Test Space Opens

Test Space opened its doors at both sites mostly on time.
After collecting work over the previous week, we sat at in 42 New Briggate, the day before our opening, looking at the prepped walls and knew the work was just getting started. Our team grew, friends had already been pulled previously, we got lucky with volunteers. Stephen Langdon came in to finish dropping work off, he got drafted in to help, Liz Minns with fresh experience from the Brudenell social club exhibition 'Prime Cut' and Test Space's best find- Debi Holbrook; with her drill, her drive and ability to just not stop helping.
We got to work.
With Test Space cataloguing and storage system working to perfection, furniture more or less in place, a free-standing flyer rail (that Neil of Test Space insisted we use), we started to lay out the first exhibition. Some manoeuvring later, some work went up, some more manoeuvring later and more work went up.
9pm rolled round and we were getting round to finishing. It looked good. Mr. Yen's delicate cut-outs, Ferre's big painted canvases Tom Morris and Jay Maude's photos and of course the amazing image by Justin Gratsy made us feel we were ready for the first opening night. Not to forget Catherine Chialton and her Deep Dark Voyages print, so, so cool.
Only Crash Records exhibition to do then.
Friday morning and the Test enlarged team arrived bright and early to create another exhibition. The work was laid out, equipment arrived and the work, almost smoothly, went up. Furniture was place and replaced, moved and tried out, items were laid out for sale, relaid-out and moved one more time.
Suddenly 3pm came round the corner and we so close to finishing. Anybody who turned up was then drafted in to finish, as on time as possible.
ABC Club kicked things off, shortly followed by the acoustic songs of Charlie Bath. The music was great, a five piece band on a tiny stage, rocking out in the afternoon. Charlie slowed things down nicely, her guitar stylings calming us all down.
Lastly, not long before we were to close the Crash opening, our crack team of Sound guys helped Laura J Martin organise her equipment for her unique and beautiful musical creations.
Test Space did falter for a second as Laura gently let us know we did not have a piece of kit she really needed. 'Shit' was the only response we (I mean just Steve of Test Space) could manage. Gratefully she soldiered on, only stopping half-way through the first song due the the lack of said kit. Laura carried on, undaunted, and was, as usual fabulous. Her flute playing classy, singing soft and sweet, ukulele fun and her ability to do all this while looping the sounds she is making at the same time was, as usual, staggering.
You can not beat a bit if Laura J Martin's music.
At Crash you would have seen the amazing composition of Tom Martin's photos, the graffiti influenced photos of Moenipulation and the pretty mindscape prints of Steph Says Hello. 42 we have already mentioned.
Then onto the grand opening of our take over of 42 New Briggate.
We laid on some booze to help things start at Crash, more was on hand at 42, some kind people even brought their own to share and some lovely Test Space buns had been made. The relaxed atmosphere of a gallery opening descended and we finally began the relax. The first day of the festival was almost done, it had gone almost to plan. We could sit, talk to people, drink just a little (remembering there was more to do tomorrow). Or watch the feverish drawings of Limn X Limn as they drew using an Over-head-projector each, displaying them for all to see and listen to I Dream in Metaphors play her songs in the back room of 42.
The only little problem was the heat of the evening. In the back room Limn drawing over what is basically a hot light bulb, stuck behind a plastic sheet, looked like they were working in a sweat-shop. When asked if anything could be done to help them, water maybe? There response was 'no, its alright we've got cider'.
But for a glimpse of the whole event take a look at our flickr.
Before this post finishes we must remember to mention Rabbit Portal for his hard work and beautiful window picture, he created for us all evening (and some of the day after).
We had just eight more days of events to go.

Test Space Leeds working hard for our festival

Work hard.
Yesterday was another long day, the Test Space team spent the day at our temporary events space 42 New Briggate, testing equipment (the internet connection), going through submissions (on the internet), emailing contributors (through the internet), buying equipment (on the internet) and painting (with a brush).
Then off to Crash Records to test out some things there as well.
The rest of the time, we dropped off posters and flyers. So if you're in a shop or a bar in Leeds look around, in some dank corner where they could not fit anything else you may see a stack of our promotional material, it may be on top, to the side or underneath and pile of other flyers.
Right now our time is limited. Writing this means I am probably forgetting something else, an message to send, an action to take. I probably should be somewhere else.
What we always make time for are meetings. Now, we like meeting people, getting to know what the people involved with our festival want to do, talking about what will go on. It makes things happen, gives us more stuff to use, helps our plans and enthuses us. Over the last few days we have had a few.
Some people come to our spaces, others take us to various places in the city.
Last night we had a lovely meeting with some of the Temple Works gang. We have ideas, they have ideas, we should do some ideas together. I think you would call this a 'strategy meeting'. Unfortunately this took place at the Midnight Bell. An hour turned into two. We spoke to some others that came to meet us and them. This could no longer be called a meeting. When you're talking to somebody about Canada, London and Beeston, then hear to the side of you the other half of Test Space arguing about Leeds Utd and Chelsea, you know this is just fun.
I think this is part of why we are creating these events. Why Test Space is what we want to do. We want that time where work and fun combine.
And we do not stop.
After excusing ourselves, we headed off to check an event out. This one did not work out so well for us. We ended up missing this event. We do not like to miss anything, so this was very annoying. We sucked it up, had another little drink and planned our next move. We definitely have plans, some maybe even dark plans, but all for the benefit of Leeds culture.

Bettakultcha 2

Our friend Phil Kirby is much better at writing about this event than we ever could be, still this is something we have to tell people about.
The Test Space team met up once again for another unusual event we had heard about; Betta Kultcha. Outside Temple Works we looked at the beautiful entrance way, it is a fantastic place in an industrial estate just south of the Train Station (through the dark arches, past the car park, turn right, past the cross keys, left after the Tesco and just walk on a bit), we shuffled off to the side entrance and were welcomed by the buzz nervous people organising and happy people already drinking. You bring your own booze to these events. We waited for the start of the fun, for the hush and lights out. With our first bottles open it began.
It is a simple concept; somebody has a passion, an idea, an obsession or need to rant. They pick 20 images to prove their point and five minutes to tell an audience about it. Get about 8 or 9 of these people together, a laptop and projector, let people drink and you have yourself one great evening.
The audience settled down, an introduction to the events was given and we were off. We won't be telling you all of the talks given, its just too much. But a few highlights can be described.
Bangsandabun (Muireann) was up first and not one to be shy gave a rousing talk about a successful stalking of some guy from the 'Wire' series. The other half of Test Space certainly agreed with much of what she spoke about. If you check out her website I'm sure she will give you many more of her opinions.
DJBogtrotter (Noel Curry) was up next and spoke all about his love of web comics. It was great stuff, Test Space loves comics, so to learn more about what is going online kept interest high. He has been so inspired he now creates his own. Any recommendations for us of online comics will be gratefully be received. Cheers.
Leeds Hack Space was another great topic, Jonathan @squiggle the champion for this group spoke well. Held in the childhood stomping group one half of Test Space, Holbeck, Leeds now has its own Hack space. Mad geniuses and demented scientists creating robots, genetic monstrosities and anything their tiny budget allows. This group is funded by donations and each other, they work together, supporting and improving the creations they come-up with. We will be giving them a visit. We want to see what they are up to.
I think we have to speak a little about the Leeds Savages Rob and Maria. They had a lot to say about this re-invention of a Victorian group, Phil Kirby has more to say about them than we will, he is a Savage himself and he does not believe a word of what they say. Much of what they spoke about rang well with us, Leeds deserves more, much more than Leeds Live it, Love it. We deserve genuine culture and creatively.
Much more went on a talk about tips for travel, two guys speaking about giving life your all and one about Betta Kultcha. The talks ended and we spilled out into the pub next door. Slowly more and more of the people from the event filled up the place and the discussions continued until they were thrown out. We, beered up to the eye balls rolled out and to our homes.
We will be there for the next Betta Kultcha 3 and we have plans for our own little rant.

DoodleFest

Not last Friday, but the Friday before,
TestSpace went out in the afternoon, we had heard about something happening at the club- Subculture. Known as a goth club we did not know what to expect, still with open hearts and hope we walked round the side of the Merrion Centre, and through those dark doors.
So it was with great surprise and glee that we walked down stairs into the venue and saw an eclectic bunch of people taking part in an all day art event- Doodlefest. Most had black markers in hand, creating drawings of figures, mindscapes, blobs, curvy ladies, monsters, machines and other strange, beautiful, ugly and funny images onto the freshly painted, white walls. Handing over a small entrance fee walked in and listened to noise of the illustrators and their friends talking to each other, laughing and drinks been bought. We did the only thing we could, we sat down with a beer each and spoke about what we were seeing.
Along side the work, there were a number of small stalls in the middle of the room, cup cakes, trinkets, postcards and other small items were on sale. It was a light, festive feel, people working enjoying their time there.
We managed to collar the manager and she told us of her hopes for this event. She wanted to take a new look at the club, for people to do the same, offer something else and create a new feel to place. This was a great way to start. The Test Space team walked round the room and spoke to some of the people taking part, many had being there since the morning and would not be leaving until the early hours, others had just got there and were digging right in. The workers got a large canvas to work from, the audience got to enjoy others work. Its never a problem to watch others work. It was not a small task, just about every wall had to be covered, so the event was definitely going to last for a good while.
Then came the band.
We were happily chatting to some illustrators when Bunty, an organiser of Doodlefest, was ushering the band on and kindly removing us from being in their way. We walked back to the bar, another few beers and the started to music play. It felt like a jam, rough and unrehearsed, cool, friends playing for friends. I believe it was a least some of Mojo 57, I could be mistaken, either way it lifted the workers, and felt a lot like an evening session.
By this time we had been there for over three hours, I had to leave. Life pulled me away, the other half of Test Space stayed, beer, live music and people making work, what more could he as for.
Later.
We have have seen the manager since, she told us of the tiredness at the end, the bodies lying fatigued, the party much more a sleep over, it was worth it. The place looks good, they have earned a long rest.
Check out the new look, watch out for new nights, remember Subculture.

Manchester

Lets take a look at what is good in the North's other major city.
We at Test Space feel its important to find good ideas and see what is going on out and around. The city over the wrong side of the Pennines has a lot to offer it so we had a look.
Top of the list is Noise Lab is producing all sorts lovely art, sound and events all from the city's young minds. Look at the site and enjoy. Better still if you find yourself in the land of Bodingtons pay it a visit. Located at 42 Market Street, Manchester, M1 1PW, see if there is anything on, check out the exhibition space on the first floor, buy something you can not get anyway else or drink a coffee at the cafe. These guys have big plans so keep your eyes on them. We have a little 'in' with one or two of the people that run the place, so we were lucky enough to have a tour of it. I think you can tell we were impressed.
Another place we checked out is a sweet little place called Nexus. A great looking cafe, flowers on the tables, installations round the room. They do music, video work, food and comfort and have cool-cool people sitting there like they just don't care. It is linked to the methodist church across the road, which explains the lack of alcohol in a place that begs for European beers and Pims. It stays open until 5am, lovely but I want to have my beer. A true crime, even if it does love itself.
We only a few hours so we took a quick view in Cornerhouse. Now this is a professional approach. The gallery, shop, bar and across the road its cinema. I so want to go and see something there so much, I will be back, o yes. I'm thinking Leeds needs this, I love Hyde Park cinema, but we in the première city deserve a classic style cinema in the city centre. It makes me dream of the Screen on the Green in Islington. I'll running away from topic, so back I come.
Ideas, hopes and the future. These are gems that make Test Space think big. I won't go on about the ICA or the now lost to us Shunt of London. It makes me happy to know all these places are possible.

Floppelgangers

So.
Catching up on the Leeds scene has brought the Test Space team to the old T K Maxx shop in the old Bond Street centre (you may know it as Leeds Shopping Plaza).
We had looked at what Leeds is doing for art, design, fashion, any creative endeavour and seen Art in unusual spaces. A great initiative to put art in unused shop spaces in Leeds, excellent.
Inside the shopping centre there were a two exhibitions. One on the ground floor, this used the window fronts of about 7 shop units as spaces for artists. The installation piece with flickering light and origami hanging to create freaky, spooky bat at night feel.
Then came he Floppelgangers.
A fantastic exhibition created using mostly material left in the space. It is a big space and the artists have tried to use all of it. Performance, installations and hung work of all kinds. Particularly the lighting piece that used the ceiling lighting tiles. Most encouraging was the artists resourceful use of what was to hand. It felt light and friendly, even if we had to stand outside and wait for exhibition to open.
A good time was had by all.