IKON ten year anniversary
This year, Ikon proudly celebrates its tenth anniversary in Brindleyplace. The iconic neo-gothic former school on Oozells Square is a Grade II listed building and was a focal point of the Brindleyplace development in the early 1990s. During this time, Ikon was searching for a new home as its old warehouse venue on John Bright Street had become too small and unable to suit visitor’s needs. The solution was a £33.7 million lottery grant and the support of the developers Argent plc. Ikon employed Levitt Bernstein Associates led by Axel Burrough and Paul Clark to convert the old school into a stunning, internationally recognised venue for contemporary art.
The architects actually turned one building into two, preserving the outside shell of the Victorian building and putting an entirely new, steel-framed gallery inside, creating 440 square metres of gallery space over two floors. The tower was rebuilt to its original design, skillfully re-worked from old photographs. In addition, a stunning glass lift and a stairway as well as a service lift clad in lead were built on to the outside of the building to allow for maximum exhibition space within. An innovation by British artist Tania Kovats was to set the building apart from its surroundings on a dramatic slate plinth.
Founded in 1963 by a small cooperative of artists, Ikon was first conceived of as a “gallery without walls”, a headquarters for a fluid artistic programme. In 1965 it took up residence in a glass-walled kiosk in the old Bullring precinct. Through its remarkable 45 year history, Ikon has proudly maintained the philosophy of its founders. One of the country’s most important galleries for international contemporary art, Ikon runs an award-winning and critically acclaimed programme in Brindleyplace, offsite across the city, a concentrated annual programme in Eastside and exhibitions which tour the UK and the world. A registered educational charity, Ikon provides unique experiences by creating an open and supportive platform that enables visitors to engage with, discuss and reflect on contemporary art. The gallery also works extensively with children and young people from disadvantaged areas, particularly those who are socially excluded or marginalised at school, to offer positive and powerful life-changing experiences.
This year, Ikon’s programme includes the first UK presentations of work by Swiss artists Lutz and Guggisberg, Pakistani artist Shahzia Sikander, Romanian artist Victor Man and a major survey exhibition by Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed. The building is fully accessible, admission is always free and from 28 May to 10 September, Ikon will be open late until 8pm every Wednesday with a series of special events. Family Saturdays take place on the first Saturday of every month and there is a full programme of free family events taking place over May Bank Holiday, 24-26 May, all are welcome. For more information visit http://www.ikongallery.co.uk