See you at the border! Winter and Kurth
The BCFA Open series continues this year with our second Manchester Open on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th October. After meeting Winter and Kurth at New Designers One Year On we asked the Manchester based duo to tell us more about the creative hotspots in their home city.
Exciting things are happening on the border of Manchester and Salford. Both Islington Mill and Paradise Works, are important creative spaces spanning both cities and have provided happy homes to our emerging design practice ‘Winter and Kurth’.
Following the completion of our MA’s at the Manchester School of Art, we began our journey with three friends in a shared studio space at Islington Mill. We were a mix of textiles. graphics, photography and interior product, a microcosm of the inter-disciplinary community which can be found at the mill.
“Scratch the surface and you’ll find a vibrant and resourceful cross disciplinary creative network; a space where conversations leads to connections, collaboration and co-creation.” Islington Mill
Since the Mill began in 2000 it has supported more than 5000 artists from 35 countries and more than15,000 people visit the building every year. It is a remarkable space where public arts programmes, residencies and galleries sit alongside recording studios, an events space and a beautiful Bed and Breakfast that sits at the heart of the industrial grounds. Its cobbled courtyard provides a perfect spot to bring people together. Music and visual arts mix with events and exhibitions.
During a period of business development, we took up an invitation to join up and coming ‘Paradise Works’ a new artist run initiative providing studios & project space to a community of proactive, intergenerational, contemporary artists. Established in April 2017, it is currently home to 28 artists working across sculpture, installation, painting, drawing, design, film, audio, performance, photography & curation. The last couple of months have seen us set up our own studio space whilst contributing to the wider development of this important initiative.
“Paradise Works outlook is local, national and international. We believe artists play a vital role in the development of a vibrant and diverse city. It aims to create a sustainable urban model for artist-led activity in the growing arts ecology across the Salford & Manchester border.” Paradise Works
We have been commissioned to create an ambitious façade for the group’s new gallery space, which will host a programme of curated exhibitions, residencies, screenings and events for emerging, mid-career and established artists. Paradise Works launches its new gallery, studios and inaugural exhibition over the weekend of 28th and 29th October, coinciding with group’s presence at The Manchester Contemporary 2017.
Whilst you are visiting Manchester Open why not discover these creative hotspots; be sure to explore the active edge between Manchester and Salford where Islington Mill and Paradise Works play a vital role in housing some of the city’s most exciting creative practitioners.
Contact Winter and Kurth