Trailer; Cracktown v1.0 at Norwich Playhouse (the final UK show)
Show runs from September 1st (12noon+) – September 30th (-3.00pm)
Norwich Playhouse
42 – 58 St. George’s Street
Norwich, NR3 1AB
Show runs from September 1st (12noon+) – September 30th (-3.00pm)
Norwich Playhouse
42 – 58 St. George’s Street
Norwich, NR3 1AB
Brutal landscapes and works of industrial decay at Norwich Playhouse Galleries
September 1st (12noon+) – September 30th (-3.00pm)
Phil Barrington and The Norwich Playhouse invite you to the final leg of his 2009 ‘Cracktown v1.0’ show, taking up residency in both of the Norwich Playhouse galleries for the entire month of September – with the Private View on Wednesday 9th September. The private view is from 5pm-7pm, but Phil will be imbibing in the neighbouring Playhouse Bar afterwards if anyone wants a personalised, somewhat lubricated viewing after that time.
Known for his stark, oppressive landscapes and figures with obscured faces, Phil produces and near-destroys stunning contemporary photographic works which are executed with a morbid attention to detail, lovingly enhanced with scratches, bleach, acrylic and spray paint with varying degrees of subtlety. National Geographic this is not.
Come, partake in a beverage or two on the night, for sale from the Playhouse Bar, polish off a few gorgeous savouries from Barrington’s free wandering platter (served by Florian Van Jannel), and inspect this collection of truly unique photographic work that exude contemporary feelings of media-enhanced doom with a healthy dash of nihilism (or maybe not?). This distinctive show will feature memorable works of sociopathy and moral failure, fused with beautiful images of grue and rust, also including one brand spanking new work from a future series, never before seen anywhere in the world.
“I cannot make up my mind whether or not this final exhibition, at the superb Playhouse, will either be more ‘intimate’, or my ‘in your face’ in its presentation this time around”, Phil says with drunken glee. “I’ve certainly gone back and changed my curatorial ideas for this final showing, hopefully spicing things up a little before this mini-tour bows out gracefully and the curtain falls.”
“Because I am an impatient sort, I’ve decided at the last moment to damn conceptual conventions and disregard a couple of previously seen works from this tour, exhibiting one brand new work in their place; never before seen by anyone else, this work is probably one of my most boldest images yet, and a definite indicator of my work for 2010.”
Open to the public from Wednesday 1st September, Barrington’s show runs until the end of the month before his Cracktown v 1.0 Tour 2009 grinds to an inevitable close. More information on future Barrington shows will always be found here.
Norwich Playhouse
42 – 58 St. George’s Street
Norwich, NR3 1AB
The galleries are usually open from 10am until the building closes each day. Occasionally the Upper Gallery is closed early – please phone ahead (01603 612580) if you intend to view the work in the evening.
A possible interpretation of the theme included; historic buildings, landmarks and features from individual ancient walls to Renaissance buildings – demonstrate how our local heritage represents the past and the future of West Norfolk. Another interpretation of the theme could have been; diverse landscapes, from urban parks and rolling fields to stunning seascapes.
Phil curated/hung the show with long-time partner-in-crime ‘JP’ under direction from Helen Gooding, Marketing & Development Manager for the King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council.
Mr. Barrington stated; “Although my own work can be quite far removed from the themes presented in many of the works in this show, I accepted the very kind offer to get involved with this show because I totally support the idea of amateur photographers getting more exposure and I am attracted to striking images of rural/urban history, the passing of time, and the ‘light amongst the dark’. The winners certainly reflected those elements in their work. It was great fun indeed.”