The Congegational Gallery in Rothbury has generously offered to have
Anna Corbett’s contribution to the project, on display.
Opening times are
Sat 10.30 – 4.30
Sun 11.30 – 4.30
Tel 01669 621900
Email info@thecongregational.org.uk
For more information see the website : http://www.congregational.org.uk
So much happening now the project is in full international touring mode. note from Beau 10th April 2013
”Dear Beau Beausoleil and Deema Shehabi,
On behalf of the Northern California Book Reviewers (NCBR), I am delighted to tell you that Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here (and the Al-Mutanabbi Street Project) has been selected for the Northern California Book Award’s NCBR Recognition Award (for a notable 2012 book, literary organization, or project that falls outside of our usual categories). Congratulations!”
The al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here coalition has been described as a literary bridge to Baghdad, the project will be arriving at Newcastle’s Lit & Phil in August 2013.
The project marks the bombing in 2007 of al-Mutanabbi street in Baghdad. The street of cafes, book sellers and stationers. A cultural quarter for over 500 years. The project consists of nearly 260 artist’s books made by contributors from around the world in a response to the devastating destruction of lives by the car bombing. One hundred and thirty people were killed and maimed as a result of the bombing. The al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here project is very close to receiving 260 books, twice the number of people killed and maimed. The project needs 15 more books to reach the target of 260. Sarah Bodman, UWE has created a link with further details for anyone else wanting to get involved. The project will be arriving at the Lit & Phil in August 2013 when a series of events and projects will accompany the exhibition, more details to follow shortly.
Good introduction to the 3 facets to the al-Mutanabbi Project by Cathy DeForest
An excellent article about the projects future plans in Europe for 2013, in the Economist with a link to a prize-winning documentary shot before and after the bombing called “A Candle for the Shahbandar Café”. Take a look.
A recent email (july 2012) from Beau….
“My good friend, Summer Brenner (an al-Mutanabbi street poet) sent this video link to some of her friends the other day. The more that I looked and listened to it, the more it seemed an apt metaphor for this project. The slow gathering of accomplished artists in the midst of the everyday, the layering of their effort, and the ultimate strength of all of them together reminded me of all of you.” {Beau}
The Al-Mutanabbi Street Coalition Project was formed as a protest and a commemoration to those that were killed or injured in the car bombing on March 5th 2007 in al-Mutanabbi Street in Baghdad. The street is the historical centre of Baghdad bookselling and is the heart and soul of the Baghdad literary and intellectual community.
The coalition is headed by Beau Beausoleil, based in San Francisco, who initiated the project and called for a total of 130 Broadsides (the number representing those killed or injured) to be contributed by artists internationally to raise money for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). The Al-Mutanabbi Street Broadside Project now holds the work of printers from the United States, the U.K., Canada, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and France.
- Henry Hetherington , a radical British publisher from 1820′s refused to pay the governments stamp duty on print. This tax was aimed at restricting the circulation of pamphlets and newspapers, a law that was brought in soon after the Peterloo Massacre of 1819.
The Tower celebrates traditional bookbinding techniques and connects the universal and cultural condition of creating physical and ethereal icons.
Inside pages from The Tower by Theresa Easton
The Tower refers to the Tower of Babel and the myths surrounding the ancient city. Closer to home, North East landmarks fuse with ancient ziggurats, bridging the gap between past and present.
Just some of the books coming to the Lit & Phil in August 2013……….
