12 April — 10 May 2009

Wysing presented As long as it lasts by Simon and Tom Bloor, curated by Gavin Wade; a body of new works inspired by the artists’ interest in modernist sculpture and flawed utopias.

The Bloors produced a series of new sculptures as unrealised proposals for public artworks inspired by the concrete ‘play sculptures’ of artists Bryan Blumer (1925-1981) and John Bridgeman (1916-2004), commissioned in the 1960s by the City of Birmingham Public Works Department as part of the landscaping schemes for the new housing estates and redevelopment areas in the city. The Bloors’ interest in the utopian potential and the failed reality of such development projects has further led to the use of sculptural elements within the exhibition.

Echoing civic parks, urban waste grounds and regeneration zones, the works in the show explored layers of urban play by alluding to young peoples’ custom of colonising open spaces, claiming them as extensions of play areas and hangouts.

For Wysing, the exhibition both reflected its pursuit of an artist’s utopia; through studios, artists support programmes, and international residencies and retreats, and reflected Wysing’s growing collection of structures located on its eleven acre site.

A limited edition A2 silkscreen print by Simon and Tom Bloor accompanied the exhibition.
Edition 6, price £100 unframed.

A catalogue supported by The Elephant Trust was also available during the exhibition.
Exhibition organised by Eastside Projects, Birmingham.

An artist talk accompanied the exhibition.