Art Exchange at the Heart of Regeneration

A ‘big brother’ style art project, which has transformed a disused clothing factory in an historic part of Sunderland city centre, will be exhibited this month.

Artist groups rednile Projects Ltd in Sunderland and Kangaroo Kourt in Bristol have joined forces for Artcast. The two groups are taking part in an artist exchange programme, spending time in each other’s temporary project space, which is recorded and broadcast over the internet on a daily basis.

In Sunderland the project has been taking place in 56 Nile Street, Sunniside. Sunniside is currently benefiting from a major regeneration scheme, helping the area to establish itself as the fashionable, cultural, thriving sector it once.

During the past week (June 26 – 29) the residency has been open to the public to go along and watch the artists first hand and chat to them about the project.

The work created in Nile Street will be an exciting mixture of sculpture, drawing, video work and performances. An exhibition featuring the new work will run in Nile Street from July 7 to 14 from 10am to 4pm. Edited film footage will also be projected, serving as a physical impression, or cast, of the artists’ and audiences’ activity.

Founder of rednile, Michael Branthwaite, said: “We are extremely grateful to all the organisations that have supported us in this project, including Sunniside Partnership, northern Developments, Arts & Business, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, the National Glass Centre and Sunderland Media Lab.

“Nile Street contains a wealth of inspiration to artists and is an example of the different elements that form a community. In time, the street will be developed and become part of the cultural quarter. It is this aspect of change, transgression and civic design that makes Sunniside and Nile Street an interesting place for artist to practice.”

Councillor Bob Symonds, Chairman of Sunniside Partnership, said: “The Partnership is happy to support this exciting and innovative project.

“Sunniside is currently undergoing a huge transformation and art projects such as these are key to the area achieving its status as an accessible cultural quarter.”

The daily video casts are available to view on http://www.rednile.org and http://www.kangarookourtart.com