From Monday 4th August, for one week, Manchester-based artistic duo Ben Kelly & Chris Bergin will be setting up camp in Kosmonaut as they create Shape & Verse: a live art installation that culminates in a unique illustrated mural that will be exhibited for one month.
Unlike any other exhibition at Kosmonaut, Ben and Chris will be creating the piece entirely on site and visitors are encouraged to come along and see the process and interact with the piece before it is mounted on the wall.
Spanning the entire length of the wall, the artwork will be created using six wooden boards on which Ben and Chris will combine unique styles of calligraphy and illustration to depict the poem ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’ by Dylan Thomas.
Influenced by their love of graffiti, design, typography and illustration they use a winning combination of paint, graffiti pens, markers, spray paints and stencils to combine both their skills into one aesthetic and explore and push the boundaries of legibility. The result will be an immersive decorative pattern that on closer look depicts a poem.
Ben and Chris said “We are really excited to be exhibiting in Kosmonaut, the bare brick walls and industrial style are a perfect back drop for our work and the bustling atmosphere will influence the way it develops.”
Pasta Paul, music and events co-ordinator for Kosmonaut comments “This is the first time we have had live art created in the bar and we are really looking forward to seeing guests interact with the artists and the art before it goes on the walls”.
Ben and Chris have designed for a range of fields from editorial design to clothing. This will be their first solo art exhibition. Shape & Verse launches on Friday 8th August, but come and visit the duo from Monday 4th August in Kosmonaut.
Shape & Verse: Live art installation and exhibition
By Ben Kelly & Chris Bergin
LIVE ART INSTALLATION: Monday 4th August-Friday 8th August
EXHIBITION: Friday 8th August – Friday 29th August
