February 14, 2011
This weekend east Oxford played host to a unique warehouse party, as artists and musicians of the Blessing Force community staged a two-day takeover of the Old Bookbinders on Green Street.
Creatively, the event was not based on any specific concept, and artists were invited to produce new pieces of their choosing. The result of this blank-canvas invitation was spectacular and for forty eight hours, the high-ceilinged warehouse space was transformed by an inspiring array of sounds, colours and 3D installations.
An impressive variety of entertainment was on offer, and performers ranged from illustrators, screen-printers and sculptors to videographers, bands and DJs. Happily, the skilful and creative use of space meant that one room was able to house performers, art work, audience - even a clothing stall - without causing the warehouse to feel chaotic or claustrophobic.
With artists and musicians of all kinds on the bill, the party attracted the inevitable crowd of hipster ‘creatives.’ Asymmetrical haircuts and thick-rimmed glasses were in plentiful supply, and a large proportion of the guests could be seen nonchalantly wielding expensive-looking SLR cameras.
With a running time of seven-hours each day, and a limited space to play with, Blessing Force made every effort to keep guests entertained throughout. Several of the exhibits provided opportunities for audience interaction. For instance, for his multi-media installation, Dave Ma invited guests to participate in a series of portraits, taken on site, and to write messages exploring the hopes and fears that can come from recognising one’s place in the universe and the connectivity of all things.
Portraits and messages were then projected onto canvas, creating an unpredictable installation that evolved over the course of the weekend and - with its blend of humour and insightfulness - documented the personality of the event itself.
The fact that The Bookbinders is shortly to close as an events venue only strengthened the party’s enchanting feeling of exclusivity. It won’t be long before parties at the Bookbinders are a thing of the past, and Blessing Force, along with the myriad of artists and the enthusiastic audience, are to be congratulated for creating a truly spellbinding weekend that everyone involved in will look back on and smile.
Creatively, the event was not based on any specific concept, and artists were invited to produce new pieces of their choosing. The result of this blank-canvas invitation was spectacular and for forty eight hours, the high-ceilinged warehouse space was transformed by an inspiring array of sounds, colours and 3D installations.
An impressive variety of entertainment was on offer, and performers ranged from illustrators, screen-printers and sculptors to videographers, bands and DJs. Happily, the skilful and creative use of space meant that one room was able to house performers, art work, audience - even a clothing stall - without causing the warehouse to feel chaotic or claustrophobic.
With artists and musicians of all kinds on the bill, the party attracted the inevitable crowd of hipster ‘creatives.’ Asymmetrical haircuts and thick-rimmed glasses were in plentiful supply, and a large proportion of the guests could be seen nonchalantly wielding expensive-looking SLR cameras.
With a running time of seven-hours each day, and a limited space to play with, Blessing Force made every effort to keep guests entertained throughout. Several of the exhibits provided opportunities for audience interaction. For instance, for his multi-media installation, Dave Ma invited guests to participate in a series of portraits, taken on site, and to write messages exploring the hopes and fears that can come from recognising one’s place in the universe and the connectivity of all things.
Portraits and messages were then projected onto canvas, creating an unpredictable installation that evolved over the course of the weekend and - with its blend of humour and insightfulness - documented the personality of the event itself.
The fact that The Bookbinders is shortly to close as an events venue only strengthened the party’s enchanting feeling of exclusivity. It won’t be long before parties at the Bookbinders are a thing of the past, and Blessing Force, along with the myriad of artists and the enthusiastic audience, are to be congratulated for creating a truly spellbinding weekend that everyone involved in will look back on and smile.