Brit Cult Festival / Gilbert & George

According to the writer Michael Bracewell, Jack Freak Pictures comprise the single largest group of pictures that Gilbert & George have ever created. It is a monumental presentation of art, at once thematically episodic, confluent in motif and temper, and densely layered with emotional meaning. One pictorial element, however, the red, white and blue design of the Union Jack flag (itself an abstract, geometric pattern) appears to dominate this vivid and disquieting group. Strident, even jocular, this internationally recognized symbol, in all its connotations, from national pride and pageantry to Pop-cultural cool and civic disobedience, transmits its resonance across myriad social and cultural frequencies. Its historic and symbolic presence serves as both heart and spine of the Jack Freak Pictures, at once declamatory, iconic, multi-layered and irrefutable.

The exhibition is organised in cooperation with British Council. Gilbert & George themselves have selected the pictures to be presented, designed the exhibition and are responsible for its merit concept.Jack Freak Pictures presentation in Gdansk will consist of 39 pictures and will take up the whole exhibition space of CCA Laznia.

The exhibition of Gilbert & George has become a pretext to present British culture in a slightly wider context. In order to achieve it, we have decided to organise BRIT CULT FESTIVAL in November and December 2011. Through a series of cultural events accompanying the exhibition we aim to show the most interesting phenomena of contemporary art and British culture, focus on its language, current trends, tendencies, and directions. Our goal is to present the art of established artists as well as the immense potential of the young generation. We would make an attempt at bringing Polish public closer to British arts.

The festival is mainly about getting to know British arts, culture, identity, nature of the nation and investigating if the cliché, sometimes caricature-like image of a typical Brit is anywhere near the reality. Gilbert & George approach the subject with deadly seriousness and humour but at the same time they are sympathetic and thoughtful. Concentrating on the symbols, traditions, national icons—and through juggling with forms and conventions—they make the viewers think deeply about the human nature and philosophy of life. We would like to follow these tracks, or even go one step further, and have a closer look at contemporary British culture, explore visual arts, music and film—often in reference or comparison to art of Gilbert & George.

EVENTS PROGRAMME:

10 November OPENING OF GILBERT & GEORGE'S JACK FREAK PICTURES EXHIBITION

11 November GILBERT & GEORGE TALK WITH TIM MARLOW

12–18 November MAPPING MEMORIES AND NEW DISCOVERIES – workshops with Sarah Marsh www.evelynarts.co.uk

19 November CUT HANDS – experimental music concert www.myspace.com/cuthands

25– 26 November BAA! BEST OF BRITISH ANIMATION – screenings of the best British animations (1994–2010)www.britishanimationawards.com

1 December PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS AN OBJECT - British avant-garde video preview (from the collection of LUX arts agency) with a lecture by Gil Leung www.lux.org.uk

2 December WHY NOT IN THE STREET? – streetart talk with STIK and Iwona Zajac www.stik.org.uk

6–10 December SPACE FEST! – shoegaze, space-rock and alternative music festival and workshops. spacefest.pl

Brit Cult Festival
 Gilbert & George 
Kurator: Anna Szynwelska