We operate Design & Industries Association events and activities in the West of England. The majority of meetings take place in Bristol, Bath and some small local towns in the area. Events are held in a variety of locations to enable members, friends and interested parties to engage and that can be reached sustainabley.
Last year the Bristol Architecture Centre is hosted a major exhibition on 'Breuer in Bristol' which James Beighton, Curator at MIMA in Middlesbrough curated and worked in close partnership Max Gane, a descendant of Crofton Gane who gave Marcel Breuer one of his first commissions upon his arrival in Britain from Nazi Germany in the 1935' 'Breuer in Bristol' captured very successfully this extraordinary historical time. Crofton Gane was one of the founder members of the DIA in 1915 and the Western Region is now exploring with others the launch of a fund raising project to re-build the Gane Pavilion designed by Marcel Breuer.
The region is planning a 2011 programme that draws upon views expressed by members and other interested people. Some will focus on completed urban developments, the Cabot Circus Shopping Mall award winning retail centre, the National Trust Sustainable Headquarters in Swindon and the very contemporary Bath Bus Station designed by Wilkinson Eyre. In 2011 the Bath Holburne Museum new Gallery opens in May, designed by Eric Parry Architects, a controversial develoment which thankfully eventually won planning approval. It is intended to put in place visits to the Bristol Paintworks Small Business Centre, University of the West of England, the School of Architecture, Bath University and the Performing Arts Centres at Bath Spa University and City of Bath College during the year.
We are in discussion with Bath Spa University on the possibility of holding the bi-annual Gane Lecture on their campus.
Linked to visits, the Region is looking at Climate Change topics and approaching the Bristol Energy Saving Trust to see if the DIA can facilitate neighbourhood events for local people to learn how to make energy savings and to get help. A SW Design Review presentation at the Bristol Architecture Centre is another potential area.
Awards, prizes, support for those doing research or craftspeople and workshops in partnership with the Bristol Gane Trust are promoted and funded. The City of Bath College Annual £500 Fashion prize and the £1000 Student Travel Scholarship given by the Gane Trust to the School of Art & Design at Bath Spa University are now established. The University of the West of England School of Creative Arts and the Faculty of Life Sciences have launched their Gane Travel Scholarships this year and we are seeing how the student peer group project talks can become DIA events in 2011.The DIA is also examining with the Gane Trust the creation of awards of excellence for registered apprentices in the SW Region.
Do let us have your ideas and comments on how to make the region's activities stimulating and fun. Use the site or contact Peter Metcalfe pjmpma@aol.com or tel 01225 313249.