The
dual launch comes following a six-year, £4 million project and features
seven international artists who, through the ProjectBase collaboration,
present an exhibition called 'social systems' which will also appear at
Tate St Ives and in public areas of Penzance and St Ives.
Last
week onlookers in Penzance witnessed the switch-on of Peter Freeman's
dramatic lighting sculpture that will swathe the exterior of the new
Exchange building and from Saturday they will be able to explore the
spacious industrial interior.
The Exchange will be home to
Hassan Hajjaj's Moroccan chill-out room and a book-making workshop
created by Argentina's Eloisa Cartonera. The opening weekend will also
see Surasi Kusolwong's Open-Air Market (Come on Cornwall) outside The
Exchange where visitors and passers-by can see and buy hundreds of
plastic goods purchased from Bangkok street markets.
Builders are also putting the finishing touches to the 19th century Newlyn Art Gallery.
Its
classical Victorian top-lit gallery remains and is a central feature
for the space but extensions to the gallery have created a glass
pavilion on the seaward side that will house a specialist bookshop and
caf?? with additional seating in the secluded gallery garden.
Previous
Turner prize nominee Christine Borland has been building her exhibition
there this week, an unorthodox look at the medical world.
James
Green, director of The Exchange and Newlyn Art Gallery said: "This is
obviously a hectic week but there is a real sense of excitement and
anticipation building.
"The gallery's development has been a
very long time in the planning and to see these renowned international
artists starting to inhabit the galleries and bring their visions to
life is really exciting for all involved."
The launch of the
galleries has been sponsored by Cornish law firm Coodes Solicitors.
Partner Colin Hunter said: "Like Coodes, the gallery has firm
foundations locally. The opening of the Exchange and gallery extension
will bring exciting educational projects and contemporary art
exhibitions to Cornwall which are about drawing people into the world
of art."
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN