On Friday night was Derby's 'Feste' event to celebrate the opening of the new Derby Quad.
It was a really good, entertaining night. The highlight for me was Sarruga who are a Spanish street art company. I missed them when they performed for the opening of the local shopping centre when they paraded huge Dragons through the streets in celebration. This time they created wonderful insects. There was an ant, black widow spider, a huge praying mantis and more. With music blaring and spectacular lighting of the insects and even the spraying of steam above the audiences heads. It was quite an amazing spectacle.
The Quad building itself was quite dissapointing. To me it just doesn't look big enough. However it was very busy and extremely hard to get around to look at things so I will reserve full judgement until I can visit again at a calmer time.
The commissioned exhibition Spiteful of Dream by Jane & Louise Wilson was interesting. Quad said they wanted to comission something spectacular but in my opinion this is far from that. It is however very interesting and relates to the history of Derby. I liked the fact that it left me feeling a little light headed because of the effect of all the little parts of the images moving slightly in different directions.
I look forward to seeing more at the Quad.
I was in the studio on Saturday and had a really good day. I progressed my two current paintings into a nearly finished stage so I need to allow them to dry for a few days before I can touch them again. I would get on with other work but I am waiting for materials to arrive at the moment. I hope to have received delivery by Thursday at the latest so fingers crossed I will be in the studios then.
