Case study: Making the most of... local opportunities to be in the spotlight

Creating new opportunities: Local programming in response to a major national touring show + International showcase for Desi Pubs.

When Hayward Gallery announced that the 5-year touring British Art Show would be visiting Wolverhampton for 4 months in early 2022, CBC set about engaging and supporting regional artists to respond to its themes. Over 30 artists were commissioned to produce new works across Wolverhampton.

Meanwhile our Desi Pubs project continues to live on with another international showcase.

OFFsite9

During 2021 Creative Black Country was awarded Arts Council funding to develop a local programme (OFFsite9) supporting artists to create work that would add value and compliment the main British Art Show 9 show in Wolverhampton.

OFFsite9 took centre stage in Wolverhampton from January to April 2022. The programme featured new works and commissions by creatives in the region who have occupied city spaces transforming them into exciting experiences.

With 22 creative commissions (by over 30 artists / creatives), people’s podcasts, tours, talks and collectable print, Offsite9 invited people to experience great art in Wolverhampton with and by local people.

Desi Pubs at the Venice Biennale

Our long-running Desi Pubs project was featured in the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Used as part of the British Pavilion's 'The Garden of Privatised Delights’, The Red Lion Desi Pub sign, commissioned by Creative Black Country, made its way to Venice after a request by design collective, The Decoratorswho have produced one of the Pavilion’s immersive rooms; Publicani (pictured above).

The Pavilion theme aimed to highlight unrealised opportunities in private spaces. Each room within the British Pavilion presented a new model for the future of public space through an immersive installation, designed to engage in the debate and ask: How we can use spaces differently? One such question was: Could the pub be more than a place for drinking and become a versatile centre for civic action? which has been tackled by The Decorators.

“When you step in to Publicani the familiar elements of the pub are still there; the carpet, the decor and the karaoke tell a hidden story of reuse and reinvention. The bar is designed to be different heights which brings people of all ages and walks of life together. A post box and plug sockets are embedded in to it allowing it to become a real community hub.” Manijeh Verghese, co-curator of the British Pavilion.

Parminder Dosanjh, Creative Director at Creative Black Country, said:

“We are thrilled that The Decorators have used the Desi Pubs of the Black Country as inspiration for Publicani at the British Pavilion. The Desi Pub story is the perfect example of how declining pubs have been reinvented by diaspora communities to turn the traditional British Pub into thriving community spaces.”