A Trip Down Memory Lane
Freeze FRAME: The Illustrated Cinemas of Newcastle
Newcastle Tyne Theatre
Monday 1st June to Tuesday 30th June
Newcastle’s
glorious cinema heritage is being celebrated with a new collection of eight
artworks. Heaton based artist and illustrator Ben Holland has been working on
the series of drawings for the last two years and will exhibit the collection
for the first time in one of Newcastle’s most
historic cinema buildings.
The
Tyne Theatre and Opera House, previously the Stoll Picture House on Westgate
Road, first opened its doors as a
cinema on 2nd
June 1919 with a screening of Tarzan of the Apes. 96 years
on, the auditorium will once again be filled with memories of the silver screen
as the collection, entitled Freeze FRAME, is displayed in the theatre,
initially onstage (1st & 2nd June) and then
throughout the remainder of the month in a public exhibition space.
“There’s
something about old cinema buildings, a certain romanticism that I really like.
These drawings try to encapsulate these eras, certainly with a hint of
nostalgia but also with an undercurrent of edginess. Often these were the
places that provided real talking points for their customers, from the news
reel films of the 30’s through to controversial movies of the 70’s, into 90’s
blockbusters and beyond.”
“It’s
not a definitive collection of every Newcastle cinema
by any means – there’s been more than eight for starters. Rather it’s a
snapshot of some of Newcastle’s key
buildings throughout the 20th century. Some of those buildings, like
the Tyne Theatre and Tyneside Cinema are very much still here today. Others,
notably the Odeon on Pilgrim Street are,
shamefully, derelict and further still the Pavilion and ABC have been pulled
down altogether. These new artworks will hopefully both rekindle some memories
as well as add to the debate about the regeneration of Newcastle’s city
centre.”
All
eight artworks have been researched by piecing together several library archive
photographs. Each composition has then been painstakingly hand drawn in pen and
pencil. All limited edition prints are hand coloured after printing – giving
each print a unique touch of originality.
Ben’s
work – which has until now centred around the subject of Newcastle’s pubs
and cafes – has previously been displayed in galleries and venues throughout
the city. He has also previously been nominated as a finalist for The Biscuit
Factory’s UK Young Artist of the Year Award. Freeze FRAME is his first major
solo collection.
Tyne
Theatre & Opera House are thrilled to be playing host to this event and
using the stage space in a different way. Attendees are welcomed to join Ben
and his work on stage on Monday 1st June from 7pm to 9pm. Freeze
FRAME will stay on stage on Tuesday 2nd June from 10am to 3.30pm
then moved to a gallery location within the Tyne Theatre & Opera House for
the duration of June 2015.
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FREE ENTRY. On Stage Exhibition:
Mon 1st June from 7pm to 9pm, Tues 2nd June from 10am to 3.30pm. Gallery Exhibition: From Wed 3rd to Tues 30th
June (Mon to Fri only) 10am to 3.30pm.
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On The Web:
Website:
www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Twitter:
twitter.com/tyneoperahouse
Theatre
Address: 109 – 119 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG
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