*SPARKLEMELT* was born and took place at System Gallery, Bar Loco, Newcastle. Opening night on 16th of March 2013 with the exhibition running for 2 weeks.
We had a great response from a whole multitude of artists creating a variety of works from illustration, fine art, graphics, sculpture, fabric work, video, sound, installation and print work. After much support from System Gallery the show was ready for hanging and the collective pulled together and put up a great show. To launch the exhibiton we decided to have an opening party with some great musical acts to provide the entertainment and have a good old fashioned knees up party.
The contributing artists for the exhibition are as follows:
Dan Ash, Len Allwood, Laura McDonald, Euan Thomson, Benjamin Newell, Amy Baker, Marion Airley, Thomas F Newell, Wolf Mask, Simone Huntley, Rob Burns, Ray Favourite, Andy Playford, Mani Kambo, Chris Folwell, Laura Cartwright, Davey Miller, Lewis MacDonald, Alistair Quietsch and Toni Hamill.
A great response and contribution with a tremendous wealth of great art.
To kick off the night we had a premier live performance from WolfStig & Alan, creating a brand new live improv ambient experience right in the heart of the exhibition. The crowd listened intently as they viewed the work and really
absorbed themselves in the melty aura created by the trio. The live
performance can be heard HERE.
With the exhibition officailly open on the top floor of Bar Loco, the main entertainment started on the middle floor allowing people to flow upstairs and downstairs between art, music and bar, like a proper house party.
First up we were treated to an exclusive improv set from glasgow based solo musician Deathpodal. Utilising electric guitar, a myriad of pedals and a large synth he carved out his unique brand of music with elements of the unknown as well as tracks from his debut EP. Deathpodal kick started the evening nicely.
Next was STIG. Based in Newcaslte, STIG has been creating and working as an electronic composer, multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter for many many years. Sparklemelt was to be his first performance live playing acoustic. A great honour for Sparklemelt as he played wonderful set of brand new songs, enrapturing the audience and taking their breath away with his beautiful playing, performing and song craft.
The next act in proceedings was from Shambolica!'s own performance trio of colour, light and chaos - Klaus, Baron & Tertre!
After the performance and plenty face paint and glitter being passed around the audience, the night turned up another gear with an exceptional live music performance from the most excellent of local bands, the mighty electro pop duo - THE TURING TEST. Utilising a great mix of live instrumentation, midi controlled beats and sounds with electric drums they had the crowd moving and dancing with a visceral and sparkling performance of their great tunes.
To complete the live musical performances and with the crowd in a great dancing mood came the might ROBOT DEATH MONKEY and their brand of groovy tuned stoner rock. Ripping through a super tight knit set the crowd were bouncing and moshing in true shambo style. After the track "Gary Dunham" was changed to "Alan Shearer" for the local crowd, the band could do no wrong and the room was bouncing. On their last track they were joined by main event organiser Thomas F Newell on guitar with a special track created for the event.
To bring the whole night to a triumphant close we had a great set of electro from cumbria beats master - Deaf Eric. Mixing and mashing it up, the party atmosphere was in full flow as was the face paint and most of all the love and creative vibes.
The whole *SPARKLEMELT* experience was incredible. Truly touched by all the creative participation from all the artists and musicians and blown away by the support from the local people who got involved with the fun. A greatly positive experience bringing together loads of wonderful people all in the name of being creative and being SHAMBOLICA!
Big thanks to all the artists, musicians and the people!
And massive special thanks to Egle from System Gallery and Joe Fowler for taking the photos.
The best compliment we received we could get was - "when is the next sparklemelt?". Enough said.
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