5.6.13 - 30.6.13 Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil
Wow! What a lovely place to round up the tour! Appropriate too that it should finish at this end of the Common, where the history of the place resonates. Pity that our Grahame couldn't be there on his old patch, but a strange and fitting coincidence that Mayor Graham Davies should be here to open our event on the 5th. Many thanks to the museum for hosting such a lovely evening!See the Gallery for photos.
6.3.13 - Hanbury Chapel Library, Bargoed
Great to see the exhibition coming 'home' to Bargoed in this beautifully restored building which has become a bit of a hub in this community. Local law firm Michael Leighton Jones Solicitors sponsored a private opening event for guests from the local community, businesses, schools, colleges and Caerphilly Council. Hoping there will be continued interest and feedback from all those in this community who really know their common before the exhibition leaves its 'place of birth' on 27th of this month.See the Gallery for photos.
13.2.13 - ITV Wales News at 6pm
Nice little piece about 'Common Sense' on the news this evening, but please note - it's Gigi Jones not Rogers! Check out the ITV News video link
6.2.13 - The Senedd
Opened by our sponsor Jeff Cuthbert AM in another fascinating building, the home of the National Assembly for Wales, 'Common Sense' was performed by the music students from RWCMD along with Tony Curtis. Drama student Melangell Dolma (also RWCMD) read in Welsh for Grahame Davies, who unfortunately couldn't join us on this occasion. We were honoured to have Dai Smith of the Arts Council of Wales to speak at length from the point of view of a historian, expert on Welsh arts and culture with personal roots in the Valleys.
A chilly night with all that slate, so many thanks to our distinguished visitors and ITV, and hope you make it to see the paintings in the flesh - next door in the Pierhead building!
Another wonderful performance by the students conducted by Ben Thompson:-
Beverley Coats - percussion
Michaela-Daisy Evans - clarinet
Ruth Hallows - 'cello
Paul Israel - piano
Bridget Mansfield - viola
Eric Wolfe-Gordon - oboeSee the Gallery for photos.
A chilly night with all that slate, so many thanks to our distinguished visitors and ITV, and hope you make it to see the paintings in the flesh - next door in the Pierhead building!
Another wonderful performance by the students conducted by Ben Thompson:-
Beverley Coats - percussion
Michaela-Daisy Evans - clarinet
Ruth Hallows - 'cello
Paul Israel - piano
Bridget Mansfield - viola
Eric Wolfe-Gordon - oboeSee the Gallery for photos.
2.2.13 - 4.3.13 - Pierhead Futures Gallery, Cardiff
What a lovely building - both inside and out! The film of the history of the building in the Bay (downstairs) is not to be missed if you're coming to see the exhibition upstairs. Audio guides with headphones are available as usual to take in the music and poetry whilst taking your time with the paintings. The gallery is beautifully lit and has a great view over the Senedd, where the launch event will take place on Wednesday 6th.
Pierhead Futures Gallery
See the Gallery for photos.
Pierhead Futures Gallery
See the Gallery for photos.
5.1.13 - 27.1.13 - Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson
Congratulations to all who managed to get through the snow to see the exhibition in this wonderful historic setting - at least the permanent residents were able to see it! Special thanks to the Friends of Llancaiach and the members of Bargoed & District Art Society who did make it and gave their time to welcome intrepid visitors and look after the exhibition. Good to see it come home to the edge of the Common!
17.12.12 - Wales Millenium Centre - Glanfa Stage
Common Sense was showcased at this prestigious venue on the Glanfa Stage in the main foyer in the evening - a free treat for all passing through as well as those who came especially. Grahame Davies and Tony Curtis presented their poetry alongside the players from the Welsh National Opera, lead by Mervyn Burtch with Gigi Jones' paintings presented on this occasion on TV screens. The four collaborators were pleased to be working once again with the same musicians who recorded the music for the Common Sense DVD/Exhibition catalogue :- Peter Fielding (clarinet), Phil Girling (percussion), Philip Heyman (viola), Gillian Taylor (oboe/cor anglais), Christopher Vale (piano) and Dewi watkins ('cello). Good to see Arts Council of Wales' Nick Capaldi and David Alston there!See the Gallery for photos.
For enquiries about buying the DVD/Exhibition catalogue (educational discounts available)- please email :-
[email protected]
For enquiries about buying the DVD/Exhibition catalogue (educational discounts available)- please email :-
[email protected]
24.11.12 - 29.12.12 - Art Central, Barry
Common Sense opened in this lovely gallery on the Friday 24th with a valiant audience attending despite the very inclement weather! Councillor Eric Hacker opened the evening and Tony Curtis, Gigi Jones and Mervyn Burtch all spoke about the parts they each played in this collaboration. Unfortunately Grahame Davies was unable to attend on this occasion, although one of his poems in Welsh was read by Mrs Rita Burtch.
Tony Curtis and Gigi Jones attended the Friends of Art Central Christmas gathering at the gallery on the 13th December to celebrate with the Friends of the Gallery who very generously have given their time to look after the exhibition during its five week stay at the gallery.
In addition to the Common Sense work on show at Art Central Gallery, Gigi Jones is showing a substantial body of her other work - in the form of landscape paintings from Wales and France, drawings, and theatre designs and props, many of which she intends to donate to local school, Barry Island Primary, when the exhibition closes at the end of the year. See the Gallery for photos.
Tony Curtis and Gigi Jones attended the Friends of Art Central Christmas gathering at the gallery on the 13th December to celebrate with the Friends of the Gallery who very generously have given their time to look after the exhibition during its five week stay at the gallery.
In addition to the Common Sense work on show at Art Central Gallery, Gigi Jones is showing a substantial body of her other work - in the form of landscape paintings from Wales and France, drawings, and theatre designs and props, many of which she intends to donate to local school, Barry Island Primary, when the exhibition closes at the end of the year. See the Gallery for photos.
30.10.12 - 17.11.12 - Risca Palace Library
The former Risca Palace Cinema - newly refurbished as a library made a wonderful setting for the exhibition, with its welcoming, airy and well-lit spaces. Many thanks go to the helpful staff who looked after the exhibition and helped the 600 odd visitors with audio guides and information. It was very pleasing to see such interest shown by both young and older visitors, many of whom know the Common well.
30.9.12 - Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
The new main foyer of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama overlooking Cardiff’s Bute Park made a very pleasant and impressive setting for a most enjoyable performance of ‘Common Sense’ on Sunday. Tony and Grahame were accompanied on this occasion by a very professional ensemble of music students from the College, marking the beginning of the exhibition’s stay there. Conducted by Ben Thompson, Mervyn’s music was played by Beverly Coats (percussion), Michaela-Daisy Evans (clarinet), Eric Wolfeson-Gordon (oboe), Ruth Hallows (‘cello), Paul Israel (piano) and Mary Kelly (viola). See the Gallery for photos.
The same group will perform the piece again in the Dora Stoutzker Hall on Wednesday at lunchtime, when student actors will present Grahame and Tony’s poetry, accompanied by projected images of Gigi’s paintings. The paintings are now in the College’s Linbury Gallery until the end of the month, where visitors can take in the exhibition at their own pace with the music and poetry provided on audio guides with headphones.
GO TO COLLEGE WEBSITE
The same group will perform the piece again in the Dora Stoutzker Hall on Wednesday at lunchtime, when student actors will present Grahame and Tony’s poetry, accompanied by projected images of Gigi’s paintings. The paintings are now in the College’s Linbury Gallery until the end of the month, where visitors can take in the exhibition at their own pace with the music and poetry provided on audio guides with headphones.
GO TO COLLEGE WEBSITE
25.9.12 - The Making of Common Sense
Visit the Gallery for the brand new 'Making of' Common Sense video - a short film showing how the Common Sense project began and took shape. Interviews with the painter, the poets, and the composer give an insight into the creative minds of these individuals and how together, they combined their art forms to create a beautiful masterpiece.
Produced, Filmed & Edited by Craig Oats
GO TO THE VIDEO PAGE
Music © Mervyn Burtch
Poems © Tony Curtis & © Grahame Davies
Paintings & Artwork © Gigi Jones 2012
Produced, Filmed & Edited by Craig Oats
GO TO THE VIDEO PAGE
Music © Mervyn Burtch
Poems © Tony Curtis & © Grahame Davies
Paintings & Artwork © Gigi Jones 2012
7.09.12 - Common Sense Launch
The Common Sense tour started with a very successful launch event in Ty Penallta Council Offices, Ystrad Mynach, with an enthusiastic audience of around 130 and hospitality in the form of delicious local produce provided by Countryside & Landscape Services. The performance by the 6 piece ensemble of WNO musicians and poets Tony and Grahame, was introduced by Mayor Gaynor Oliver. There followed a very entertaining and eloquent address from Walter Humphries (Headteacher, ESIS advisor, writer and publisher) who had much to say about the significance of both the Common as a location and the merits of the Arts in this format for the borough. Photos from the event will be available in the Gallery section of this site soon!
Following the launch (10th-22nd September), the exhibition moved to the Atrium of the same building where it has attracted great interest, not least from the pupils of St Gwladys Primary School, who caught the train from Bargoed and walked up from the station especially, to come and see and hear it all with audio guides. Gigi was most impressed by their insightfulness and directness, and the sensitivity of their observations about the Paintings, Music and Poetry.
The next stop for Common Sense is the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, starting in the foyer on the 30th September with a live performance with student musicians, moving to the Linbury gallery on 1st October, and with a lunchtime performance with student players in the Dora Stoutzker Hall on 3rd October.
See the Your Comments page for some comments from attendees of the launch, and subsequent days of the exhibition.
Following the launch (10th-22nd September), the exhibition moved to the Atrium of the same building where it has attracted great interest, not least from the pupils of St Gwladys Primary School, who caught the train from Bargoed and walked up from the station especially, to come and see and hear it all with audio guides. Gigi was most impressed by their insightfulness and directness, and the sensitivity of their observations about the Paintings, Music and Poetry.
The next stop for Common Sense is the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, starting in the foyer on the 30th September with a live performance with student musicians, moving to the Linbury gallery on 1st October, and with a lunchtime performance with student players in the Dora Stoutzker Hall on 3rd October.
See the Your Comments page for some comments from attendees of the launch, and subsequent days of the exhibition.
22.08.2012 - A Taster
Carreg Maen Hir
You can now sample a bit of Common Sense, from the comfort of your own computer! Just head over to the Gallery, where you can see samples of the paintings, photographs from Common Sense events, and videos combining the paintings, music and poetry - a sample of the live Common Sense experience!
30.7.2012 - The Big Cheese
Gigi was at the Big Cheese festival in Caerphilly with the project this weekend - Common Sense's first outing!
She says:'Great to see so many taking such an interest with so many other things going on at Caerphilly Castle this weekend! Many thanks to all of you who gave such interesting feedback about the paintings. Yet again, fascinating to hear about people's personal connections with the Common.' Please do share some more on the 'Your Common' page, and see the 'Gallery' page for photos from the Big Cheese!
Here's a brief update on the weekend's events:-
Saturday 28th July 2012
Comment of the day (out of the mouths of babes);-
The contributor is Leo, aged five, so can't be expected to post this himself, even though he probably could. He was keeping me company while the ladies' choir were on, and we were drawing pictures together. I told him that I did the pictures on display, and he said 'You did all those?' 'Yes' I replied, to my (I thought) easily impressed audience. He paused, then asked 'Why did you do so many?' I gave him one of my postcards of the painting with a horse in it, and he obligingly did some lovely writing on the back, including his own name in perfect script. I was honoured when he asked me to write mine on there too, and so I duly signed it in my usual way. He then turned round and told me in no uncertain terms that that was ALL WRONG and that I must do it properly! Thanks Leo!
Sunday 29th July 2012
The audio guides were suddenly in demand after the bands finished - very positive feedback on the multimedia experience from the very young to the more mature - all seemed to very much enjoy listening and looking at the same time, and were ready to have a good chat about it afterwards! Thanks everyone for such interesting feedback!
30.4.12 - Poetry Wales
The Common Sense project gets a mention in the current issue of Poetry Wales (Spring 12) accompanied by 5 of Grahame and Tony's poems.