there exists a kind of celebrity separate from art with the possibly horrific actions of reinforcement which can have the same the common flock , held in higher regard, the its author is a debate that recently has deifying effect on a person’s psyche as thinking person’s pin-up. Let’s call them artists. been unavoidable, although for some putting them on a pedestal. Until the media it’s apparently simple. In many media stops canonising and condemning artists, That artists are not necessarily good people discussions of the resurfaced allegations we’ll never be able to objectively view their is not really a surprise. The biographies of surrounding Woody Allen, people referred creations without them being coloured, many of the great innovators and masters in to the novelist Lionel Shriver and her positively or negatively, by thoughts of all fields of artistic expression are filled with assertion that Allen the man is unimportant; their personal lives. Only by letting our debauchery and ASBO-worthy behaviour, from his work is separate from his personal life, favourite artists be human first can we bigotry, to addiction, to murder, and worse. and his actions won’t taint her affinity for create an environment where admission of But to deny the value of the art they produced it. While many would see that as correct, personal guilt doesn’t signify the end of a is impossible, so those transgressions are put to many others it’s irresponsible and does career, but is the first step to curing the ills aside for the sake of preserving their work for a great disservice to those really affected. of society it helps to illustrate. No amount later generations. And, if we’re talking about When similar incidents keep occurring, of witch hunting or blind eye turning does Caravaggio, for example, that’s easy. He’s long eventually so will the apportioning of blame any good, but who knows, compassion dead and gone, and so is that moral obligation and the most readily available target might. After all, artists are people too; let’s to be shocked. All that’s left now is the art for is always the most visible, the creator make them behave like it. us to study and revere, totally independently of and performer. Sadly, similar incidents the person or any criminal behaviour they may do keep happening, with actor James have committed. Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 3 Internet: Creatively Unveiling Discrimination
The steel of a machete blade flashes, cuts Among the participants was Martin Schmalzried through the air, still heavy with lingering from the project #DeleteCyberbullying, who profanity and mocking laughter. For a second, has been instrumental in developing an online it’s all dark and quiet, a title card stamps the identity toolkit for young people, whereby they screen; ‘This is England.’ All of a sudden we’re can create avatars of themselves and join back in the room, in Barcelona’s majestic like-minded others in a digital protest with a CCCB building, learning not about Britain’s ugly physical presence, dubbed The Big March and Eighties, but about the real challenges faced set to take place on June 11th 2014. Martin by Italian youths in finding their own identity described the phenomenon of Cyberbullying, and seeing the world through each other’s as a ‘continuation of bullying in general’, with eyes. Although jarring and disconcerting at much the same effects, and went on to discuss first, Roberta Lulli and Marco de Cave’s highly the increased level of police intervention in the impactful presentation was impossible to ignore, area, and the issues that can arise from their and a great introduction to the work they’re involvement. With the recent prosecution in doing to highlight the unseen stories of Italy’s Britain relating to journalist Caroline Criado- overlooked minorities. Perez, it’s easy to see why the law’s response to the issue is so relevant, and such a crucial This was just one of many fascinating aspect of the discussion which surfaced in highlights of the recent i:CUD conference, a many of the presentations and my following two day exploration of all the various issues conversations. Speaking with Marco de that surround our online lives, and how to Cave, from the Italian project National Youth create a safe and healthy space for all users, Work Network Against all Discrimination, it regardless of their differences. Against the became clear just how difficult things could backdrop of Barcelona’s magnificent and be for a young person living in Italy, with the eccentric architecture, Collage Arts was one pressure coming not only from peers, but from of several organisations that gathered in the the institutions supposedly in place for their Catalonian capital to share new ideas and protection. Using the inventive technique of a valuable, ground-breaking research. With purpose-made role-playing computer game, the contingents from all over Europe, the Centre de organisation seeks to highlight these issues by Cultura Contemparania de Barcelona became putting you in the shoes of a young immigrant, a buzzing hive of multi-lingual conversations living exactly as they would, within pretty paltry and international networking, allowing for means. It’s no easy feat, and really drives home some great progression to be made in the the struggle faced by many people all over project’s ultimate goal: creating a cross- Europe. However, despite all the hard work the national framework for exposing and destroying organisation puts in, Italy has seen no new laws discrimination online, through education and introduced to help these vulnerable members positive activism. Even from Harvard researcher of society, and no ‘This is England’ type expose Danah Boyd’s impassioned welcome message, to prompt those new laws along. I asked Marco it was clear that we were in for an informative whether he could envisage a film like that being and illuminating journey, guided by some of the made, and, he indicated that, although there foremost experts in the field.
4 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts are Italian artists striving to make a difference, such as Fred Kuwornu, the message is difficult to spread.
Back in the UK and Ireland, it’s a slightly different playing field, marked out by our long history of immigration and a level of secular liberalism we’re lucky enough to enjoy. Overt racism has, in the public eye at least, been pushed underground, leaving behind a residue of more coded, less vociferous, but no less aggressive, discriminatory speech. Now, academics like Brunel University professor Dr Sanjay Sharma are taking up the cause, helping to identify and track what he describes as ambient racism, the general undercurrent of racially charged language, online. Through use of signifiers like the #NotRacist hash-tag, social media users are able to disseminate insensitive material and perpetuate stereotypes with pretence towards disinterested observation or creating a dialogue, relatively simply and with very little repercussion. But is that isolated to the internet, or spilling over from the real world? ‘There are certain environments, institutions, or cultures where ambient racism can be prevalent’ Dr Sharma suggested, pointing to the feeling of being subtly judged by skin colour in a professional context, ‘But online is not a reproduction of real life’.
Given that anonymity and perceived lack of genuine influence, many still believe the web of changes that can make a real difference. seeing in the future, and with so many young can be a beneficial tool for allowing invective Philippe Coen, from the French organisation people on board across the globe, it’s only a to be expressed without turning into physical Hate Prevention Initiative, introduced us matter of time. violence. ‘I don’t buy into that pressure cooker to their proposed Anti-Hate label, a digital theory’, said Gavan Titley, from the National badge that websites can wear to align The ICUD partnership led by CEPS University of Ireland. His presentation on themselves with the anti-hate movement, and Barcelona are preparing an educational Legitimating Hate Speech was an enlightening help to warn people if they are about to view anti-discrimination pack and presenting it in look into the methods and excuses bigots use discriminatory content, without getting into Brussels on 26th June 2014. to justify themselves to themselves and society the tricky area of censorship. Its tools like at large, including the abuse he has personally these, and an increased level of education For more information on the i:CUD project, suffered on newspaper comment threads. that will have the most lasting impact, not only partners and participants, please visit Perhaps most tellingly, I enquired whether he in cleaning up the internet, but in changing www.digitaldiscrimination.eu felt affected by it, and was informed that it paled perspectives and creating a more tolerant in comparison to the abuse directed at women society. The ICUD project is a huge step and writers of colour on those same threads. towards that progress and will undoubtedly So what’s next for the project? Already, strides be a vital facet in developing new legislation are being made towards bringing about the kind to reflect the changes in attitudes we’ll be
Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 5 Crouch End Open at Karamel Lydie Gallais 2014 marks the 10th running of Crouch End Open Richard Peacock Jane Smith Studios, an event that has grown into an important date in Haringey’s artistic calendar. This year, 30 artists will be showing their work at venues within walking distance of Crouch End’s famous clock tower, over the weekend of 10/11 May, with a group exhibition representing all of the artists running in the Original Gallery in Hornsey Library from 2 – 15 May.
One of the questions often asked of Crouch End Open Studios artists is why the event is concentrated on only one weekend. As many artists show their work in their own or other peoples’ homes, there are practical questions around transforming their domestic space into a gallery for more than a few days. But this year is different. For the first time in the event’s history, a group of artists will be showing together for an extended period. At the invitation Paul of Collage Arts, 17 artists from the group will be exhibiting at Karamel from mid-June to mid-July. It Berry promises to be a vibrant and diverse show, bringing together the talents of artists who have shown with the Open Studios for many years with those who have joined the group for the first time this year. Examples include Martin Davidson’s stunning black and white woodcuts, Yana Stajno’s uplifting paintings designed to be a “joyful antidote to these austere times” and Jacqueline Lewis Ahmed Farooqui’s sculpture that combines multiple elements in an investigation of scientific insight into the hidden patterns of the natural world.
The Crouch End Open Studios began as the “brainchild” of local artists Helen Lindon and Kim Valdez in 2003. Since then, the Open Studios has grown: new artists have applied each year and been selected, others artists have left. The audience has also grown year on year, with hundreds of visitors walking round from venue to venue, talking to the artists about their practice, seeing work in a range of setting from shops, cafes, houses and galleries, and buying directly from artists without the need to pay gallery commission. Crouch End Open Studios Constanze Schweda has also been successful in attracting sponsorship Martin Davidson from local business even during the hard times of the recession. On this, the 10th anniversary, several artists have created works that celebrate the support of the Crouch End Open Studio sponsors, to be exhibited at the Original Gallery from the 2 – 15 May.
Crouch End Open Studios are also actively involved Eva Turrell in working with the inspirational local charity Action for Kids. Artists from the group recently ran an art workshop at Islington Arts Factory, and the Original Gallery show will feature some of the postcards produced by the young people that the charity Yana Stajno supports. One of the artists who participated, Liz Brown, commented on the workshop: “The students... produced some wonderful images inspired by the creative input of the CEOS artists...we all had a good time and laughed a lot too”.
For more information on Crouch End Open Studios please visit: Elizabeth www.crouchendopenstudios.co.uk Brown Ahmed Farooqui www.karamelrestaurant.com 6 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts Lydie Gallais Jane Roberts Patrons Portrait
Paul Berry All the way back in Quarter number one, we were pleased to introduce Jane Roberts, the fortunate winner of our 2012 Open Studios competition, and proud recipient of an exclusive portrait from the hugely talented Sadie Lee. At that stage, the completed portrait was a fairly long way off, but Jane was already so enamoured with the experience, she pledged to give her son the opportunity to join the ranks of Sadie’s ‘Patrons’ series, having his face immortalised in the artist’s unmistakable style. Following the traditional grand unveiling of the series at the 2013 Open Studios event, Jane’s portrait was finally ready to be presented, and, as pictured, she was delighted to receive it. True to her word, the torch will now be passed to her son, who’ll begin sitting soon for a portrait to be debuted in November 2014, and supporting Sadie’s continued work as one of the most engaging and inimitable oil painters around.
www.facebook.com/sadieleeart
Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 7 8 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts O: I approached the publisher… I had this idea for a series of books about London, a kind of visual encyclopaedia. Like a Diderot encyclopaedia, but I wanted to do it about London, looking at it from different points of view; London after 11pm when the pubs have closed, the sounds of the city, you understand? The music that London has as a city, the smells. All these different books, different ways of reading and trying to understand the city. And then I went to the publisher.
I did the book about 18 years ago for Serpent’s Tail. And that was the first picture book they did. The book was alright, but they did not manage it very well, because it’s not what they were doing, they were doing fiction. So the whole project ended, and then, this publisher (Self-Made Hero) came and said if I would like to reprint it, and it was a chance for me to work with all the people I chose, writers and makers, all my friends and visual artists, people I really admire. So it was a fantastic thing to do.
You got to hand choose the other people you were working with?
O: I chose everything. I chose the writer and then married the writer with the artist, and some marriages worked very well. I did a story with Alan (Moore) because it was easy for us to work together. Overall I was happy with the book. It came out about two or three years ago, I was pleased that it seems to have that OSCAR ZARATE kind of resonance. You mentioned Alan Moore. He’s quite vocal about his Illustrator and self-described foreign Londoner Oscar Zarate’s artworks have dislike for screen adaptations of his work. Do you feel the been a mainstay of the British comics scene for three decades, appearing same way? in seminal fortnightly publication Crisis, which helped to popularise a more mature and thematically deep kind of graphic storytelling in the UK. In that O: Not necessarily. It depends on their approach. time, he’s worked with national comedic treasure Alexei Sayle, helped Richard Appignanesi introduce readers to Freud, Lenin, and Existentialism, For example, if Channel 4 approached you about doing a TV and even developed an acclaimed graphic adaptation of Shakespeare’s adaptation of The Park, would you consider it? Othello. Although probably best known for his work with luminary Alan Moore O: We can talk. I’m not going to say no. I wouldn’t close the on the Eisner-Award winning A Small Killing, Oscar has recently taken the door. With A Small Killing, something very peculiar and nasty plunge into writing with his own graphic novel, The Park, released in late happened. Walt Disney made a film with Bruce Willis called 2013 by publisher Self-Made Hero. Filled with rich, expressive watercolours Walt Disney’s The Kid. And I saw that film on an aeroplane, I’m and a wry, yet genuinely touching perception of society, The Park is a visual watching this film and I think; this is familiar. It’s A Small Killing. exploration of the author and artists fascination with psychoanalysis, and real love of the city he’s come to call home.
Meeting at a café in North London, adjacent to his geographical muse Hampstead Heath, Oscar Zarate is immediately charming, engaging, and raring to go, with our discussion already underway before I can even get the recorder on, touching on the interview questions he’s already perused.
O: You asked about me as an editor…. He chuckles warmly, a sound which punctuates much of our conversation O: …it’s a pain.
So you do feel that there’s a bit of a conflict between you as an artist, and you having to play the role of editor?
O: A bit of a conflict, because you know… because you’re also on this side, you know we’re all very delicate creatures. We all think of ourselves as incredible so you have to be very careful. No egos, you know...
With something like ‘It’s Dark in London’ (ed: which Oscar contributed to and edited) did you have the idea, and you took it to a publisher, or did someone approach you with the idea? Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 9 “I hope people can feel my joy of working on this book.”
Then it changes, but it’s definitely that book. I talked to Alan, he watched the film, he said ‘I don’t want to do anything, but you go ahead if you want’, but I said ‘Alan, what can I do? I don’t have money’. It’s very similar, about a man being chased by his younger self.
Did that make you angry? O: Yes, definitely. I was very upset. I don’t know why they didn’t talk to us. It’s not the whole book, the ending changes, but no doubt that someone looked through our book. Even the profession of Bruce Willis’ character is very similar.
But if Channel four approaches, or the BBC, I would listen. If Hollywood comes to me, I would listen, but of course, with more terms, because then it becomes something else.
But you would never consider that your ultimate goal? O: No. What I think about is whether it’s going to come out nicely printed, that’s it’s not too far away from what I made… the artwork. And people going to the bookshops to buy it. And that characters is very tough. the book sells enough so I can carry on. You know, it’s a business, there’s a lot of money involved. Then, whether I like them or not is irrelevant, they are real.
The Park is your first major solo project, was it something I also noticed the narrative elements of The Park have a Greek you’ve had in mind for a long time? chorus type quality, that feels like an unseen observer. Is that O: What I’ve had for a long time is the setting, Hampstead Heath. you? Because I live ten minutes from here, it’s like my back garden, and O: Apparently there is a third voice. There is no third voice, it’s the I walk with friends and I have my ideas; I think while I’m walking. journalist. It’s not me. And then I thought to work around my walk. So what I had first is the place. There’s this idea that when the book is out, it’s no longer yours. It was mine for two and a half years. Now, it’s up to the people who are going I thought it was a unique place. I don’t know what is a unique place to read it, and people read other things, not necessarily what you but it was for me quite singular, and it sustained for me the idea meant. Which is incredible, how people pick up on different points and of building up a story. And then there were one or two characters develop that point, that I never thought was interesting. I like it because more or less that were somehow in the back of my head, waiting it has to do with the person and the book. When it’s printed, people for a story, and then came this idea of connecting. have a relationship with the book.
Actually the question of connections, for me it’s very important, the Do you think it’s possible for the audience to have the same geography, the space, because that determines how people are concept as the author? going to move. How they behave. And some of how they’re going O: I don’t know, but with this book I am very happy. I don’t recall a to feel, so there’s all this kind of dialectic going on. single day that I wasn’t happy to be there. I hope people can feel my joy of working on this book. So there is this response, I feel that you Talking about the characters. They are all very relatable. Do can communicate that. you think that comes from the situation or from observing real people? I tell you about my experiences with this book, which is the first book I O: It’s a mixture. I’m very interested in the things people disregard. have made on my own, the other books I share, all the good things or That’s what I take.The things they think are not important. That’s the criticism, we share. But this is different, with this, I wrote the music, what a psychoanalyst does, picks up on those things you say, and I play the instruments. ‘it’s not important but I’ll tell you anyway’, and for me that’s very interesting. Oscar Zarate’s The Park is available from all good retailers, and he’ll But if I have to draw them, and I have to live with them for a couple be working on future projects with Self-Made Hero. of years, they have to have a kind of real resonance. We have to have a conversation that makes sense, so the building up of these 10 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 11 Come along to Karamel on the first Thursday of each month from 7pm, for our special, happy mix of great readers, books for sale, delicious drinks and tapas, and open mic. This is what people have said in online reviews:
I’ve been to two of these now, and they’ve both been the highlight of my month!
A real oasis, a chance to switch off and let beautiful and interesting stories and poetry wash over you. And free of charge! I’d heartily recommend booking a table.
Fantastic night out. Love these evenings, great unstuffy atmosphere and lots of interesting writers.
1st May, doors 7pm, Karamel 5th June, doors 7pm, Karamel Fiction Night with Robert Shearman and Rebecca Swirsky A Celebration of the Frogmore Papers Join us to celebrate one of the greatest of the ‘little magazines’, Robert Shearman has written four short story which started in 1983, and for many years was edited just moments collections, and between them they have won the World from the Chocolate Factory, on Vernon Road. Poets, fiction writers “ Fantasy Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, the Edge and editors will gather to present the best of the Frogmore Papers. Hill Readers Prize and three British Fantasy Awards. Wonderful back issues and poetry pamphlets from The Frogmore His background is in the theatre, resident dramatist Press will be on sale, and Founding Editor Jeremy Page will be at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter, and regular writer there to answer any questions you might like to throw at him! for Alan Ayckbourn at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in www.frogmorepress.co.uk Scarborough; his plays have won the Sunday Times 3rd July, doors 7pm, Karamel Playwriting Award, the Sophie Winter Memorial Trust A Midsummer Night’s Party! Award, and the Guinness Award in association with ” Come along for our last reading of the season, and celebrate all the Royal National Theatre. He regularly writes plays things Summer with Haringey Literature Live. Readings will be on and short stories for BBC Radio, and he has won two the theme of midsummer madness, heat and misadventure, and Sony Awards for his interactive radio series, ‘The Chain
Robert Shearman Robert delicous cocktail jugs will be available from the bar to cool things Gang’. But he’s probably best known for reintroducing down a little (or at least that’s the aim...) Readers will include fiction the Daleks to the BAFTA winning first season of the writers Jon Fortgang and Gwen MacKeith, and poets TBA. Be sure revived Doctor Who, in an episode that was a finalist for to bring your shades! the Hugo Award. Family Day at Karamel, June 21st Rebecca Swirsky graduated from her MA in Haringey Literature Live is joining the fun for the Collage Arts Creative Writing by winning the A.M. Heath Prize Family Day at Karamel! Spoken word genius Paul Lyalls will lead a for her short fiction. She was recently mentored workshop to get the whole family writing poetry! And children of all by the writer Stella Duffy through winning the ages can write their own book to take home in Kate Pemberton’s Word Factory Apprenticeship for her novel-of- Rebecca Swirsky Picture Book workshop. See page 16 for the full line-up of activities stories, A History of Symmetry. Rebecca’s fiction and performances taking place. is featured in Matter, Ambit, The View From Here, Book Exchange Ink Sweat & Tears, The Pygmy Giant, Stories for Homes Anthology for Shelter, Cease, Cows and Our free book exchange at Karamel is up, running and going a number of British anthologies, including the strong! People are loving our shelves of books to swap - so take Bridport Anthology. Her work has been placed or along a book you no longer want, and exchange it for one you do. shortlisted for The Manchester Fiction Award, Fish, Yes, it really is that simple!! Bath, Bristol, Sean O’ Faolin and both the Bridport Young Writers’ Club
Flash Fiction and Short Story Prizes. She was also We are pleased to announce that we will be launching Haringey awarded a bursary from The Literary Consultancy. Literature Live Young Writers’ Clubs in September. These will be In a former life, she was a Play Development after school clubs, at the fabulous Pickled Pepper Books in Crouch Worker in Dalston and a support worker for children End. They will run in various age categories, and are aimed at with learning and physical challenges. promoting a love of writing from the imagination in a fun and friendly setting; the perfect after school club for a budding writer. Details will be posted on our website in the summer. Find out more/follow us at www.haringeyliteraturelive.com Haringey Literature Live is a Collage Arts initiative and is sponsored by Karamel and Haringey Council. 12 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts Poetry and Paella Joining our ever exciting and ever expanding line up of totally unique free events at Karamel, Poetry and Paella is a brand new monthly celebration of spoken word, alongside a delicious menu of global cuisine. Featuring performers hand-picked by compere, local author and educator Paul Lyalls, the line-up is already filling up with the cream of British poetic talent. In May we’ll be visited by former World Slam Poetry Champion and anti-violence activist Kat Francois, as well as burgeoning talents Dan Cockrill, and Julian Fox, who’ll be commencing the series with their own humourous, poignant, and bizarre takes on modern living. Then, in June, we’ll be hosting the absurd and sometimes misanthropic genius Simon Munnery, one of the top poet/ comedians around and an act you can’t afford to miss. There are still loads more very special guests to be announced and it really looks like Poetry and Paella is set to become the premier destination to see amazing live performances from some of your favourite spoken word artists, and sample food from around the globe in a charming environment close to home, and free to attend . Thursday May 15th
Kat Francois Is not one to stand still. She was the Dan Cockrill Delicously Julian Fox first performance poet to win the BBC Poetry Slam charming poet with a great ‘Offering a bizarre scrapbook of geeky facts, choppily Competition; a year later, she become the World sense of the subtle magic of life edited video diaries, tinder-dry humour and bedroom Poetry Slam Champion. She has toured nationally and at the same time a great indie tunes. Engrossing, endearing and wholly with Spoken Word All Stars and devised her own understanding of what makes life entertaining. With the earnestness of a child, and the production Seven Times Me which debuted at the funny and liveable. ‘He has never surprise of a grown-up who can’t quite believe he’s Theatre Royal, Stratford East, She has also released been a lost wandering soul, but is on stage being stared at by strangers. It’s a winning a book of her own work Rhyme and Reason and a CD, open to offers and is resolutely hip’ combination.’ The Guardian Blessed By Words. ‘An ability to perform and bring the The Independent topics she deftly writes about to life with such energy and comedic precision’ - Hot Minutes Magazine. Hosted By Paul Lyalls. The 2013 /14 Poet in residence for Roald Dahl will sizzle it all together in his unique playful worded way ‘playfully Comic’ The Glasgow Herald
Thursday 19th June ‘There are more brilliant ideas in one Simon Munnery of Simon Munnery’s shows than most A beautiful, extravagant mess comics will manage in a lifetime’ of POETRY, foaming bubble The hats, bad guitar riffs, sublime Times, 2011 jokes, delightful monologues. Star of BBC2’s Attention Scum, London Shouting, Radio 1’s ‘Simon Munnery is nothing less than a The League Against Tedium genius’ The Guardian, 2011 and Radio 4’s Where Did It All Go Wrong?. As seen on ‘He remains a weird and wonderful BBC2’s Stewart Lee’s Comedy maverick. Probably one of the Vehicle. British Comedy funniest things you’ll see this year’ Award Nominee, Sony The Metro, 2011 ***** Radio Award Winner, Perrier Award Nominee. www.simonmunnery.com
Visit www.collage-arts.org, find us on Thursday 17th July - A very special guest! Facebook, or join the mailing list to find out who! Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 13 JAZZ AT KARAMEL MAY 28 “MONK & MILES” - Chris Biscoe (reeds), Robbie JUNE 25 - Art Themen (tenor JULY 30 - Alan Barnes (alto sax, clarinet), Robson (trumpet), Kate Williams (piano), Steve Watts (bass), sax, soprano sax), Colin Nigel Price (guitar), Dave Green Stu Butterfield (drums) Oxley (guitar), Julian Bury (bass), Stu Butterfield (drums) Quintet reworkings of two seminal recordings: “Miles Ahead” by Miles Davis (bass), Stu Butterfield (drums) with the Gil Evans Orchestra, and “Monk’s Music” by the Thelonious Monk ART THEMEN became part of the ALAN BARNES has won the prestigious Septet. early London Blues scene, playing BBC Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year Award alongside Alexis Korner, Jack on several occasions, has produced over CHRIS BISCOE has appeared as a soloist on more than 40 albums, Bruce, Mick Jagger and Chuck 40 CDs on his own Woodville label and including records with George Russell, Mike Westbrook, Andy Sheppard Berry. He fronted the Stan Tracey frequently comperes major Jazz Festivals. and The Brotherhood of Breath. Major tours include the Hermeto Pascoal Quartet for 20 years. He has He recently featured on the Bryan Ferry Big Band and the New York Composers’ Orchestra. He leads a number of toured worldwide and played and “Jazz Age” recording, and on the Great ensembles including the 7 piece Mingus Moves with Henry Lowther, Pete recorded with many US and British Gatsby film soundtrack. He has extremely Hurt and Kate Williams, as well as his Profiles Quartet with Tony Kofi, and luminaries. Nowadays he is most busy freelance and teaching schedules, British Standard Time with Alan Barnes and John Horler. often seen with a variety of top while leading ensembles from Duos to Big British jazz players and is known Bands ROBBIE ROBSON is a member of The London Jazz Orchestra, the Gareth for his individuality and original . Lockrane Big Band, and the Frank Griffith Nonet, and leads his own bands, style. NIGEL PRICE has performed with the Dog Soup and Clamour, as well as the Robbie Robson-Josephine Davis legendary David Axelrod, was a member of Quintet, featuring acclaimed guitarist Phil Robson (no relation). He has also COLIN OXLEY As a long standing the Sheena Davis Group for more than two worked with Tony Bennett, Jamie Cullum and Phil Woods. member of vocalist Stacey Kent’s years and then spent more than three years band, Colin has recorded and with the UK’s leading Jazz/Funk band of the KATE WILLIAMS leads her own Quintet, Quartet and Trio. Her Trio was toured extensively, including time, the James Taylor Quartet (JTQ) He a major feature at this March’s Guildhall Jazz Festival, at the Milton Court appearances at the Montreux is much in demand in all kinds of musical Concert Hall, performing new orchestral arrangements of jazz pianist Bill and North Sea Festivals and contexts, and leads his own acclaimed Evans’ compositions interspersed with works from great Impressionist era residencies in New York and San Organ Trio, featuring Pete Whittaker. composers, Ravel, Dubussy and Satie. Francisco. He has performed with many top US and British players “Great chops, great taste and a great “A superbly lucid and inventive pianist and composer” and is a Professor at the Guildhall sound - he and his trio are way up there - Jim Mullen School of Music and Drama. with the best” - Jim Mullen
These past couple of of a stir in the industry, with Sony offering a development deal years, The Karamel on the spot when they heard him. With consistent spot plays on Music Club nights BBC Radio 2 and 6, as well as local radio, George has all the have nurtured a hive makings of a Syd Barrett meets David Bowie age 17 – tall and Karamel Music Club of consistently high elegant, quietly confident, lyrics beyond his years (check out level emerging talent, and this quarter’s news is that Karousel ‘My Backwards Head’, which he wrote when he was 14) and a Music – the heartbeat of the KMC evenings – have just agreed a maturity chord wise that astounds – where his contemporaries deal with legendary music publishers Wixen Music (Neil Young, slap on a capo and play the usual chord blocks, George is Tom Petty, George Harrison, The Doors, The Black Keys, etc) to filling in the three passing notes in between. You’re going to administer a new publishing catalogue that Karousel are curating. love him. Also making an appearance are the outrageously fun On the back of her stunning performance in Karamel on Feb and 70’s-tastic ‘Itchy Teeth’ – superbly tight rhythm section, 19th – alongside Saturday Sun and Kate Threlfall – Karousel chord changes that would have Supertramp dancing along in a have secured their first synch license for Danish act Penny T-rex T-shirt while the Kinks crackled out of the transistor radio. Police’s Marie Fjeldsted for a 12 month TV and online advert for Great performers, and sure to be a tremendously good night. the NSPCC for her track ‘I Do Care’. Proof that the consistently If you then add into the mix solo artist and former Seahorses high level of curating at the KMC has put it on the map with the frontman (and great pal) Chris Helme – a man who himself industry; and also that we continue to attract the best acts from knows a thing or two about the 70’s, as well as having laid claim across the UK, Scandinavia, Europe, the US and beyond. We’re to a number one album in both the UK and Japan – then you currently applying for some funding to help us sweeten the get the idea. And as always, it’s free. Our way of inviting the deal even further for the acts – we’re hoping in the near future local Haringey community into our world of ethical promotion to be able to record the shows as multitracks that we can then and the supporting of great, original music. give to the artists as a thank you for entertaining our treasured community; as well as streaming the shows worldwide to our We’ve shows coming on June 4th and July 2nd with similarly friends abroad. exciting line-ups - as ever – and all that remains to be said is if you care about great music, top notch Songwriting and the May sees the arrival of a couple of new faces, as well as an old cream of musicianship - you’re always welcome at The Karamel friend. 17 year old George Wilding has been causing something Music Club. 14 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts br eaking th e sound barrier
In London, when people think of places to Why is my live music series called station on the Piccadilly Line. go for great live music especially venues Breaking The Sound Barrier? The focusing on Jazz, Soul, Funk and related sound barriers that were very 2. I am fortunate to have worked with genres, the mind is likely to think of the apparent to me while working in North International master musicians, many West End. Or perhaps, East London with London were: who look forward to coming to play in its recent Urban Renewal and trendy Wood Green as part of the Breaking The spots. West London and increasingly 1. The lack of a well-known and Sound Barrier series. The artists that are South London are offering greater and reputable Live Music Venue in North set to play in this series have shared the greater opportunities for the working London. stage with Chaka Khan, Incognito, Sting, musician and the live music fan, but North George Duke to name a few. London doesn’t often spring to mind. 2. Leading music artists in Jazz, Soul and Funk not perceiving North 3. Each of the 3 upcoming music events Xantone Blacq explains: London as a potential area to perform. that I am presenting have a ticket price Prior to my full time career as a musician, of £8. One could easily pay 4 times that I worked for 7 years in North London 3. The lack of performances by top amount to see these artists in most of and enjoyed being part of a diverse artists with reasonably priced tickets their other working situations. A real treat! and multi-faceted community. I still for the audience. have many friends and students living North London deserves great live in North London and it is for them and The Solution music and this is a great opportunity to the greater community at large that I am introduce music lovers on both sides working in partnership with Collage Arts 1. The Karamel Music Club in Wood of the barrier; musicians and the music and Karamel Music Club to offer North Green, N22 is a beautiful venue with a loving audience, to each other. North Londoners a series of top level live music wonderful stage and ambience. It is 7 London’s Changing! #BePartOfIt performances. minutes walk from Wood Green Tube
Gareth Lockrane Big Band: Manuela Panizzo: Joy Rose (EP Launch) 23rd July 2014. 8pm. Tickets: £8. A very “Alive and Raising Hell” “Don’t Fall In Love With rare and unique opportunity to hear the 21st May 2014. 8pm. Tickets: £8. original music of globe-trotting Sting and Master Flautist, Composer and Arranger, Gareth Me” 18th June 2014. 8pm. Tickets: £8. Leading Incognito singer, Joy Rose. A master Lockrane is a musician’s Musician! His big band Italian Soul-Jazz Singer and Composer vocalist, Joy is known for her passionate is serene, menacing, joyful and intense all at once who has shared the stage with Amy and open-hearted singing voice and is How DO they do that?? It can’t be explained, only Winehouse, Chaka Khan and George a first-call singer for many world leading experienced! Come and see for yourself. Duke, to name a few. Expect Soul grooves, artists. Expect an evening of beautiful Latin rhythms and exceptional group musical stories and songs. interplay topped by flamboyant singing. Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 15 Border Crossings
It’s an exciting time for Border Crossings They have been to London before, visiting – the intercultural theatre company based the Globe to Globe Festival with Richard II “The project is just so important at Chocolate Factory 2. In early May, they in 2012, and are always keen to show their are performing in Palestine, in a new co- work beyond the Occupied Territories. – people just really wanted to production with Ashtar Theatre; and later in same month they are bringing the show to “I have nothing but be involved. It’s going to be an London, performing in the fabulous Testbed 1 space in Battersea. admiration for them”, extraordinary production.” said Michael. “They are making theatre The play, called This Flesh is Mine, is written in incredibly difficult conditions – and the “This Flesh is Mine” performs at Testbed 1, 33 Parkgate Road, by Brian Woolland, and directed by Michael theatre that they make is a response to Battersea SW11 4NP from May 19-25. Tickets from £10 to £15. Book Walling. It’s loosely based on Homer’s war those conditions. What’s more, because via Rich Mix: 020 7613 7498 or www.richmix.org.uk. epic The Iliad, but is also very relevant to the they do so much work with children and contemporary Middle East. Michael Walling young people in their community, their More information at www.bordercrossings.org.uk explained: “We’ve wanted to work with Middle theatre also contributes to the bettering Eastern cultures for a long time – the region of the conditions. It’s at once an artistic is so important right now. The challenge is vision and a programme for development to find a way of making theatre that engages and peace.” with the region but doesn’t apportion blame. I really didn’t want to do a piece with goodies Border Crossings is a kindred spirit for and baddies. When Brian suggested that we Ashtar in the UK. At the same time as use the myth of the Trojan War as a way in, presenting the play, they will be offering that made a lot of sense to me. It allowed us workshops to Middle Eastern community to look under the surface of the news stories, groups and schools across London, and to explore what it actually feels like to live helping people to explore the issues through a long war. Oddly, it actually makes a behind the play through their own theatre lot of what’s happening in the region right now pieces. much clearer. You take out the religion, and it becomes so obvious how leaders manipulate The cast of This Flesh is Mine includes people through vague excuses to cover up three Palestinian performers from Ashtar, their power-grabs. And it also shows just how and three UK actors, each with an huge a challenge it is to work towards any impressive pedigree at theatres like the kind of reconciliation.” National and the RSC. “It’s an incredible cast,” said Michael. Ashtar Theatre is based in Ramallah, just a few miles from Jerusalem, in the West Bank.
Streetz ahead Bilimankhwe International Theatre
Bilimankhwe International Theatre is an organisation dedicated to promoting artistic collaborations between world cultures. They aim to bring artists together from around the world, using local performance styles and traditional art forms to create vibrant, innovative, inclusive theatre of excellence that is a fusion of East and Mainly focussing on performing arts; Streetz ahead is a registered West, North and South. charity which coaches over 300 young people each week in dance The company was set up in 2005 by Kate Stafford, who had previously founded and drama, both at schools and in their Chocolate Factory studio. Nanzikambe, an award-winning theatre company in Malawi in East Africa. Throughout their time at Streetzahead, children are given the opportunity to try out many different aspects of performance, including Nanzikambe is Chichewa (Malawi local language) for chameleon; Bilimankhwe creating a music video and working towards large scale productions, also means chameleon, a creature central to Malawian culture, appearing in which take place at North London’s renowned Arts Depot. Young many traditional folk tales. It also changes its outward appearance to fit in with people who show promise and dedication can then be invited to its surroundings - echoing the methods used by Bilimankhwe Arts in creating art continue with the organisation, working on projects involving filming from bringing cultures together, collaborating to find a new form of expression. and touring and even taking on a tutor role for the younger groups. www.bilimankhwe-arts.org www.streetzahead.org 16 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts PramDepot Karen Lois Whiteread
It was from the goodness of her heart, and her artistic flare that lead Karen Lois Whiteread to start her new charity project. PramDepot is an arts-lead installation that explores donation, recycling, and austerity, linked to the other organisation Birth Companions, which supports vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers who are, have been, or are at risk of being detained. I had a chance to interview Karen and ask her more about her PramDepot journey.
How did PramDepot So from your practise as an artist, start? what are you exploring through Basically, Pramdepot started because I started the project? training as a birth companion. Birth Companions are an organisation run by volunteers who I project onto buildings and do that sort of stuff, so I support women. It was originally set up for just wanted to come into the studio and do something women in prison and it’s to support women more meaningful and more connected to the other who haven’t got anyone to be with them while aspect of my life which is the Birth Companions they’re in labour. Its about a years training, thing, so it’s bringing a lot of different things together. every weekend, and part of the training was that I never exhibit in galleries, or do that sort of work people started recycling baby clothes and giving so it was a bit more engaging, with a different type baby clothes to women that didn’t have any of person other than, I don’t know, why do you do anything? There’s no deep meaningful answer to that, money. Then that got really problematic because they then started a community service, where it it’s more of how things progressed in my life . wasn’t just women in prison it was women in the community that were referred to us by people How many women does Birth leaving prison, mental health services, vulnerable Companions support? midwife teams etc., and a lot of the women that were being supported through the community I’ve got no idea, but I’ve been running this since had much fewer resources than women who November and since then probably supported 20 or were in prison or leaving prison. So it would be 30 people. What we do is usually give people a Moses women that had no access to child benefit and basket with blankets, sheets, and enough clothes for that sort of thing because they’re waiting for their at least a week for a new-born. Then at the end of asylum outcome or whatever. The community supporting them, which is usually 6 weeks, we give aspect started building, so the needs for the them the next age so 3 to 6 months and some toys for people to get this recycled stuff started growing. both ages. Then, if they need, things like sterilizing units, bouncy chairs, buggies, etc.
What inspired you to do Where do you get donations from? this and how is it art? Well, one of the birth companions posted an ad on free I went to Paris to visit my daughter and we went cycle 2 weeks ago and I’ve had a couple of emails to the Palais De Tokyo which is a contemporary from that. A lot of people are just curious and will art museum and saw a piece there by Christian Google and we come up occasionally. I keep meaning Boltanski called The Museum of Children. It was to hash-tag everything more so that PramDepot comes up and, I’ve also been thinking about doing a website. a room filled with these shelving units all the way round with just thrown in clothes, stuffing We’re on twitter! @PramDepot the whole thing, and it was about memory within the garment and storing these memories within What happens to the clothes after the four walls of the museum. It just really the women are finished with them? struck me, it really hit a nerve and I found it very Some of them give them back and some of them moving and just thought ‘hmm, that looks like pass them on to their friends that are having babies. something that I could think about’. I’ve always Most of the women are either in hostels, temporary worked in a participatory way so there have accommodation, or living in bedsits where there are always been people involved in the work that I other women in their situation, so we’re happy for them do, but I wanted it to be people participating, not to pass them on or sell. A lot of the women are living necessarily in the art, but in the process of the on £36 a week, so if they can swap it for other stuff or idea of turning something that isn’t art into art. whatever, we’re more than happy for them to do that. www.pramdepot.wordpress.com Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 17 Karamel Kids Karamel Kids Midsummer Family Fun Day Summer can be a difficult time for both parents and kids alike, with a real lack of valuable original ways to spend time together that won’t bankrupt you for the next few months before school starts back up. This summer Karamel Kids aim to help with the introduction of the first Family Fete Day for ages four and up. Taking place on June 21st Booster Cushion Theatre and a host of friends will be taking over the area around Karamel in Wood Green to bring a range of exciting activities for the whole crew to enjoy. As well as Booster Cushion’s engaging, interactive plays, there’ll be performances from all your favourites from the Karamel Kids calendar, including Mike Dodsworth Sat 31st May, 11am and his collection of realer-than-life stories, and puppetry magic from Mike Dodsworth Storytelling the Imagination Station gang. You can also try your hand at creating Mike specialises in physically energetic telling with an with book making workshops from Kate Pemberton, poetry with Paul emphasis on interacting with his audiences and bringing Lyalls, and drawing with illustrator and author , Yana Stajno, who all stories to life. He is a collector and performer of stories and promise to get the creativity flowing and give you some great ideas of will tell a range of folk and fairy tales from near and far. how to fill the long summer days with fun. Don’t miss out, and don’t let the boredom win, come and join us at Karamel on June 21st for a party in the street you won’t forget! Sat 21st June Karamel Kids Midsummer Family Fun Day. 11am to 6pm.
Featuring…
Imagination Station Puppets Story Telling from Mike Dodsworth Paul Lyall’s Poetry Haringey Literature Live’s Kate Pemberton presents Book Making Artist Workshops Live Music, And More
And including…
Booster Cushion Theatre’s Old McDonald for the 3 Pigs Plus…
This is a comical show weaving the song ‘Old McDonald’ with the story of the Three Pigs. The pigs get fed up singing ‘eieio’ and move out of the barn to the other side of the farm. They build their own houses only to be visited by a hungry wolf. Luckily, our pigs have planned ahead and have enough dog toys to play with.
This colourful, solo show is ideal for younger children, playing from 3 years old and up. The children help identify farm produce, sing, take part as animals and rear pigs.
www.booster-cushion.co.uk
All events are free. We just ask for a donation into the hat for the artists. 18 The Quarter | Issue 3 | Chocolate Factory Artists | Collage Arts Apprenticeships
In my time on the apprenticeship I was always The documentary that I created during the busy… never a dull moment. If I wasn’t apprentice programme was probably the helping out at art exhibitions or doing sound most enjoyable part- at least it was for me. setup for events, I was at my placement This is due to the fact that I was completely getting experience in a real work environment. in control of my own project from start to You meet other young people like yourself finish, allowing me to take on any artistic and train together, realise your skills and approach that I wanted, whereas in a put them to use with help, and secure any group I might have had to make a lot of placement you feel is the right one for you. compromises. All I had to do was include I haven’t been here long but with all the support and help I got, I know I’m not the only a few aspects of a brief that I was supplied young person who could benefit from this with for the course. apprenticeship. Bearing this in mind, as you can imagine, Everyone you meet is different and I was a full of ideas that otherwise would everywhere you go there are new never have got a look in before – so I opportunities. I heard live jazz for the first decided to include as many as possible. time on the course and even though it’s not The purpose of the documentary was something I’m usually a fan of, it was still a to show my journey from the start of the great experience and insight into culture. course to its audacious conclusion in Another time I helped to do the setup for a addition to the skills that I obtained, the group who played contemporary Indian style skills that I want to develop along with any music, which I was definitely not already a products that I made and how they were fan of , but I still appreciated the opportunity made. to hear the music, and have that experience under my belt. It’s all about trying new things, It took 3 months to complete with explosion putting yourself out there and reaping the effects, falling debris & electrical sparks rewards: all these unique experiences, flying everywhere, the brief said to be creative opportunities, pay, and a work creative so I made sure I was and, as I`ve placement or potential employment. always wanted to have those effects in my In all honesty; I’m a lazy guy who’s never videos, I took advantage of the situation. been very motivated but it’s amazing that doing something you have a passion for can However this was a very risky approach actually be all the motivation and coaching as I was the only apprentice to do this and you need to get into a programme or it could have backfired if it was thought I apprenticeship and better yourself for real. was focusing too much of the effects rather than the content of the brief. If this had Dominic Hunte happened it would have meant that a large amount of time-consuming editing would be Pictures by Jhamel Taylor needed to bring the video into line with the brief, time I could not afford to lose with the amount of coursework that I had to do.
Fortunately for me, the video was met with nothing but praise from my tutors, peers and examiners which led to me passing the criteria for the unit. Due to the success that I got from this video, I am determined to keep on making more short films in order to improve my skills as a filmmaker as it is something that I enjoy doing and wish to continue developing.
Conor Supka
Collage Arts | Chocolate Factory Artists | Issue 3 | The Quarter 19