Darren Leader Studio

Chelsea Space is a compact but special exhibition space, perfect for visitors and the students of Chelsea College of Art. And here we are for ‘Use Hearing Protection’, an exhibition which gathers the early artefacts of Factory Records.

With Factory you immediately think of ground-breaking music and design, but this show displays the DIY items required to generate a local buzz around events and new record releases.

In the evening, we enjoyed an entertaining interview by Jon Savage with Peter Saville. Peter is always good value and it’s not always about Factory.

Tonight he shared a brilliant story about visiting a young George Michael in the recording studio. Peter was there to gather the copy required for Wham’s new single and was looking for the ‘adult in the room’ to confirm the details. But there was only George, who boldly told him, “Peter, the copy line is, ‘written, arranged and produced by George Michael'”. To which Peter spluttered, “FUCK OFF!!!”.

chelseaspace.org

I’m excited to have work selected for the forthcoming Design Manchester 19 exhibition ‘New Art School Rules’.

The challenge is to build upon Corita Kent’s original Art Department Rules for a new manifesto of creative practice for education and professional practices.

I’ve always enjoyed Corita’s work and especially these rules, which were a valuable reference during my time teaching at Norwich University of the Arts. Often the creative process can be over-complicated by procrastination and fear but by applying a system for interaction between tutor and student (or designer and creative director) work can be generated and progress efficiently from conception to completion.

But what was our system? I’ll let you know once the exhibition begins.

New Art School Rules at Bury Art Museum, 12 October–25 January 2020.