Created in Birmingham

As One (or AsOne or AS1, depending) is one of the more prolific graf and sticker hounds around town. If you’ve ever wandered around Digbeth you’ll have seen his stuff – often evangelising the benefits of a nice cuppa.

You’ll also see designs/illustrations for nights at the Rainbow and if you see half a skateboard tied to a lamppost then chances are that’s AS1 too.

This here wall is a recent edition to Digbeth’s landscape and was done with Tempo33:

Covering walls in public places can’t be easy, but apparently (and here’s a tip):

no-one sees past a high vis jacket and a purposeful look….

The latest stage of Capsule‘s West Mids heavy metal legacy project, Home of Metal,  is a launch at big music bash SXSW. Here’s the invite that’s been sent out:

If you’re in the area it might be worth popping in. If not, I reckon it’s just nice to know how these things are being pushed on.

• Birmingham Post – BBC confirms plans to axe radio stations Asian Network
  The Beeb are closing the Birmingham-based Asian Network, which is a shame. Although more people seem peeved at them shutting down that London-based station that plays Elbow all the time
• Why The BBC Asian Network Still Scratches My Niche
  Defence of the Asian Network via Punch Records, asking folks to sign a petition to stop the BBC cuts
• 38 Degrees | Stand up for the BBC – Stop the cuts
  “To the BBC Trust: Please don’t slash the BBC’s website, radio, and TV programme” Here’s the petition
• Some link for February 21st through to March 2nd | Birmingham Conservation Trust
  I’m linking to a round-up of links here. Good ones though, with stuff about MADE’s lecture series, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and a website based on digitised material about the development of the Industrial Revolution in the West Mids
• Happy Birthday ANLO!
  “A Night Less Ordinary, The Arts Council’s FREE tickets for young people scheme, celebrates its first Birthday this month. To help celebrate, The REP is offering an entire week of FREE theatre for people aged 14 to 26 in addition to our usual FREE Friday offer”
• New Studio Facility for Rare
  Rare are opening a big studio in Digbeth. They make games for Microsoft and are soon to start making them directly under the CiB office! Expect the number of posts here to dwindle from April onwards…

Ooh, it’s a compelling title. They’re not so secret as to not invite people though:

Join us at the Solihull Arts Complex this spring and delve into a secret library of contemporary artists’ books with an exhibition dedicated to the genre.

Artists’ books and book works, installation and book-related performances will all be showcased

The Secret Library will open on 8 March and loiter inconspicuously until 8 May. Artists involved include Earle D. Swope, Francis Elliott and Cas Serafin, Frans Baake, Jackie Batey, Jatinder Bains, John Bently, Mike Nicholson, Paul Laidler, Sally Alatalo, Sarah Bodman, Sarah Noreen, Simon Goode, Stephen Fowler, Tom Sowden.

There’ll be a Solihull Artists’ Book fair on 20 March too, featuring those who work in book arts and related disciplines (illustrators, publishers, etc). Lined up for that so far are Alix Swan, Artist Book Collective @ BIAD, Catalogue of Concern, David Lasnier, Emma Hardicker, Hoi Polloi, Karoline Rerrie, Lindsay Jenkinson | Gemma Frearson, Rag-and-Bone Shop Books, The Yellow Door Bindery, [insertspace].

DJ and Wordsmith Charlie Jordan, fresh from her West Bromwich Albion poetry residency, with team mates Byron Vincent, Matt Windle & Dan Cullen – refereed by Jo Bell. Live Entertainment kicks off 7.30pm.

West Brom Words is some poetry and spoken word goodness at the Library Theatre on 25 March.

Says here tickets are free and only available on the door.

• A Conversation with Government – Help!
  On Weds, Clare Edwards is off to “a 90 minute session to tell Government how they can better help creative entrepreneurs and where things are working and where are they failing”. Suggestions welcomed
• Introducing-DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing-Live | Hare and Hounds
  “Full 10 piece live band perform DJ Shadows classic album – “Endtroducing””. Looks interesting
• Lots Of Things To See And Do In The West Midlands: March 2010 « Oh. (Russ L wishes you way more than luck)
  “The theme of the month definitely seems to be “motion pictures””. Russ cherrypicks the pick of the cherries
• Postcard from South Africa – Reloaded |
  The film of the seminar. I turned up late to this and completely missed it. People were saying good things though
• Area Culture Guide 06 « Area Culture Guide
  “The latest edition of the Area Culture Guide is out now for March 2010″
• We Are Eastside | Birmingham
  Ooh, tasty. “Welcome to We Are Eastside; your guide to the organisations that host and produce bold new work across film, digital media, crafts, music, visual arts, literature and photography all based in Eastside, Birmingham, UK”

This arrived in my inbox a little while ago:

Being an obedient sort, I went to the website and it seems that, having had a few months to settle into their new roles, Laura and Harun, the new co-artistic directors of Fierce are starting to let their influence hang out.

Their blog’s up and running and has a few interesting bits n bobs on it already. Harun has compiled a list of Thoughts, recollections and impressions of a city new to me (well, him) and there’s a joint post mulling the role of arts festivals generally which includes this observation:

it is increasingly the case that performance and music festivals operate as informal touring circuits; with one successful show passed like a baton from festival to festival. Although this may serve the reputation of a particular show, is this the role of a festival?